employment and support allowance

[neil25]

I stay in the UK and have been given the decision that i am not entitled to employement & support allowance. I can't beleive this im still very ill and am mainly housebound there is no chance i would be able to work right now. Without these benefits I don't know how am going to survive. This is really depressing me and adding to my stress. I hate this illness.

[annie]

Sadly, a familiar story Neil. You have to contest the decision, your g.p's letter is very important so see if you can get their support on it. I had to go to tribunal for my DLA, not a pleasant experience. sometimes it helps to get an advocate, the citizens advice bureau might help, or one of the m e charities, e.g action for m e.
you have my sympathy, but don't give up.

[Minaret]

I can hardly believe that decision, that is appalling. Do you have access to any other benefits? I agree with annie, dont let the system get you down, this is just a hoop that they make you jump through. so telephone the citizens advice bureau or one of those charities, as soon as possible... once you know you've got someone on your side, you'll feel a lot better about the situation.

If it helps (I do this all the time) write a list of all the things, people or organisations that a could help you through this. Then go through the list when you have the energy, bit by bit. Then its not so overwhelming.

[neil25]

thanks for all your support i really appreciate it. I phoned the citizens advice bureau and they said they can send an appeal away for me, so im going in Monday. Has anyone had any experience with any charties which can help? I need everybody on my side at this stage.

[alicewoolf]

Sorry to hear about that Neil. that's terrible. I think the government has become a lot stricter recently but in the process are depriving people who are genuinely ill. I just lost my DLA (£75) a month but still get Income support which just about covers day-to-day things. Get your G.P. to write a letter for you- that might help.. good luck.

[neil25]

i just got another letter saying they have stopped payment of my employment and support allowence. i really can't beleive this, im just so ill even getting out of bed is a real challenge for me. How can they stop payments? im going to appeal for it but i know this is a lengthy process so at the moment i have zero benefits. lucky im staying with my parents otherwise i wud be homeless, im just sick of life this can't get any worse. This is putting a huge amount of stress on me. Sometimes i don't see the point in going on, im going to be pennyless and in extreme suffering. I fight this everyday but it seems like im losing the fight just now, no one beleive just how ill I am.

[Chronicfatiguetreatments]

I stay in the UK and have been given the decision that i am not entitled to employement & support allowance.

sorry to hear that neal. I know in the US, you can get a lawyer to appeal the decision. I dont know how expensive it would be, but i bet there is a non profit group somewhere that helps with stuff like this.
Theres got to be some way you can appeal it.

[annie]

Neil, horrible for you but don't panic, this has happened to so many m.e. people that i know, and we all got it with appeals. if the citizens advice isn't helpful, you could join action for m.e, they have advisors you can ring. google for their number. also the 25% group is in scotland, not sure if you are severe enough to qualify, but they used to have an advocacy service. do get in touch with your g.p ask if they wrote the letter and tell them what has happened, they may well amend their letter for your appeal. keep doing soften and flow etc.

[neil25]

thanks for the support annie it means a lot. I am going to advice shop on Monday and they said they can appeal it's just got me really stressed out.

[mermaid]

Hi Neil
I am so sorry to hear about the difficult time you are having with ESA, and I know from other forums how tough it is to get through the medical, but quite a lot of people who appeal and who go to tribunal are winning. I do hope that CAB have been helpful.

They have probably told you already, but if not - just to say that once your appeal is accepted you will have the ESA reinstated at the basic rate (the rate you have been receiving) until your appeal. I know it is easier said than done to say don't worry about the appeal at the moment, but i do know from other forums that it could well be many months before your appeal as there is a huge backlog of them.

If you win the appeal you will be put into one of 2 groups - and your benefit would then go up to a higher amount.

I have been doing my homework on all this as I am going to be in the same position myself soon. I have been off sick from work 9 months in the last 12 (had a spell back there before Christmas and then got whooping cough - not fun on top of ME/CFS!). I am giving up the struggle and taking on a new one (ESA). I think joining BenefitsandWork is the best thing for the appeal - costs around £20 p.a. but I understand it's worth it for their advice.

[neil25]

I really don't want to be on benefits but don't think i have a choice as im just so ill. concentration is one of my biggest problems which is why I can't work just now. Wish i could try some adderall from the doctor as I've read this helps some people.