A long long battle has been won (yes really!!)

[cutebird]

Hi everyone, I hope this message helps any of you that have struggled with a benefit claim. The last time I received benefits was after I was medically retired in 2011. I got ESA for one year, and then it was withdrawn. I have applied for ESA (again) and went to the tribunal. Was told I must be ok (because I had make up on, and my nails were done) That was from the disability expert on the panel. I had doctor's telling me if I retired, I would be on the scrap heap. I applied for DLA, (twice) pip (once) My universal credit claim went live in March this year, and my council stopped my housing benefit last December. I had my universal credit medical just over two weeks ago. I got two messages on my online universal credit account on friday, didn"t want to open them in case it was bad news. But for once things went my way. One message said I have been classed as having limited capacity for work. The other said they were backdating my claim to last June. This is when I applied for the medical. I couldn't believe it, in fact I can't believe it yet. What helped a great deal, was that I saw a qualified doctor, and not just a healthcare assistant. So I would say absolutely insist on a gp doing you medical, and no one else. And to all of you struggling to get through this system, while struggling with illness - Never ever ever give up. Lots of love to you all xxx

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

CONGRATULATIONS I feel so pleased for you 🤗🤗🤗

[rosewine]

I am so pleased for you it must have been a long hard battle. We too had that sort of battle with my husband's ESA having to go to two tribunals which were onenyear apart so as we had already waited a year it took two years for the original decision of zero points to be overturned and he was given 18. None of it did any good for his mental state and as the government then changed the parameters that if you had been in contribution based ESA for more than 12 months you were taken off it we had won the battle but not the war as a few months later it was taken off him. At the second tribunal the doctor on the panel was a psychiatrist and I am sure as you say that is what tipped the balance.

Unfortunately, so many in the medical profession either don't believe Fibromyalgia exists or know very little about it that people have this totally unnecessary uphill climb to be believed.

Hope you can now relax for a bit you deserve it.x

[mattjoachim]

Good news How do you get a Doctor or GP carry out a Health Assessment on behalf of the DWP. The private companies who carry out Assessments for the DWP employ very few doctors. In fact a recent inquiry carried out revealed one of these companies only employed 2 doctors to carry out Health Assessments The mostly employ Nurses Physiotherapist or Disability Analyst like what they like to call themselves.

[cutebird in reply to mattjoachim]

Hi, I know, it's very rare to get a doctor doing the medical. I don't know if this makes any difference, but for years I've been going to the atos offices in luton. Suddenly I got a medical and the letter says the offices were now in welwyn garden city - which is where I live. So perhaps they have new people working at these offices. I hope other people benefit from seeing a qualified doctor. I hope you have been granted your proper benefits. Take care x

[mattjoachim in reply to cutebird]

I submitted information to an inquiry held into the way Health Assessments are carried out to Work and Pensions Committee held by the Government That question was asked to the person who represented and gave information to the Committee of behalf of Atos [Independent Assessment Services] as to How many doctors they employ to carry out Assessments? Their answer was they do not need to be Doctors as they are not looking for a Diagnosis and are only looking at how your illness or disability effects your functional ability so they mostly employ Disability Analyst to carry out Assessments and very few Doctors and if Doctors are used they mostly used for paper based Assessments not FtF Assessments

[valerienesbitt91]

Go to the cab ask them to help or ask your doctor or disability for area one help you

[Bemoresquirrel]

Congratulations, I’m so pleased for you! Well done for not giving in. x

[cutebird in reply to Bemoresquirrel]

Thank you, I don't believe it! Even though I've read the letters on my universal credit online journal! Thanks for your kind wishes x

[Amel43]

Good I am soo happy for you xxx

[cutebird in reply to Amel43]

Thank you, I can't quite believe it! Take Care x

[Shazzzy]

What a relief for you, well done on persevering

[cutebird in reply to Shazzzy]

Thanks, I don't believe it yet. Seven years waiting is a long time!

[Tullyanne]

Good for you ❤️

[cutebird in reply to Tullyanne]

Thanks, I don't really believe it!! Take Care xxx

[Tullyanne in reply to cutebird]

You too 😊

[Photoali66]

Reading this makes me feel so happy for you. I'm so, so pleased. Well done in never giving up. You've made my rather dull, worry filled day a happier one. Thank you . xxx Wishing you calmer days and a very Happy Christmas. I know it's still November but hey xx

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Always pleased to read good news x