Can I get ESA for my anxiety and depression

Jess12

Yeah I still have a contract with the company and have been asked to get better before heading back to work. Manager also said to try and get ESA as my spp had run out.

TELLIT01

Jess12 wrote: »

Yeah I still have a contract with the company and have been asked to get better before heading back to work. Manager also said to try and get ESA as my spp had run out.

Jess, there is a difference between still having a contract and actually doing work for the company and being paid. Having a contract is not a problem, but if you are continuing to do any work you will need to get it approved on ESA.

SomeRandomGuy

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Would you care to explain what the hoops are that have to be jumped through to claim ESA? The only requirement to make a claim is a medical certificate (Fit Note) from your GP.

Past the first few weeks there is the limited work capability assessment and all the other criteria you have to fulfil to get ESA ongoing. Last time I checked it wasn't as simple as handing in a GP fit note and waiting for the ESA payment to hit your bank. The form for ESA is about 20 pages alone and then you will need supporting medical evidence and will most likely be called for a medical too. They don't really care what diagnosis you have it is how your illness or disability stops you from working they try and score you on.

Idontlikeusernames wrote: »

I have been clinically depressed since I was 13, tried all the medication, it's useless. I have to hold down a full time job with no benefits.

Depression is a horrible illness but it doesn't stop you from being able to work.

Good for you but you are one person with one experience of an illness. You should not make a sweeping statement like that because other people will be affected differently and may be unable to work. Some people with severe depression are not self-sufficient, cannot work and may even end up in hospital or supported living. .

Also many other factors come into play, it isn't as simple as someone has X diagnosis and therefore they are capable or Y activity. Perhaps OP has the most severe kind of depression or compounding physical and social problems.

TELLIT01

SomeRandomGuy wrote: »

Past the first few weeks there is the limited work capability assessment and all the other criteria you have to fulfil to get ESA ongoing. Last time I checked it wasn't as simple as handing in a GP fit note and waiting for the ESA payment to hit your bank. The form for ESA is about 20 pages alone and then you will need supporting medical evidence and will most likely be called for a medical too. They don't really care what diagnosis you have it is how your illness or disability stops you from working they try and score you on.

"Past the first few weeks..." is not the same thing as making a valid claim to ESA.
Most ESA claims are made over the phone, although an ESA1 can be sent out if required. The medical assessment is not made at the start of the claim, so it really is as easy as make the claim and send in a Fit Note in order to get payment at the assessment phase.
Wrongly claiming that there are hoops to jump through simply to claim ESA are misleading and could put people off from making a claim in the first place.
At some point, and it should be in the first 13 weeks, a claimant will be asked for more medical evidence either simply from completing the ESA50 or by also being called to a medical assessment. On the basis of that information a decision is made on whether the claimant has entitlement to be moved to the WRAG / Support Group, or whether the incapacity is not enough for them to continue claiming ESA. That is very different to 'jumping through hoops' to claim.
Every claim is different. The experience of one person doesn't mean another person with the same list of incapacities will have the same outcome as another. Severity and effect on the person's day to day life are obvious factors which differ.
To use an extreme example, a Fit Note may state "Spinal Fracture", that could mean anything from a chipped vertebra to a broken neck and paraplegia.

[Deleted User]

My son has ASD and is being assessed for ADHD, anxiety and depression. We received the work capability form 13 weeks after starting the ESA claim. I filled it in for him, explaining exactly how his symptoms stopped him working and he was transferred to full ESA (support group) without even having a face to face medical. We did, however have a diagnosis, he has a social worker who provided evidence etc. His condition is mostly psychological/social but I was surprised how it went.

Do you just see your GP? Have you a reasonably recent assessment from a consultant? If you don't, I'd advise you to ask for a referral. It will help.