Hello

[luckyklds123]

This is my first time posting on here so please excuse me if I have posted it in the wrong place. I have been reading a lot of the posts concerning claiming benefits. I first made a claim for esa just under 2 years ago, I have fibomyalga plus ptsd, trigeminal neuralgia, anxiety and insomnia. I went for an assessment and I can honestly say that the lady I seen bare faced lied . Every answer was different to what I had said. I had my support worker with me and she agreed it was complete rubbish. Needless to say I was turned down. I then tried a mandatory reconsideration but was again turned down. I am now waiting for a date for court for my tribunal. Whilst this was going on in made a claim for pip and a lady came out to see me at home. A completely different experience. She was lovely and really listened to me. I was awarded high rate mobility and high rate living. But even this is not enough for esa. I just wanted to say to people don't give up. Life is hard enough with this pain without going through the worry of claiming. I really did think it would be turned down for pip. Happily I was wrong. Good luck to everyone and thanks for listening to my post.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, great to meet you and glad you have started to post please don't be a stranger Well that is good news about you getting the pip that must have taken a lot of stress off you even though you now have to deal with the ESA. I wish you good luck with the tribunal and please keep us updated. xx

Mo

[luckyklds123 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you for your kind reply.

[Aishah50]

Welcome to the forum. Glad your not giving up, as that's what they hope most people will do. The fact you have enhanced mobility and care should be taken into consideration in your appeal. After all the DWP administers both ESA and PIP.

[Sinelg]

So pleased to hear about your PIP success, and hopefully the tribunal will sense regarding your ESA. My friend had to go to tribunal for her PIP, and the day she had to go, she got a phone call to say the tribunal had found in her favour without her having to attend. Apparently, it would seem they look at your paperwork and sometimes realise how stupid it is for you to have to go, and make their decision there and then. Hope you get sorted soon. I've received my first letter to apply for PIP this morning. To say I'm shaking is an understatement. It's awful what they put us through. I got DLA in the early 80s for life, and to think someone with less experience than the medical people I saw then, can reverse their decision, is ludicrous. I don't know why they don't understand that chronic conditions don't ever get better! Sending extra spoons and gentle hugs to all xx