Help With Re-determination for Adult Disability Payment for CFS

ME53

Hello to the forum.

I joined to hopefully get a little advice on my application, as I'm getting nowhere with CAB and time is running out to submit my re-submission for a new application.

I had a bad day at work (ex work now) a couple of months ago and decided to apply for ADP, but I actually thought I was applying for Limited Work Capability at the time. Anyway, I applied for it and there were no questions relating to the reason I am applying so I guess my first question is: Am I wasting my time applying for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Symptoms?

I've had this for years experiencing burn out, low energy and having to take sleeps in the day constantly, and after years I finally got my GP to acknowledge this and they said they were ready to supply information for my claim when needed. So I applied on the surgery web site for a supporting letter/supporting evidence and they called me to collect something and all they did was print off recent pages from my files which don't really say much. So I'm currently trying to get a letter sorted, and I don't even know if I need one at this stage, maybe it's better for the appeal stage?

I have everything in my head I need to write down about how this affects me in my day to day life but I'm not sure at this stage how much information to share, whether to write wan essay or leave that for the inevitable appeal?

I'm also going to apply for Limited Work Capability too but I wanted to wait until I had regular p/t secured, but I can't hold on to anything. I can't find p/t hours doing basic factory work around here because all the positions are f/t - no one will take on p/t workers so I'm really struggling to find anything that suits. I can do a couple of days hard graft and I'm a good worker but I also keep getting fired because of run ins with line managers who don't seem to be able to recognise a good worker when they see one, can't run a pup in a brewery most of them and have a way of triggering my ADHD so I end up getting myself sacked. It's not enough that some of these jobs are highly stressful but they have to pile on added stress, restrict access to water and all the rest so if I do these jobs f/t now they have an impact on my health that builds up and I eventually feel totally burned out for weeks and it has made me ill one time recently s as it compromised my immune system. 

I haven't been diagnosed with ADHD but I'm coming to the realisation that this might be part of the reason why my life has turned out the way it has, and also part of the reason why I feel tired and burned out a lot - that and symptoms of IBS. I don't know whether it's worth mentioning that. 

Am I just wasting my time here going through all this? I don't even know if CFS is a qualifying condition, there are no questions that relate to it in the application.

Holly_Scope

Hi @ME53, really sorry to read about the situation with work. You might be able to claim benefits with CFS, and I'd definitely recommend looking at the possibility of an ADHD diagnosis if you think it's likely you might have this.

It might be a good idea to sit down with a benefits advisor who can help you throughout the process of claiming. Citizens Advice and Turn2us offer a service that might help put everything into perspective, including the doctors information etc.

I've also added a tag to this post that might help other members who've been through a similar situation see it so they can provide their advice.

Kimi87

Although they are currently lacking ADP specific guidance, The ME Association have lots of other useful information, you could check out their PIP guide, call the helpline and/or look for a local support group.

https://meassociation.org.uk/me-connect/

https://meassociation.org.uk/local-support-groups/

https://meassociation.org.uk/free-literature-downloads/