Dreading the next ESA

Good afternoon everyone, I have not been online for a while as have been struggling a bit emotionally - anxiety and panic attacks as well as physical conditions. I have a lot of support from friends all trying to find ways to get out of the situation but anyone outside of this group of friends would not know what I am going through.

The last few months I have been thinking a lot of the process of the DWP form filing and assessments. I know that my mental wellbeing is not made better by DWP's persistence in getting us to fill in forms every time - they just want to wear you down.

One thing I dread is the next ESA form which is due sometime in May next year as the last one was in July this year. I was placed in SG for one year whereas the last time it was two years in SG.

My writing today is to ask any of you - Mods and members - how to stop claiming the ESA in such a way that I can retain the indefinite DLA. My friends advise to stop when the next ESA form arrives but others advise to inform DWP now due to its impact on my mental health.

I would like to stop simply because I know I cannot deal with the next ESA form completion and just cannot think of any other way to deal with it, despite the excellent help and encouragement from all the Mods and members on this site.

If anyone has experience of this and has done something like this, I would love to know. This is affecting me so badly that I cannot even enjoy the festive season! And my GP, while a nice person, does not understand and I do not know what to say to make him understand.

I am sorry you have been struggling recently but I am glad you have support of friends and family. I am very sad that you feel you have no other option but to stop claiming but do appreciate how you feel. Perhaps if you were to seek help from an organisation like the CAB you might feel better able to cope.

I do not see any reason why not claiming ESA would affect your DLA. However as you may already be aware PIPs is coming in 2015 for current DLA claimants. However, I expect it will take them longer than anticipated and those with indefinite awards may be left till last, although it may simply be random.

GPs often do not understand but you may consider talking to another Doctor at your surgery as some can be more helpful than others. Also some organisations offer free or reduced rate counselling and your GP may be able to point you in the right direction.

Finally in my work I have the opportunity to speak to MPs and Lords some of whom are sympathetic to our plight. I will pass on to them that some claimants consider not claiming simply because they find the whole process so stressful. It think they will find this shocking, as I do.

Hi E,

As with Pl's post, I too am sorry to read that you are contemplating ending your ESA claim, and agree that you should seek advice.

Where to get advice?

As you are not expecting an ESA reassessment until circa May 2014, there is certainly no reason to make a decision in haste, as you should not hear from the DWP/ATOS until that time.

If after you gain some advice, and are able to make a more informed decision, you still decide to close your claim, it will be important that you do so officially in writing, rather than just letting it lapse by not returning the ESA50, or failing to attend a F2F, if one is required.

Please try and enjoy the Xmas period, and take your time in coming to a decision on this, there is no hurry !!!

Please return to give us an update.

bro58

Evelyn, sorry to hear you are struggling with ESA. I can fully understand how you feel as I am in a similar situation myself, I am not capable healthwise of being in WRAG and feel as my medical professionals do that I can no longer continue to allow myself to become more ill by continuously fighting against DWP and the time has come that I must put my health first. Like you my health is deteriorating and I am also on the verge of seriously thinking of giving up my ESA. My PA does not get how unwell I am, does not offer me any alternative other than to attend the jobcentre plus for WFIs which make me extremely ill for several days

It is extremely worrying and upsetting, also so unfair that this is happening to genuinely sick and disabled people. I wish you lots of luck in whatever route you decide to take.

Forgot to say Evelyn, counselling is a great way of helping, it makes a huge difference being able to speak to someone who is neutral and listens as an outsider so to speak. Family and friends can offer advice, support and help but for some reason the counsellor helps even further and makes you think things out more clearly. I found it to be a great help, although it is still my decision at the end of the day to make the final decision to give up ESA, it helps alleviate some of the stress, maybe not much but it definitely helps.

Thank you Pl, Bro and Del.

The feeling I have of having to fill in the ESA every one or two years is like I am being hounded. Even when they know that your conditions are not going to get better, they still insist on sending forms for you to complete after your last assessment.

They are well aware that your condition has worsened and as you get older, other physical problems manifest even though you tried to do things to prevent that, but they still expect you to miraculously recover and go to work.

While they tirelessly pursue you, your mental health deteriorates and you go onto more prescribed drugs. I feel that if I get prescribed any more drugs, I will be a walking pharmacy!

Like Bro said, I have got to get into my head that the next ESA is not until May, but this date is what I have deduced, because the last one was on 3rd July this year so I think if it is one year, then two months before that will be May next year.

Do you think they will forget about me or lose me in their system? For once, I will actually be grateful!

If I decide to stop when I next receive the ESA form Bro, what should I put in my letter to ATOS?