I have been on Incapacity benefit for a number of years now, for having M.E./CFS and not being able to work. I have just been assessed for the new ESA and have received a letter telling me that I have been placed in the work related activity group and I am expected to attend interviews etc with them looking at getting me back to work. I wrote to tell them I disagree with the decison, they haven't changed it so I need to formally appeal.
I phoned the DWP today to ask them why they have put me in the WRAG as I am not fit for work. She then told me that they have found me unfit for work based on my form and they agreed that I could not work. 
The letter doesn't actually state this.
The bit that really got me was when she said that they could come up with a cure in 2 years time so you can only get ESA in the WRAG for 365 days. Only people with terminal illness go into the support group (according to her). Yes there could be a cure, it could be 10 years away but you can only claim this benefit for 1 year, even though they agree that I am unfit for work. In 1 year my money will stop. She said I may be able to get the income related ESA but I said we don't qualify as my DH has a full time job. She said the government say that you don't need any more money after this. I actually laughed and said that my DHs wages don't cover our outgoings as its not a great paid job (not minimum wage, but by no means a good income). She didn't care obviously.
She said they have passed a new law that means you can only claim ESA for 1 year. But they do agree I am unfit for work, but I still have to attend interviews with a view to looking at returning to work!!!
So for everyone who thinks the government are doing the right thing. No they are bloody not!! A blind person isn't terminally ill, so do they not qualify? People with things like Parkinsons, MS are not terminally ill. Do they only qualify for 1 year as well?
I am so angry right now. 
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General health
So how many people are actually aware of the details of the new ESA?
CrapBag · 15/04/2013 20:47
I seen someone from Welfare Rights again today.
It's so difficult thinking back to what my health was like in Aug/Sep. I filled in the EA50 in February medical in June my medication has been changed about 6 times since then,I got lost in the DWP system
Anyway for anyone doing this alone, we went through the points sheet to see where I had lost points or not had any where I should. I meet with a Lawyer and a Doctor next Thursday. I have to get 9 points. I have 6.
I'm not holding out tbh. I find it difficult to tell others face to face
YoniYappy you can make a request to see your medical records, if you ask your surgery. There's a sample letter here. They can charge up to £50 for photocopying, but if it's anything like my bundle that will be worth it, as there's often valuable evidence lurking in there, plus there will be records of all the meds you've been on. (My records were so thick that the cost for photocopying went over £50 but legally that's the max they can charge). I also found some letters written from consultants to my GP which I'd never been copied into but they served as useful proof about my condition (and it was easier to get hold of them than trying to ask for a specific letter from my consultant).
Will the welfare rights person be able to attend the tribunal with you?
Sorry I haven't made it clear, the Doctor and Lawyer are who will be attending my tribunal on behalf of ATOS so it's next Thursday afternoon.
They really do go into what you do in a day, it's difficult describing literally 'nothing'.
She also advised I may be asked if I have had a family party or any type of 'gathering' last year which, I couldn't/didn't attend, I did I had 3 things, I managed one out of the 3, so she asked me about the other 2 things I hadn't attended.
Last year I was sleeping away days, when the DC were at school, this year I cannot sleep unless I take a sleeping pill. She asked about 'change' how I would cope if tribunal time/date were changed etc.
Asked how I would react if they had a job for me on Monday. I was truthful I would be delighted, then reality would kick in and I couldn't do it.
She asked if I had any accidents around the home (I dont - I live in away where I wont)
She told me that the area I live in the GPs have now completely stopped giving out letter for these medicals.
I was reading over (with her)my EA50/medical papers and the person who gave me that medical was talking nonsense. Over a lot of things, she had just made them up. One being I talk daily with my mum on a mobile, then another hour on the house phone, another I sleep until 11am each day, I love watching the soaps every evening
I still have to work out how to get there next week and look over the form again
That's good news about the psychiatrist Piratecat, I'm sorry you are so unwell just now. I have the GP again today (I will be asking about psychiatrist has my psychologist has done what she can) I cannot see my GP until 17th May so don't hold out much hope until I see him, I am living much the same as you, they call mine dissociating/disassociation disorder and even my sleeping pills are only working for 3-4 hours just now. I call it obsessing over ESA appeal and stressed out to the maximum.
I read the Consumer Action Forum during the night and read some positive outcomes but some equally negative ones.
I still need to work out how to get there, I might have to ask my Dad,he detest me being on benefits and thinks PTSD is some made up illness for sick lines. How are you supposed to get there if you have 6 points for 'not going out' ?
If I was ready to work, I would be working, I had a fantastic job when things went bad with my X, the plan was to separate from him, get counselling, get better, not get counselling then PTSD.
Hope everyone is well.
My doctor is referring me for GET, there is a new thing in the place where I live that deals with M.E./CFS so she is referring me to see if they can do any good. I haven't said much about my mental health but I did tell her that I am on the brink. I already have an appointment with a mental health team next week anyway to assess what treatment I may need. I think that is psychologists as well. I'll be interested to see what they say. I am on my 5th bout of depression now and am trying this as oppose to going back on the medication although I am not ruling it out later on as it does help.
Yes, thanks again ATOS and the Coalition for making these changes for all us 'scroungers'. 
Hope everyone is doing as well as can be and was wondering if this has happened to anyone?
i asked for a copy of the report the person completed for my DLA (and was awarded) and received a copy of an ESA Medical report form dated May 2012 however I never saw a person to get examined so it seems to have been completed without ever having seen me
I have mobility problems and advised ATOS of this and that I could not make it to the centre on my own so could someone come to the house.
i never heard back from them so this seems to have been completed without even seeing me
This may be of interest to some www.aboutaccess.co.uk/article.php?id=413&item=Atos+pays+out+to+man+left+in+pain+and+distress+by+assessment
Wow soda cannot believe they filled one in without actually seeing you!! 
They just get worse.
DD2 Downs pacemaker asthma 27 yrs was summoned to ATOS centre 28 miles away @ 09.15
First catch 4 buses! Of course i took her.
She was placed in the WRAG We appealed and she is now in support group.
DD3 also Downs heart problems 24 yrs sent forms I duly filled them in sent evidence letter back in 2 weeks put straight in the support group
Good luck
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i don't think it would do any harm. a friend has written a letter for me.
As we don't have any idea what they take notice of and it seems it varies then a letter from your dh it is.
i have no specialist letters. my records for when i last visited a gp for my illness and when i first got incapacity ben are over ten years ago.
i am not sure they would mean anything.
god its a bloody minefield
I'll ask DH to write something then I'll forward it with my GPs letter then.
I don't know how much notice they will take of the £25 letter anyway! According to people they don't listen to your GP (what the medical professional who knows you far better than the person you see once does ) but after her telling me what she was going to write, it completely backs up what I am saying so I think it may be worth it.
I don't have a specialist though, never have done but I am now being referred for GET, so we'll see what thats like. By the time the appeal comes up then I may well be seeing someone else anyway.
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