Living as a recluse and claiming ESA

Kris35

Hi there. Are there any clauses regarding living as a recluse and claiming ESA does anyone know?

Thanks.

TELLIT01

In order to successfully claim ESA on sickness based UC you would have to produce a medical certificate from your GP. If you can do that you can certainly make a claim.

poppy12345

Kris35 wrote: »

Hi there. Are there any clauses regarding living as a recluse and claiming ESA does anyone know?

Thanks.

According to this thread, you're already claiming ESA.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5856473/esa-letter-with-appointment-to-see-work-coach

Muttleythefrog

From the thread Poppy links.. it seems you were in Support Group then moved to WRAG but you successfully asked for Mandatory reconsideration (MR) and as a result kept in support group.... that was August last year.

So I think we need context for your question. Are you still in the Support group and asking a social/practical question... or has your benefit stopped and you're looking to get ESA again? Your word "clauses" is difficult to understand without clarification - if you are asking if there are any special rules to get ESA if you are a recluse then the answer is no... if you live reclusively due to health problems (like social anxiety) that may be relevant to a claim of ESA and may indeed be already related to your award.. it looks like it judging from what it seemed you were going to give as your argument for being returned to Support group in MR that ultimately was successful?

Kris35

poppy12345 wrote: »

According to this thread, you're already claiming ESA.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5856473/esa-letter-with-appointment-to-see-work-coach

Yes I am but I'm due to get that form to fill in and think last time I received ESA due to my unique (ish) case but can't remember if there is somewhere on this form (the Assessment form - can't remember what it's called) for that or not.

Kris35

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

From the thread Poppy links.. it seems you were in Support Group then moved to WRAG but you successfully asked for Mandatory reconsideration (MR) and as a result kept in support group.... that was August last year.

So I think we need context for your question. Are you still in the Support group and asking a social/practical question... or has your benefit stopped and you're looking to get ESA again? Your word "clauses" is difficult to understand without clarification - if you are asking if there are any special rules to get ESA if you are a recluse then the answer is no... if you live reclusively due to health problems (like social anxiety) that may be relevant to a claim of ESA and may indeed be already related to your award.. it looks like it judging from what it seemed you were going to give as your argument for being returned to Support group in MR that ultimately was successful?

Yes I was put back into the Support Group after MR. Just can't remember if there is a special place on the form to fill in. Think I'll go back and check my old threads to jog my memory. I know I wrote a letter to them though but not sure if I will have to do that again or not. I'll go and check, thanks.

poppy12345

Kris35 wrote: »

Yes I am but I'm due to get that form to fill in and think last time I received ESA due to my unique (ish) case but can't remember if there is somewhere on this form (the Assessment form - can't remember what it's called) for that or not.

It will be worth knowing the reasons why you were placed into the Support Group and if they still apply then based the form filling on that reason.



If there's not enough space on the form then use extra A4 paper but make sure you add your name and NI number to every extra sheet you use.

Muttleythefrog

Kris35 wrote: »

Yes I was put back into the Support Group after MR. Just can't remember if there is a special place on the form to fill in. Think I'll go back and check my old threads to jog my memory. I know I wrote a letter to them though but not sure if I will have to do that again or not. I'll go and check, thanks.

Ah I see. Agree with Poppy advice then. The reason(s) you were put back into support group...i.e. which descriptor(s) applied could be useful to know. I would fill in the ESA50 documenting your relevant problems (preferably electronically to save some efforts next time - pdf version is available)... using additional pages if necessary to do so. And I would be inclined to use Additional Info section to direct them towards the support group descriptors you think appropriate - I have seen advice suggesting not to do this but I cannot on balance see a good reason not to. I would be inclined to also state in that additional info section that your difficulties have not changed since last assessed if indeed that is true. And supply any supporting evidence you can.... including previous assessment reports if suitable to your case for various descriptors applying. I would also prepare your GP in case they ask them to supply a completed ESA113 form which asks for basic info of your diagnoses and problems in relation to the various activities.

I don't as such think there is any special place on the ESA50 form except for those with cancer. I hope I'm right in thinking you are talking about a particular activity relating to your problems that gets you into support group. And if so then yes there may well be an appropriate activity such as 16. Coping with social situations. Otherwise there are non functional descriptors that can convey support group... but I'm not sure if that is appropriate to your case (most likely would be 'would pose substantial risk to anyone if not found to have LCWRA')... if it is then you could raise in Additional Info section as the non functional descriptors don't have anywhere on the form to specifically cover.

There is good advice on completing ESA50 here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/your-condition/

I also think the linked factsheet from this page is particularly useful if competing the ESA50 in relation to mental health problems:
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/money-benefits-and-employment/work-capability-assessment-wca/

Kris35

Thankyou soooo much Muttley, that is a great help. xx

ilovechristmas1

out of interest was is classed as a recluse?

Muttleythefrog

ilovechristmas1 wrote: »

out of interest was is classed as a recluse?

What is a recluse? Someone who avoids other people... preferring life alone. Not something you're going to get diagnosed as.... but there may be relevance to an assessment for ESA if you're reclusive due to illness.