ESA Confused need advice

tillyboo_2

I am looking for some advice please. I have been receiving ESA for just over 2 years. I had worked all of my life and became ill. I had to have surgery, which lead to my becoming depressed and suffering severe anxiety attacks. I have been treated by my own GP for this. When I had an ATOS Medical, I failed. I appealed and won, I didn't have to attend the hearing as they had enough supporting evidence from my GP. I was placed in something called Work Related Group. I never queried it, as I was so sick and terrified of not having any income. Since all of this in the last 9 months, I suffered a serious fall and fractured 2 vertabra and injured my lumbar area of my spine. I'm now waiting for for spinal surgery. I have just received a letter from the Job centre saying I have a work related interview, this will be the 3rd one. I rung and explained my situation again and this time the girl on the phone said she thought I was in the wrong group, that she would have to inform Belfast? I'm totally confused and scared. She said I would be getting some forms in a couple of months and that I might have to go for another ATOS medical. Which I could not go through the horror and hell as I did before. I'm at my wits end, I dont know who to ring or whats going to happen. I'm 50 years old and started work at 16 and had always worked. But since I became unwell I feel like a criminal. I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

Torry_Quine

You can be reassessed at any time between 3 months and 3 years while on ESA so having been on it for two years that is perfectly normal.

It will be the same ESA 50 form as before with the possibility of a 'medical' if not enough information. The WRAG which you ae currently in means that you do have to attend WFIs or face sanctions. If you were to get into the support group then you wouldn't have to attend these.

tillyboo_2

Many thanks for your reply. My family help me as much as possible. As I cannot face the prospect of another medical, which was such an awful experience and then the whole appeal process, to be told the appeal had been upheld ( that took the best part of a year). Do you know if I claim housing benefit/council tax benefit without the ESA? My ex husband & family are prepared to help me financially, but my rent is the main issue. If my ex husband paid me maintenance, could I still receive housing help? Then I wouldn't have the worry of ESA and I could undergo my surgery and try to get back to a normal life, in my own time, without the worry of being chased by ESA. Sorry, I really have very little understanding of benefits and the system and I'm too scared to ask them for advice directly. I dont even know if my benefit will be paid now, as I'm waiting for forms to come through, as per the telephone interview with the advisor on Friday. So confused..

Torry_Quine

tillyboo wrote: »

Many thanks for your reply. My family help me as much as possible. As I cannot face the prospect of another medical, which was such an awful experience and then the whole appeal process, to be told the appeal had been upheld ( that took the best part of a year). Do you know if I claim housing benefit/council tax benefit without the ESA? My ex husband & family are prepared to help me financially, but my rent is the main issue. If my ex husband paid me maintenance, could I still receive housing help? Then I wouldn't have the worry of ESA and I could undergo my surgery and try to get back to a normal life, in my own time, without the worry of being chased by ESA. Sorry, I really have very little understanding of benefits and the system and I'm too scared to ask them for advice directly. I dont even know if my benefit will be paid now, as I'm waiting for forms to come through, as per the telephone interview with the advisor on Friday. So confused..

I'm not entirely sure but I think that housing/council tax benefit would still be payable without ESA.

Your ESA will continue to be paid until such time as the claim is ended either by failing an assessement or you not continuing with a claim

benefitbaby

I would like to encourage you to continue with the claim but this time when you get the ESA50 form for reassessment you should get help with the form from an advice agency like CAB as they do understand the benefits rules/law and can assist you, they will also be able to tell you if you qualify for the support group of ESA, this should help relieve some of the pressure and anxiety.

tillyboo_2

Thank you all for replies, very much appreciated. At this stage, I dont really know what to do. I will have my surgery and hope the reassessment does not clash. Its bad enough being ill, but being hounded to do things that I'm not able to do makes it worse. Thanks again.