ESA higher rate assessment... scared!

[Pegs11]

Hi, I have ME/CFS as well as severe mental health issues that prevent me from being able to work. I’m on standard rate ESA but have applied for the higher rate/support group. I just found out today that my capability for work assessment is happening on Tuesday and I’m terrified!! I already had an assessment for PIP a few months ago. It was horrible. I got turned down and in their decision letter they focused just on what I said I could do on better days, and the fact that I was coherent at the interview. They ignored the fact that 80% of the time I’m too ill to do anything. I’m scared the same thing will happen with my ESA assessment. Just wondered if anyone can share their experience, or talk me through how the interview went. What did they ask you? Did they throw you any curveballs? My condition fluctuates... If I’m feeling well on Tuesday and don’t sound really ill on the phone, will they use that against me? I really can’t handle a repeat of the PIP thing, my mental health is in such a poor state and it really makes me so anxious all this stuff .

I am sorry nobody has replied to you.

I have never applied for PIP or ESA but I know from friends you need to describe your worst day.

I hope it went well.

Thank you for your reply. I had the assessment today. It was horrible. I can only hope for the best 😕

Oh! I am sorry. There are charities that can act on your behalf. Prowl the internet and find a local charity and speak to them about it that way if you get rejected they can appeal in your behalf. Don’t give up because these assessments are about getting people off benefits not about the person with difficulties or what they need.

Good luck x

Thank you @fuzzywig. I got Fightback4justice to help me with the actual application form, but they couldn’t be there with me on the call. I was shaking and sobbing through the whole thing, it was really stressful and doesn’t do my health conditions any good!

I’ve also got Fightback4justice handling my PIP appeal. I just couldn’t face it anymore after two rejections already (initial application and mandatory reconsideration). It just takes so much out of me, all of this stuff. So horrible to put people who are already ill through such a gruelling experience. Especially when the DWP have already been sent a gazillion supporting letters from medical professionals proving your condition!

When the government says “we’re here to help you” what they actually mean is “we’re here to make it practically impossible for you to get the help you need” 🙁

Don't suppose you have a CPN?
I do know they are like rocking horse shit.

Sorry. I don’t even know what one is!

Community psychiatric nurse
It was care in the community so slashed to the bone.

No I don’t have one, and it’s never even been mentioned to me as a thing! Are they able to accompany you to assessments?

I honestly don’t know. I was talking more about a charity who would help you will in the forms or help you appeal.

CPNs can accompany you to an assessment, but only if you're already on their caseload and only if they have time. In reality they rarely do.

Who suggested that you apply for a review? You have to be careful because they can remove the whole award.

Try to put it out of your mind until you get the outcome, easier said than done I know. They normally take around 28 days.

It’s not a review, it’s an initial assessment, I hadn’t had an ESA one before. Only PIP. Which was awful and I got rejected and it’s now going to appeal. 😔

Have you an advocacy service in your area? They may be able to support you during the call.Make sure that they record that you have far more good days than bad...tell them five out of seven...emphasise that.

It looks like you have support to maybe make an appeal to tribunal..,I have supported people who have gone from zero points to 15, which at the time was enough to get them the ESA.

Good luck and I hope your met al health becomes more manageable once you get the right amount of money x

If it helps, OP, shaking and sobbing is no bad thing. They need to see you on bad days, not good days. Your instinct is to do your best to hold it together but it works against you. So for goodness' sake, don't go beating yourself up about not being cool and collected!

Obviously too late now, but the best advice I was ever given before an ESA assessment was: turn off your coping mechanisms.

The assessments are grim; I'm dreading my next one. I hope it turns out alright for you.