ESA has been discontinued, don't know what will happen

gramochroi

A couple of months ago, I had a battle to be transferred from contribution based to income related ESA, which really exhausted me. During the same period I was called for a medical assessment. Today I received a letter to say that my ESA has been discontinued and I should apply for Job Seeker's Allowance.

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years and had a complete breakdown in 1994. Although my depression is not as bad now as then (suicidal, etc) I still don't know when it's going to strike and when it does, I almost totally shut down, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a week or more. My anxiety is still an almost daily companion and makes it difficult for me in certain circumstances.

I had previously been listed as having a limited capability to work and was in a work focus group, although have been waiting seven months for some training.

I explained all this to the lady I saw at my assessment. However, she chose in her report to only relay how I operated on my good days. I am totally worn out having to battle all the time and don't know how many times I can do it. I worked for 25yrs without a break before I became ill and find this begging for money really demeaning.

benefitbaby

I'm so sorry to hear you have been assessed as 'fit for work' you need to consider putting in an appeal and seeking help from a CAB to do so (this should help reduce some of the stress). As long as you continue to provide sick notes (Med3) you can be paid ESA at the assessment rate whilst the appeal is pending.

rogerblack

First thing - ring up and request a copy of the medical report.
Second - make a written appeal - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gl24-if-you-think-our-decision-is-wrong

You can include extra letters or sheets if the boxes on the form aren't large enough.
Include with your written appeal a sick/fit-note from your doctor backdated to the date of the decision that you were not entitled.
This will restart your ESA, at the assessment rate (same as JSA).

jacques_chirac

gramochroi wrote: »

A couple of months ago, I had a battle to be transferred from contribution based to income related ESA, which really exhausted me. During the same period I was called for a medical assessment. Today I received a letter to say that my ESA has been discontinued and I should apply for Job Seeker's Allowance.

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years and had a complete breakdown in 1994. Although my depression is not as bad now as then (suicidal, etc) I still don't know when it's going to strike and when it does, I almost totally shut down, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a week or more. My anxiety is still an almost daily companion and makes it difficult for me in certain circumstances.

I had previously been listed as having a limited capability to work and was in a work focus group, although have been waiting seven months for some training.

I explained all this to the lady I saw at my assessment. However, she chose in her report to only relay how I operated on my good days. I am totally worn out having to battle all the time and don't know how many times I can do it. I worked for 25yrs without a break before I became ill and find this begging for money really demeaning.

Given how much your condition has improved, would this be a good time to look at returning to work? Work can be therapeutic for those with mild to moderate depression.

Have you looked at cognitive behavioural therapy to help you manage your anxiety?

gramochroi

Thanks to all for your responses. Re medical certs, have never had to submit any before?

Jacques, the purpose of my going into the work related group was to get some training and start doing at least some part time work in the first instance and when I am feeling not too bad can be quite excited at the prospect. I really want to be well enough to work and be self sufficient as I have been from 15yrs of age until I became really ill. However, when I have what I call a grey or black day, I wonder how would I ever explain even to a part time employer that I might need a day, couple of days, week or more off because I am unwell. It's the unpredictability which makes it so frightening for my long term future.

Dunroamin

gramochroi wrote: »

Thanks to all for your responses. Re medical certs, have never had to submit any before?

Jacques, the purpose of my going into the work related group was to get some training and start doing at least some part time work in the first instance and when I am feeling not too bad can be quite excited at the prospect. I really want to be well enough to work and be self sufficient as I have been from 15yrs of age until I became really ill. However, when I have what I call a grey or black day, I wonder how would I ever explain even to a part time employer that I might need a day, couple of days, week or more off because I am unwell. It's the unpredictability which makes it so frightening for my long term future.

I think that the suggestion is that you might stop having bad days if you are at work - the fact that you still have them might be because you have time on your hands to dwell on things.

[Deleted User]

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Given how much your condition has improved, would this be a good time to look at returning to work? Work can be therapeutic for those with mild to moderate depression.

Have you looked at cognitive behavioural therapy to help you manage your anxiety?

you sound like irratable duncan smith and his "work sets you free" statement

gramochroi

Jacques and Dunroamin, I have to say I find your comments quite patronising. I have a mental illness. Thank God I do not have a mental handicap, I can reason and have been thought quite intelligent in my time. No matter how many times I try to "kick myself up the backside", tell myself there are so many people so much worse off, etc., if I have a depressive period, nothing changes it, the only positive I have is that, although I do not always feel it coming on, I know that when I'm there it won't last forever.

Dunroamin

gramochroi wrote: »

Jacques and Dunroamin, I have to say I find your comments quite patronising. I have a mental illness. Thank God I do not have a mental handicap, I can reason and have been thought quite intelligent in my time. No matter how many times I try to "kick myself up the backside", tell myself there are so many people so much worse off, etc., if I have a depressive period, nothing changes it, the only positive I have is that, although I do not always feel it coming on, I know that when I'm there it won't last forever.

You've misunderstood me, I'm afraid.

I took early retirement from one career because of depression, have worked with many people who also have it and I know that I was much better when I returned to work, as were most of my clients.

If you're using not working as a means of treatment and you're still depressed then it suggests to me that this method isn't working and it might be time to try another approach. To say that you can't work because you'll have to take time off misses the point but I appreciate that you can't always think clearly when you're ill.

gramochroi

Thanks, I understand what you're saying, but I'm not using being unemployed as a means of treatment. When I'm well, even if I'm anxious, I help with a local old people's charity, run functions for my local golf club, walk my dogs, live a normal life within paramaters which those who know me understand to some degree. But so many times, I have had to withdraw from things I've worked hard for a few weeks on, leaving others to carry the can. It's not as if I don't want to or don't push myself as hard as possible, just sometimes, as I said, it all closes down and becomes impossible. I don't know that I will ever find an employer who will put up with that.

Dunroamin

I'm afraid that the difficulty of finding a job with a health problem isn't a reason for claiming ESA.