ESA help needed!

Fran96
Fran96 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited April 2019 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer nearly 3 years ago and have fortunately outlived my prognosis. My ds1500 ran out recently and instead of being asked for a new one, the ESA sent me for an assessment. I was declared fit to work as I have no mobility issues. Macmillan advised me to get a mandatory reconsideration with a new ds1500. ESA have denied me my benefit again even with the new ds1500 saying that my mobility score was not high enough. Regulation 35 stated that those with terminal illness cannot be asked to work, yet I have a horrid 4 page letter arguing against this. ESA have screwed me over time after time and I am now using macmillan financial advice on a regular basis. Does anyone have any advive/similar experiences. I'm going to have to appeal this decision and go to court. It's so stressful and I'm worried that all the stress is going to tip me back into progression. 

Comments

  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Online Community Member Posts: 7,877 Championing
    Hi @Fran96 welcome to the community! I am so sorry to hear what you're going through, it really does sound stressful! Are you able to contact your local CAB?
  • Fran96
    Fran96 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Yes I have used them several times but my case is always far too complicated for them as dwp do such awful, random things. They are still saying I owe them £5000 for full time work which I have never done. Whenever I call up they say its a mistake and they will get back to me. Cab passed me on to a macmillan specialist. 
  • Antonia_Alumni
    Antonia_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,764 Pioneering
    edited April 2019
    Hi @Fran96 how are you doing today? I am sorry to hear this. You may find our page on appealing a DWP benefits decision useful. I'll tag @BenefitsTrainingCo to have a look for you.
  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Online Community Member Posts: 2,621 Trailblazing
    Hi Fran,

    Your new DS1500 certificate should mean you are fast-tracked into the Support Group of ESA.

    I’m not clear what has happened here but I think you should go back to Macmillan. They have specialist welfare benefits teams who they can refer you to who should be able to sort this out for you.

    Regards,

    Michael

  • Fran96
    Fran96 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thanks A lot for the comments. I'm feeling a lot better than I did last week. I'm meeting macmillan next Tuesday and I've contacted my MP. I'm appealing the decision as I think it's absolutely disgusting behaviour on the part of the DWP and I won't let them get away with it! ?

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