upcoming ESA assessment. going alone

dan99

I just got a letter saying if i want to continue getting ESA i have to attend the assessment in Peterborough a 50 minute bus ride from my house. The thing is my foster mum filled the forms in last time and i got put in the support group, I have learning difficulties and anxiety and depression. I was statemented and got onto ESA after leaving a foundation skills course at collage. I have since fallen out with my foster parents and not spoke to them for nearly 2 years and have little contact with my aftercare social worker because he's rubbish. I have nobody to go with me, my learning difficuites are from school reports nothing from a doctor. i'm worried i'm going to lose my benefits and go on job seekers and attend the jobcente weekely. i'm not very good with filling forms in. what can i do?

teddysmum

You may actually find that you like working.

IAmWales

If you're able to make the journey you should do so. How do you get around, do shopping etc currently?

Have you thought about what work might be suitable for you? Your writing skills are very good. You could try voluntary work (if you don't do it already) as a stepping stone.

Muttleythefrog

I would be inclined to try to contact regarding the appointment and find out if they can make one closer. Attending it is important... so they can re-assess your entitlement to ESA. Ideally you would have some support through this and with any form filling (quite possibly you've already been sent an ESA50 form to return to the DWP). It is possible (but certainly not guaranteed) that you'll continue to get ESA for the same reasons as currently... it would help in that regard if you knew why you were placed in the Support Group. Take any evidence you can to the assessment and especially if you haven't recently supplied it with a returned ESA50 form. Things that confirm your disablements and illnesses and their effects could be helpful. But my concern here is your lack of support... even someone involved in your care who you feel isn't that useful may prove to be.

Muttleythefrog

teddysmum wrote: »

You may actually find that you like working.

With due respect.... we are talking about someone currently regarded as having limited capability for work related activity and work. There's no indication here they've had some recovery in their conditions since that award and so it seems best advice that they pursue maintaining this benefit and then consider working if appropriate.. possibly even work permitted while getting the benefit. To go off that track sounds risky... especially given the information we know and the lack of support they seem to currently have. Key I think we remember in back of our minds is that there are claimants out there getting ESA not because of what we may perceive to be classical disablements that place barriers to some work but that they may have substantial risks associated with being in a work environment. That may or may not be relevant here.. probably not... but I wouldn't want to take the risk from this distance.

Alice_Holt

If travelling by public transport would cause you extreme anxiety, it may be worth telephoning the assessment centre and seeing if they would re-reimburse taxi costs.
See: https://www.chdauk.co.uk/faq/your-assessment/will-i-be-able-claim-my-travel-expenses
"If you need to travel by taxi because you cannot use public transport or do not have the use of a car, please tell us as this needs to be agreed by the assessment centre. If you can only travel by taxi, you must telephone us our Enquiries line before the assessment on 0800 288 8777. A Healthcare Professional will consider your request."

Some info on the assessment here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-medicals

It's helpful to be aware of the ESA points scoring system:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/start-the-esa-test
and take some notes / examples around the descriptors you can't do reliably, so you can explain things fully to the assessor.

Don't take more medication than normal (i.e. to cope with anxiety or pain).

Good luck.

Muttleythefrog

Alice_Holt wrote: »

If travelling by public transport would cause you extreme anxiety, it may be worth telephoning the assessment centre and seeing if they would re-reimburse taxi costs.

Thank the lord for you... I knew there was something I should have said but several circuits around my house and I still couldn't find it in my head.