Hi, I NEED HELP WITH ESA.

charllouise

I have just been informed by ESA that I will not be let back on to that benefit as the assessment I did a year ago failed ( I was then forced to go onto JSA.) I am a 19 year old and suffer from severe anxiety and depression to the point that I can't even take a shower without having a panic attack. I have provided sick notes which they asked for and I am now on medication but I am no means ready for work. I haven't had a payment in over a month and because of that I have no food or money for rent. The staff at the hostel in which I live have been providing me with food parcels which only last a day, if that. I'm in need of help, so any advice would be useful. 
Thanks. 

Lasian_Alumni

Welcome to the community @charllouise

It sounds like you're in a really tough situation. Have you had a look at Advice Local to see what support is available in your area?

@Jean_Scope are you able to offer any advice?

poppy123456

charllouise said:

I have just been informed by ESA that I will not be let back on to that benefit as the assessment I did a year ago failed ( I was then forced to go onto JSA.) I am a 19 year old and suffer from severe anxiety and depression to the point that I can't even take a shower without having a panic attack. I have provided sick notes which they asked for and I am now on medication but I am no means ready for work. I haven't had a payment in over a month and because of that I have no food or money for rent. The staff at the hostel in which I live have been providing me with food parcels which only last a day, if that. I'm in need of help, so any advice would be useful. 
Thanks. 

Hi,

As you were found ft for work once before, you can only re-claim ESA if your condition has got considerably worse or for a completely new condition. If your condition has got worse it has to actually state this on the fit note. If it doesn't you will be refused ESA. What you should have done was appealed the previous decision. Was there any reason why you didn't?

jamie1965

Have you checked to see if you can get income support you can get disability part on that and no interigation 

poppy123456

jamie1965 said:

Have you checked to see if you can get income support you can get disability part on that and no interigation 

Not unless the other person is claiming Carers Allowance or has a child under the age of 5.

madcyclistuk

Hi, :-)

You're in a similar situation to what I am - no income, need income, but have a disability !

I think you should try and claim either JSA or UC as if you're refused benefits you can try and claim either of these as, at least you'll have something. Here's the shortcut;

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance 

It's REALLY IMPORTANT you produce medical certificates and have them registered for ALL the time that you claim JSA/UC - no gaps. Take a copy e.g. scan or have good photos of all documents you submit to DWP/HMCTS - the latter, in particular loses them, with alarming regularity!

Do take advice though. Is there a young person's advice centre that sees people up until they're 21 that can help??

Susanking445

Omg wish this government understands mental problems eg depression and anxiety it's debilitating just as physical but you can't see it grrrrrr

Jean_OT

Hi @charllouise

Thought I’d drop you a quick response as @Lasian_Scope tagged me into your query a few days ago. Benefits are not many specialist area so I don’t wish to comment on that aspect of your post but I have asked a Benefit Specialist colleague from the Scope Helpline to have a look at your query to see if she can add anything.

I am concerned that the stress of this situation may be negatively impacting on your emotional wellbeing. If this is the case I would urge you to reach out to your GP or other professionals that support you. In addition the organisation ‘Anxiety UK’ have a list of support groups on their website:  https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/membership-services/self-help-groups/  you can download the list for free without having to be a member of their organisation.

 

Best Wishes

Jean

 

https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist

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Susanking445

Aw Victoria that's awful it's not fair you've been treated that way I would change my doctor if I was you 

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Susanking445

The same with me Victoria worked for all these years paying tax not getting anything back supposed to be a democratic country haha we have no powers absolutely

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ScopeHelpline

Hi @charllouise

Just following on from my colleague Jean. I'm really sorry to read about your problems with your entitlement to benefits. 

@poppy123456 is right about the reasons why ESA could be awarded again without a successful challenge to the decision that withdrew the ESA.  You can only get ESA again, having failed a work capability assessment, if you have a new condition or a substantial worsening of your existing condition. Your GP would need to put this on a fit note (medical certificate) for you. 

However, if it is less than the absolute time limit of 13 months from the date of that ESA decision last year, then you can put in a late "mandatory reconsideration" request, with a view to appealing it if you need to. The usual time limit for making a challenge is a calendar month, but  there is discretion to allow a challenge within 13 months - you have to give good reasons why the challenge is late.  You would need to write or phone the ESA department to say that you want to do this.

Medical evidence of your health difficulties that make it impossible to work is necessary - though the DWP may have this already.

I'm wondering whether there is a local or a specialist advice agency to help you with the late mandatory reconsideration. Have a look at Jean's suggestion above and also www.advicelocal.org. If you're unable to find a suitable agency that can help you, please do phone the Helpline and we will try to offer you information that will help you to do this.

It's worth mentioning that sometimes, the Jobcentre staff themselves seem to get people in your situation back onto the ESA benefit. I think this must be on the grounds of a significant worsening of the person's condition and this can work well, if it happens. Otherwise, it is up to you to take the action outlined here. 

Good luck. 

Best wishes

Gill
Scope Helpline 
0808 8003333

Susanking445

Thanks Jean that was really helpful