Hi people, already worried for my ESA.

kami_84
kami_84 Community member Posts: 16 Listener
edited July 28 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hello Dear people. My review for ESA is in August in a year time and I'm already scared. If I dont get ESA I will become homeless. 

I have a problem because previously I was only placed in the support group because I was suicidal and I could show them that Im getting suicidal and Im a risk to myself. 

This time I really don't feel that anyone will believe me. 

I am transgender and Im ofthen discriminated. There is one doctor at the local hospital who doeasnt believe me. So even if I go to the hospital for suicidal thoughts he is going to discharge me as say that Im fine. I am not. The last time they discgarged me prematurely and im scared of going back there. 

I am basically worried that I wont have a strong enough evidence to provide to esa since im affraid to go to the hospital even. 

I am so worried that they will take me out of support group and my health is bad. 

I do have community CMHT doctor who is nice to me for a change. But I know that they will require strong evidence to be in support group aand Im worried that this time I wont be able to provide it like the last time. 

Can you adise me something. Thank you.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    ESA Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise. Your money will not just stop. The timescale they give you for a review date is just a guide and it doesn't mean they will receive you on that date. At the moment those in the Support Group are not currently being reviewed as they are still suspended. 

    When they do start back there will very likely be backlogs so you may not be reviewed anytime soon. 

    When you do eventually have a review then just send what evidence you have. When I was last reviewed in 2020 I didn't send any medical evidence and I had a paper based assessment. This was based on the information I gave in my form. 


  • luvpink
    luvpink Community member Posts: 215 Empowering
    I was reassessed last year for esa completely out of the blue after having been in the cb support group was several years.
    I had a telephone assesment that lasted about an hour and a half.
    It was quite thorough and fair to be honest.
    I received the descision two weeks later saying that I remained in the support group.
    It did cause me a lot of anxiety  having to complete the form and go through the assesment but its done thank goodness.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    @luvpink there were some people that were contacted last year around June/July. They are now suspended again. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,906 Championing
    Hello @kami_84

    I'm going to pop an email over to you <3 
  • kami_84
    kami_84 Community member Posts: 16 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/816441#Comment_816441
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/816441#Comment_816441

    Dear Poppie are the reviews for ESA still suspended?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    For those in the Support Group yes, still suspended.

  • lillibut1990
    lillibut1990 Community member Posts: 4 Listener

    I have been given a letter for a review of my benefits and circumstances for ESA. I am support group. Do you know what they ask you? They told me on phone ID and recent bank statement I asked if it meant just one month and they said yes. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894207#Comment_894207

    What does the letter say exactly please?

  • lillibut1990
    lillibut1990 Community member Posts: 4 Listener

    hello poppy

    It says about your ESA we are reviewing your benefit and circumstances. We need to talk to about some changes that may affect your benefit payments and have arranged an interview for you to attend. When u come u just bring all info we have asked for. The list is all financial stuff, rent proof, id and same if u have a partner. When I called to ask what this is the lady on phone said it was a compliance interview just to check that all my info is correct and is the right benefits. But I am unsure what to expect they said 1 hr for intereview which is tomorrow am. Seems excessive really no change of circumstance from me so have no clue why it talks abt changes

  • lillibut1990
    lillibut1990 Community member Posts: 4 Listener

    @poppy123456

    It says about your ESA we are reviewing your benefit and circumstances. We need to talk to about some changes that may affect your benefit payments and have arranged an interview for you to attend. When u come u just bring all info we have asked for. The list is all financial stuff, rent proof, id and same if u have a partner. When I called to ask what this is the lady on phone said it was a compliance interview just to check that all my info is correct and is the right benefits. But I am unsure what to expect they said 1 hr for intereview which is tomorrow am. Seems excessive really no change of circumstance from me so have no clue why it talks abt changes

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894261#Comment_894261

    It may just be a random compliance interview, which they do sometimes or someone has reported you for something.

    They may ask questions such as who lives with you, do you have any other bank accounts and what other benefits you're claiming.

  • lillibut1990
    lillibut1990 Community member Posts: 4 Listener

    @poppy123456 thanks poppy.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 6,814 Online Community Coordinator

    Heya @lillibut1990 and welcome to the community.

    I can see Poppy has already answered your questions, but I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. 😊

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