ESA question regarding DLA

aleisha2k5

I recently had an ESA medical with ATOS. I passed and was put into the support group.

However when I applied for DLA (after medical) they denied my claim due to ESA medical report?

I'm confused as to how, all my issues where brought up in the medical and I passed so the doctor must have believed me and rightly so!! ... I was worried as I heard all the bad stories about ESA medicals but luckily I didn't have to appeal and got put straight onto ESA income based support group.

Surely there should be at least some of my symptoms on the report?
Can I ask for a copy of the report even though I passed it?

x

only_mee

As you know DLA is about care and mobilty if you don't meet the criteria you don't get it.
I was the opposite, I failed my esa (appealing) but got HRM and LRC when i renewed my DLA a month later

aleisha2k5

Yes I totally understand that but I do need help with things.

I suffer from Crohn's and Have side effects from 3 years on steroid treatment because its so out of control. Having a bone density scan ASAP (on waiting list) . I sturggle with stand and walking alot, with a constant bruise down my spine that is extremely tender.
I also now have become depressed because of my illness stopping me for living any sort of normality of life at the moment... I've not only had to give up work I've had to completely close my own company down (only small) because I just couldn't cope with everything going on.

What annoys me it the reasons on my refusal letter are wrong.
Things like I dont get up in the night, I clearly stated I wake up and need help 3-5 times a night, I havnt slept for long than 3 hours at anyone time over the past year.
My refusal letter is so contradicting, I just don't know what to do now? should I appeal and take the long battle or just not bother as I don't have the right mind set to fight it, I'm just to ill to have to deal with it all.

nannytone_2

as above.
the criteria for ESA and DLA are very different.
i was put onto ESA without the need for a face to face medical ( new claim... not transferred from IB) yet i only receive lrc and lrm DLA

aleisha2k5

As I replied I totally understand that, but what I'm saying is I do need help with things, My corhn's ATM is so bad that I'm only 5ft1 - 44.2kg and have to take 2x 30/500 to stop the pain and even then they only last about 1hour before my body throws them out of my system.

I'm having so many problems at the moment that my GP and Specialist both agreed and wrote letter supporting my claim, yet they went off my ESA medical and not the full blown hospital reports and supporting letters etc.. that I sent in.

I would love to know what the woman wrote on my esa form because in the medical I stated why I feel I can not work but also Stated things I need help with... my medical took 2hours!!! as to which I had to end because of several toilet needs and In tears due to pain in my back etc..

nannytone_2

i'm fairly lucky with regards to DLA *if you can call it lucky!)
i am registered blind and so there can be no disputing that i have difficulties.
i also have other issues that i dont even put on the form. sizewise, you are about the same as me, but i dont really see that size is relevant. it doesnt impact on care or mobility.
i think you may be concentrating in the wrong area.
it is irrelevant how much medication you need, or how often you need it.
if you are capable os taking it by yourself, then it doesnt show any need.

did you get help completing your forms?

epitome

Yes you can ask for ESA ATOS report
Yes you can ask for ESA statement of reasons
Yes you can ask for DLA statement of reasons
Yes you can appeal DLA, familiarise yourself with the DLA descriptors ASAP.

aleisha2k5

epitome wrote: »

Yes you can appeal DLA, familiarise yourself with the DLA descriptors ASAP.

I did and I believe I pass quite a few of them, It seems like the woman had read the form and completely ignore anything on there.

aleisha2k5

nannytone wrote: »

i'm fairly lucky with regards to DLA *if you can call it lucky!)
i am registered blind and so there can be no disputing that i have difficulties.
i also have other issues that i dont even put on the form. sizewise, you are about the same as me, but i dont really see that size is relevant. it doesnt impact on care or mobility.
i think you may be concentrating in the wrong area.
it is irrelevant how much medication you need, or how often you need it.
if you are capable os taking it by yourself, then it doesnt show any need.

did you get help completing your forms?

No what I meant it that its a really high dosage of pain killers for someone of my size (I wear 12-13AGE clothes) sometimes Im luckyl i can get into a 6.

No I didnt get help I filled them in myself. These are some examples of what i put on my form.


Your Condition
Walking Outdoors
Do you have physical problems walking?
Yes

If you have an amputation, please tell us the level
of the amputation
I have no amputated limbs

Tell us about anything you use to help you walk.
Link arms with another person for support.

If the effort of walking would be dangerous for you,
tell us about this.
Movement itself makes my illness worse, I find I
get more unexpected outbursts of pain and urgent
needs for the toilet whilst walking which can sometimes lead to incontinence. Sometimes whilst experiencing pain my legs feel dead/numb and frequently causes me to fall.
Also suffer with pain in my back that is made worse
by walking, I also suffer with anaemia which makes
me very fatigued and even the shortest of walks
exhaust me. I have developed anal fistula that
cause great pain when walking.

Tell us roughly how far you can walk before you feel severe discomfort
roughly 160mtrs

Tell us how long on average it takes you to walk
this far
for the 1st 50m average speed after 50m slow

How many days a week do you have this amount
of difficulty walking?
5



Even after that being my EXACT answer, the letter said I did get any award because,
I dont need help outdoors,
I can walk with no problems,
Have no risk of falling,
I can walk over 100meter in a reasonable manner.
I don't need anyone to guide or supervise me,
dont suffer dizzy spells or fits (which i do and explained later on in the form)
don't need comforting or reassurance.

nannytone_2

i umderstand that it is a high dosage for your sixe. but unless you need help with taking the medication ... then they wont consider this an issue.

with DLA forms, the devil is in the detail. it isnt enough to just say what problems you have. you need to tell them exactly what the issues are, and what help you need to resolve these issue.
saying you have pain isnt enough.
what does the pain stop you doing for yourself that you otherwise could?

can you cook yourself a meal? if not, then why not?
can you wash yourself?
if not , then why not?

it isnt enough to say you #cant' do something.
i am registered blind. it isnt enough just to say i need someone with me when outdoors.
i have to tell them WHY.
i dont see kerbs or jazards. i dont see other people. i cant see cars when trying to cross the road ....

you have to point everything out in detail

aleisha2k5

so do you have any advice as to what to do next please? x