ESA

im ay my wits end im already in the WRAG and my advisor at the DWp advised me to appeal and go for the support group which i did i hate causing a fuss as it makes me very anxious but i dont it anyway i received a letter back saying they had turned me down and they would send my appeals papers to the appeal people i just the form today to go to a hearing dont know when it will be making me feel sick to my tummy i have degenerative back diease had a major op on it in 2008 i now have cervical spondaylsis excuse my spelling tennis elbow and RLS i take tablets for all of them i dont know where to start or what to do it made me ill going to the ATOS medical examine also at counselling for depression hated it please help anyone

see im blabbing along

Hi Shelly, welcome to Benefits and Work.

This will help you find your way around

Welcome to Benefits and Work

In due course you will get a letter from the Tribunal Service with the date, time and venue of your appeal. This could take some time though, so you can use the time to prepare.

I will be honest and say that it is getting very difficult to find trained help from places like CAB as they have all had their funding cut. This FAQ tells you where to look for help, you could also try putting the words 'welfare advice' and your town into your search engine.

Where to get advice?

However, don't dispair if you cannot get any outside help, we have many members who have had successful appeals without representation.

The first thing to do is to look carefully at the Support Group descriptors, you have to show that at least one of these applies to you in order to be put in the Support Group.

Qualifying for the Support Group

Then you need to provide any evidence you can to support your claim. If your GP will not provide a supporting letter (many won't), you can access your records to see what will be helpful. Please let us know if you want to do this and we will tell you how.

'Evidence' can include letters from friends, family, carers and other therapists, it doesn't have to be limited to GPs.

If you feel you have already provided this evidence, your appeal submission should draw attention to it.

How to submit an appeal

Our appeals FAQs are here, you will find them helpful

Appeal FAQs

You might also find this reassuring, it talks specifically about people refused ESA, but the process is the same for you

Youtube video

If you are asked to attend further apppointments with your adviser while awaiting appeal, I'm afraid that you are obliged to appeal otherwise your benefit could be sanctioned.

Do I have to attend WFIs while I appeal?

If you are on contributary ESA, you will have a maximum of 365 days payment while awaiting appeal. You should then receive a form to assess your income and savings to see if you are entitled to income-related ESA.


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Sorry - x post with Gordon!

hi there dont worry have had 2 appeals in the past one for DLA without representation got an indefinite award and last year won my case at tribunal for esa again with any representation has to regards the CAB my local one now has only one benefit advisor due to the cutbacks hence me joining benefits and work site has it is ny impossible to get an appointment with the CAB