Has anyone appealed re not receiving ESA and can tell me what it was like?

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Just that really ...

I've been receiving ESA due to being unable to work because of depression and anxiety. I failed my work capability assessment because I "can leave the house to pick up a prescription" and "prepare toast and microwave meals" for myself, therefore meaning I can look after myself and hold down a job

I also failed my mandatory reconsideration and have requested an appeal. It's coming up soon and I wondered if anyone had requested one and could tell me what to expect ... How many people are likely to be there, how long might it take, do they tell you immediately if you fail, what sort of questions are they likely to ask?

I'm so stressed by the whole thing, I can't sleep and I'm terrified about going to somewhere unfamiliar to talk to people I don't know, in a situation I can't prepare for or control ...

Thanks.

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Sorry, posted twice by mistake due to phone freezing

[ImSoTakei]

Hiya. I'm in exactly the same position. Mine is next week and I'm consideribg just not going :(

I know I will have no money then but I'm terrified. I don't have any real medical evidence to take apart from my depression meds and beta blockers for panic attacks because the last 18 months ive been on waitibg lists for a psychiatrist, so only my (pretty unhelpful) GP has seen me.

I just don't know what to do.

[ImSoTakei]

I read that you are supposed to to fight against each point and explain why you should get thise points. I don't have the confidence to do that, at all.

I also asked about getting my medical records but it would cost £50 and wouldn't even be here in time

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Imso mine is next week too I don't have evidence either. No one wants to write any I am seeing the primary care mental health team, she gave me a copy of my report, but I don't think it's going to help, as basically it doesn't state that I could commit suicide any moment

Otherwise I just have my needs to show them (also beta blockers and anti depressants) and a referral for counselling, which I've now started but they won't write a letter, and a referral for physio for physical problems. I don't want to go, but also heard that they automatically fail you if you don't turn up. Not receiving anything isn't an option, as I'm a single mum, I'll sign on for jsa if I fail, but believe they'll sanction me because I'll be too unreliable to work for anyone the way I am right now.

[ImSoTakei]

Thats the same as me. I'm a single mum too and I can't even go to the job seekers office. I have panic attacks. The fella there was very nice and said by the state of me I should pass my assesment but I scored 0 points

My report said I was calm and made eye contact. Complete bullshit. They just lied.

Before ESA I was living off CB and CTC, which I'll have to go back to. I want to go but I'm so scared.

No one will write me anything either and my GP signs my fitnotes as 'stress due to marriage break up' which has NOTHING to do with my condition thats been going on 10 + years

Ive been on medication 8 years and ge thinks sonething that happened this year is the cause

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

That's very similar to my situation .. I scored 0 too, but can't travel in public transport or drive due to phobias and anxiety, my report said the same, all lies, also they made up answers to questions they didn't even ask me

[ImSoTakei]

Same :( I don't really go anywhere alone but they said because I can make the kids breakfast and get them to school then I'm ok.

I don't go to shops, I get my food shopping delivered and because I answer the door to take the shopping in then I'm fit to work

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

When's your appeal? Let me know how you get on?

[misskelly]

I would advise you to go to your local citizens advice. Take all the letters you have sent and received so far with you.

They help with ESA applications, can do a Mandatory reconsideration for you. Or, like you if you need to go to a tribunal can help build a case and send a rep with you.

Even if your appointment is very soon often they can call the tribunal court/DWP and inform them they are now involved with your case and can get the date moved back to get more time.

[ImSoTakei]

Kaspar I PMd you x

[Blue2014]

Take someone with you if you can. It can help

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

I was going to take my boyfriend.

I don't think the citizens advice bureau accompany to appeals anymore. I've already had a mandatory reconsideration and the appeal is next week.

[ImSoTakei]

Nobody seems to want to get involved with ESA claims.

They lied on mine. On one page it says 'claimant has no thoughts of self harm'

3 pages later it says that I self harm as a coping mechanism but I am fine.

[AnxiousCarer]

For those of you struggling to leave house/make journeys due to "severe mental distress" have you looked at PIP as I believe this would score quite highly for that. Consider what you are like on your bad days too when you answer the questions.

[dangermouseisace]

I've got my WCA coming up and dreading it.

kaspar the DWP's own figures show that 52% of people regarded 'fit to work' get through on appeal. I hope yours goes well.

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Imso, they did the same with mine .. Said I was not at risk of suicide, then a bit later said I thought about committing suicide

I don't know about PIP, I was told I had to claim ESA .. I don't even know what PIP is tbh.

Danger good luck with the WCA .. As mentioned above answer all questions as if it's a bad day, because if you tell them you can sometimes go out/read/watch tv/shop/cook, they'll say you're ok to work. I made that mistake, put on a brave face, because that's what I'm used to doing ...

The people doing the assessment will try to appear as if they care, but they are being paid to avoid paying ESA to as many people as possible, don't be fooled by them.

[dangermouseisace]

PIP (personal independence payment) is what DLA was. It's a payment that is meant to help with the costs of care/getting around…whether you actually receive any help or not. I decided not to even try claiming for that as it would have just have been another thing to get stressed out about!

kaspar fortunately the whole assessment looming thing is (I think) making me very anxious so the way things are going at the moment it will be a bad day anyway! The thing is…an employer wouldn't accept someone who 'sometimes' came to work the whole thing is absolutely ridiculous. I'm highly suspicious of the whole thing...

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Danger, precisely. I imagine there are days when I could possibly work if I could concentrate, but most of the time I'd not turn up or have a panic attack and have to go home. Not what employers are looking for

[ImSoTakei]

Kaspar you sound so much like me its scary. Some days i think i should just make myself look for a job but I know if i'm thinkibg that its an amazingly GOOD day and 3 days later i could spend the day in bed wanting to hurt myself and not even leave the house for the next week.

I also made the mistake of talking about my best days. :(

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Imso, I go through times when I'm a bit high and I organise things, look for jobs, join clubs/groups ... Then I crash and go to bed and can't face the world for days.

[ImSoTakei]

I thought I might be bipolar for a while. I did somethibg the beginning of the year that i never thought I would do and people on the outside would say 'well if you can do that...' but i was on a 'high' too and now the prospect of doibg something similar terrifies me. It's so hard because i just want some bloody consistancy in my mind :(

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

We are very similar!

My bf says he can see it happening .. I'm happy and on a high, arrange lots of things, meeting people, traveling places, looking for jobs .. Go way over the top ... But I can't see it through

[ImSoTakei]

I've been up since 3am. I can't sleep at all. I keep going over the appointment tomorrow in my mind. I'm so scared

[Kasparprinceofthieved]

Imso I understand, I felt the same. I barely slept in the days leading up to it. I hope it goes well for you. Pm me whenever you like ((((hugs))))

[NiteFlights]

As pp said, CAB may be able to advise. I used to volunteer and have helped people fill in forms for ESA.