ESA.....Cerebellar Ataxia

Hi.....I was diagnosed last April with Spino Cerebellar Ataxia.
I have been on the assessment rate of ESA since Sept last year.
This is only because I have appealed against the decision to turn medown(twice)
After attending a ridiculous medial by a supposed 'Doctor'(who was hungrian and been in the country for 5 months and had no knowledge of neurological conditions)....therefore she only gave me 6 points for my slurred speach.
I do not work due to my condition and having read about others experiences.....I am not as confident as I was of being successful.
I have the support of someone from the Ataxia Charity who is coming with me,my consultants are typing me out medical letters of support.
Has anyone any words of wisdom for me?

simon
neves wrote:

Hi.....I was diagnosed last April with Spino Cerebellar Ataxia.
I have been on the assessment rate of ESA since Sept last year.
This is only because I have appealed against the decision to turn medown(twice)
After attending a ridiculous medial by a supposed 'Doctor'(who was hungrian and been in the country for 5 months and had no knowledge of neurological conditions)....therefore she only gave me 6 points for my slurred speach.
I do not work due to my condition and having read about others experiences.....I am not as confident as I was of being successful.
I have the support of someone from the Ataxia Charity who is coming with me,my consultants are typing me out medical letters of support.
Has anyone any words of wisdom for me?

No words of wisdom I'm afraid, other than to point you in the direction of the ESA reources section and the guide entitled Employment and Support Allowance Appeals.

Thanks for that....helped alot.
One thing I remember the DWP said at the start is if you get turned down for ESA.....you cant re apply again for 6 months....UNLESS your condition is progressive.....and my Ataxia IS progressive.
Can I(do yo tink)have a case for staying on the assessment phase of ESA indefinitely?

simon
neves wrote:

Thanks for that....helped alot.
One thing I remember the DWP said at the start is if you get turned down for ESA.....you cant re apply again for 6 months....UNLESS your condition is progressive.....and my Ataxia IS progressive.
Can I(do yo tink)have a case for staying on the assessment phase of ESA indefinitely?

At the moment, it is actually possible to remain on the ESA assessment phase indefinitely.

There were some comments on this website as to whether the government may possibly change the rules and therefore the law, in order to prevent this happening? However, there would need to be an extensive review for this to occur, but with the government in their present mode of constantly castigating the sick and disabled even more than usual, I wouldn't put anything past them!

As the general election is almost upon us, it would appear that any change would be unlikely in the short term, but who knows what will happen thereafter?