IB TO ESA

Bax wrote: Hi

Received the warning letter today.

I am having difficulty understanding some of the questions on the form.

For instance, approaching the going up two steps and being able to move 50m - 100m -200m question. My wife`s problems are mainly visual but she has had Palindromic Arthritis for 10 yrs as well so how best to approach this?
Or are these particular questions meant solely for chronic mobillity sufferers, along with the sitting standing questions?

The first thing to ask yourself is whether, for the majority of the time your wife has problems mobilising over these distances, that is either walking or propelling a manual wheelchair, does she have to stop because of significant discomfort or pain, having done so could she do so again within a reasonable period of time, if she is unable to mobilise reliably, safely or repeatedly then you have reason to complete that question on the form.


In a similar way, does she have problems going up or down two steps reliably, safely, repeatedly?

Have a look at the ESA Claims on Physical Grounds, this is explained in more detail.

Gordon

Bud wrote: Hi Gordon On the mobilising descriptor, when explaining this could you split it into two, explain the walking side, and then explain the `virtual wheelchair' side

Whatever works for you, the key thing is to address both issues, so if the problems are physical then the issues with walking might be the result of a lower body problem, whereas the propelling a wheelchair might be affected by upper body issues, of course if the problem is to do with capability, for example due to a heart problem, then it may affect someone's capability to do either.

Gordon

Bax wrote: Thanks Gordon,

May I ask if it is possible not to tick some boxes on the esa form?
If possible, Id prefer to give explanations only in certain boxes, and perhaps use the boxes where my wife`s descriptors were strongest.

There is no requirement for the tick boxes to be used, make the form fit your wife's conditions not the other way around, just mark the boxes with a "see below" and explain in the comments box or additional pages as needed.

If you do use extra pages, make sure that your wife's name, National Insurance Number and date of birth are included, and also that there are clear "continued" and "continued from" references.

Gordon