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Fibromyalgia Action UK

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I would be very grateful for any advice on esa assessment with 0 points..

bren876 profile image
20 Replies

Feeling confused after my ESA assessment.I'd be very grateful for any advice. I got 0 points and can't believe the lies on the DWP review I called them and asked for a RC then sent a letter to confirm I didn't want them to do the RC till i had more evidence. I got a doctor's letter confirming my illnesses,sicknote + a letter from my MP I had a call from DWP yesterday saying they would give me a decision next week but they won't send me a copy of the assessor's report. Is fibro depression PTS and anxiety enough for a RC? I'm sorry to moan but with only 2hrs sleep last night I'm feeling very emotional..thank you for listening and i hope your all feeling a lot better than me. Xx

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bren876 profile image
bren876
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20 Replies
Rose54 profile image
Rose54

Hi

Assessment is not based on your illnesses its on how it effects you in your day to day life what you can and can not do .

You do have a right to right to see your full report .

If you go to appeal get help to do it .

Rose

bren876 profile image
bren876 in reply to Rose54

Thank you my doctor's letter does say how my illnesses affects my life, unfortunately I got so scared at assessment I just mumbled my answers and ended up crying through frustration but seeing the DWP reasons for 0 points they have just reversed everything i said.never again will have a assessment without it being recorded.x

weetam profile image
weetam

I have copied this post from an earlier post on the forum by an Administrator as it may be of help to you -

FMA UK have a dedicated benefit helpline, you can ring Janet, or email her for help, advice and assistance:

FMA UK Welfare Benefits Helpline

Phone: 0844 887 2450

Fax: 0844 826 9033

You can send an email from this page:

fmauk.org/contactsmenu/help...

If you need any further help, please contact anyone in Admin who will be more than happy to help you.

Hope this helps.

bren876 profile image
bren876 in reply to weetam

Thank you again I'v just sent them an email

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to bren876

Closure of Benefits Helpline

We are sorry but the Benefits Helpline will be closed from 12th Sept until 10am on 17th October.

weetam profile image
weetam in reply to TheAuthor

That really is unfortunate, I am not really in a position to give advice but if I were you I would try to make contact with a Welfare Rights officer for further assistance (there should be one within your local Citizens Advice Bureau) There is also a very good website where you can get general advice but they will not look at your paperwork but you can ask them questions on their forum but you have to join and I think the cost is about £20 but they also have guides for ESA, PIP etc.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to weetam

Closure of Benefits Helpline

We are sorry but the Benefits Helpline will be closed from 12th Sept until 10am on 17th October.

bren876 profile image
bren876

Awww thank you x

Sorebones profile image
Sorebones

You need to go to appeal, which means you will likely have to go through a tribunal. I had 0 points after my assessment, following the appeal it was in the 20s! After you have lodged your appeal ask for a copy of your report. They have to give you one 🐸

bren876 profile image
bren876

Thank you I know it's going to be a tribunal how heartless are these people that can get paid to write the opposite of everything you say..xx

Robbie138 profile image
Robbie138

Welfare Rights in your local town will be able to help you, I wonder when we go for our assessments should we tell them exactly the opposite of how our conditions are ( like we can run about, swing on trees, jump on trampolines) they would put the opposite then we would meet criteria, as so far we tell them how it affects our daily lives and they put down the complete opposite, why ask us at all. X

rosewine profile image
rosewine in reply to Robbie138

That thought crossed our minds the short time we were on. ESA. I reckon some of the assessors would be top of the fiction charts.x

bren876 profile image
bren876 in reply to Robbie138

Lol that's so truex

rosewine profile image
rosewine

Have a look on the Disability and Rights UK website and particularly at their free Factsheet 36 - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsideration. As far as I know you can ask for a copy of the facts they based your decision on. I know when we went for appeal for OH's ESA but this was a few years back I wrote to them formally saying I wished for a reconsideration and asked for a full copy of what their decision was based on and they sent me a copy of the assessment which we literally picked to pieces. If they refuse you this they are trying to hide something and I think that wouldn't go down well if that fact was brought up if you decided to go to Tribunal if they don't reverse their decision.

Ask one of the Admins but I have a horrible feeling that Janet won't be back from leave until some time in October but double check this. Good luck with this. Hope the Factsheet helps.x

bren876 profile image
bren876

Awww that's brilliant thank you,I did ask for a copy but i was told that they won't be sending it out as they were already dealing with my RC...strange that don't you think? Xx

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi bren876

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and below I have pasted a link to the Citizens Advice cache on ESA Assessments:

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

I can imagine how genuinely upset you must feel my friend but it would be best to prepare yourself for an appeal, so I have also pasted you a link to the Benefits & Work cache on ESA Appeals / Tribunals.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/emplo...

I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

bren876 profile image
bren876

Thank you all for your kindness and brilliant information i wish you all a wonderful weekend..xx

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to bren876

Good luck my friend x

Mags1974 profile image
Mags1974

Hi,I've just had my esa assessment come bk with 0 points too 😱 I requested a detailed report too which was fairly accurate but also a couple of lies thrown in,ie I looked well and fine 😒 I was in bad pain n very uncomfortable and crying most of the assessment 😠 it's very difficult being in a position of not working n slowly getting in debt! This is not our choice to live this way!! I've recently been diagnosed with fibromialga altho I think I've had it yrs,I've got degenerative disc disease,arthritis in hip n pelvis n other areas,and a compressed disc in my neck,o and anxiety,my day to day life has always been a battle just with the anxiety ( altho I'm on the correct medication so I'm on a level with it) without feelin like a 42 yr old stuck in a 90 yr old body! Anyway a wk has past already n im struggling to think whether it's worth appealing or not,I've already signed on js once n will b bk the second time tomo,they seem very sympathetic at the job centre n don't really know what to advice due to my symptoms so at least I have that! Any advice would be very much appreciated xx

bren876 profile image
bren876

Awww so sorry we all know how terrifying this is, please don't give up.

I've just won my tribunal which is scary but you can do it.

Sending you hugs xx

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