Benefits and work site

[kookie999]

I just subscribed and registered to the benefits and work site .But to be honest my head hurts just trying to navigate it .I feel like i going round in circles.All i want is to get a guide on how to fill in an esa50 form .I actually feel nauseous trying to find what i want.Can anyone help me ?

[kookie999]

sorry forgot to lock my post

[Rose54]

Contact local Job Centre and they will go form with you

[Creativeness1]

I agree with rose54

I think job centre is best place to contact

;)

[Hidden]

Yes I agree with you, I used the sight for a while but it becomes so intense and so much info you end up with fibro fog! We had janet on our Forum who helps with form filling I.m sure she is still around.

[kookie999 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks i wish i had asked for advice before wasting my money .Well thats what happens when i make decisions late at night when sleep deprived

[Hidden in reply to kookie999]

I think we need to respond and make DWP aware this web sight is not for everyone, it needs some serious breakdown of advise, I do believe its to put us off!!

[mysmugcat in reply to Hidden]

[mysmugcat]

Hi I don't blame you. Is it the direct gov website?

[kookie999 in reply to mysmugcat]

I dont think so .You pay a fee to get help amd guides on how to complete forms or apply for benefits

[Janet28]

Hi kookie999 I see you have recently joined the site so, firstly I would like to welcome you to our wonderful forum. I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you, talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro and learning from their experiences.

It does help with the whole process and I wish I had found the site years ago. I have had Fibro for nearly 30 yrs and I'm still learning about it, like we all are.

I have copied you the link to all the info you need that will help you fill your forms in. Your local CAB office can also physically help you fill the in if you are unable to do it due to your health my friend. I hope this helps and i look forward to chatting with you on the forum.

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

It's also a good idea to get in the habit if locking your posts to the forum, to stop them being open to the internet. Here are simple instructions on how to lock posts.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Peace, luv n light

Jan xx

[kookie999]

Thankyou Janet28 .I havent even been sent my reassessment form but i just worry constantly

[TheAuthor]

Hi kookie999

I am so genuinely sorry to read this, and FMA UK have a benefit adviser who has access to teh B&W website. You could ask her advice as well. I have pasted her contact phone number and web page below:

Benefit Helpline: (Janet) 0300 999 0055

fmauk.org/contactsmenu/help...

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

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Al10]

Get someone to fill your form. Don't stress it. There are agencies, CAB or something who can help or just do what you can with a note saying how ill the form makes you feel. Don't go stewing making yourself ill over it. Your GP might be able to suggest someone?

The questions they ask you to answer really can mess with your head so be careful if you are the sort to ruminate. I think the questions are abusive and designed to be so. They don't make proper sense to anyone.

When I have to say how rubbish my life is, it gets in my head and upsets me for ages. I want to believe I'm ok but I'm only ok(ish) because I don't have to do things I cant do. You might argue I'm not living in the real world and I might have to agree. I can't live in the real harsh world anymore. I simply cant cope there.

Benefits and work offer great advice but what a site. I couldn't even log in most of the time and then there was no way of sorting passwords without emailing them. Dunno if it has improved but sympathise.

I'd rather read up on how to improve my fibro, than figure the benefits system. I think (given science has no answers) we each do have to find our own way. Odd how we are forced to waste our time and energy proving we are sick when all we want is to be well. I know how for too many people this system has furthur ruined their health. Don't let that happen to you. Get help.

[kookie999 in reply to Al10]

Al10 .Thats exactly how i feel .I stress and stew because my livelihood depends on the esa .I have no other source of income. .I will download a form and just take my time filling it .Thanks for everyones support.

[Al10 in reply to kookie999]

If you had another way you wouldn't need to apply would you? It is horrid. Really I would if you can possibly manage it, get someone to fill your form. You can spend as long as you like, weeks even, making your hands and neck and head ache, over and over, stewing manicaly, making yourself sick and depressed, only to be told your beautifully filled and detailed form proves dexterity and ability.

Good luck.

[LaurieLee]

please Kookie don't give up with this site, especially as you have become a member. it helped me get DLA and ESA without a f2f (face to face) assessment.

Here are a few tips

Go to benefitsandwork.co.uk site

1. SIgn in YOURNAME

Sign in PASSWORD

2. PRess on LHS (left hand side) MEMBERS ONLY GUIDES

3. PRess on ESA, updated on 15 Mar on LHS

It literally is all there.

I personally found it easier to download and print it. Yes it can get confusing with Fibro Fog, but do a little at a time. I advised people at our Support Group to get somebody who is really techie to help you if poss.

If you need any further help, just PM or reply.

LaurieLee

X

[kookie999 in reply to LaurieLee]

Thanks Laurielee.I will go back and look at it again.

[Ccupcakes]

Hi Kookie

In a previous life I was a benefits adviser for an FE college, I used the B n W site all the time, when I became ill, I happily paid the fee and when i was refused ESA, their help was invaluable, again, when my first pip application was refused after face to face, their guides and helpline helped me take the decision to pieces a line at a time.

My local CAB, like a lot of them is so overwhelmed and under resourced that they simply couldn't help, and age uk rang me back after six weeks , fat lot of good that was!

Persevere with the site, once you get the hang of it its a brilliant resource.

Cc xx

[Ccupcakes]

Oh yes and forgot to say, was awarded ESA support group on mandatory recon. With back pay, also PIP at enhanced rate for mobility and care with back pay, AND an apology which acknowledged that I should have been awarded in the first place, so good luck, with the right advice it can be done!

[kookie999]

thanks for your advice.