This is an up to date list of desciptors used for ESA claims / medicals. Updated in June 2011.

[westgate]

direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_d...

[trisha64]

thanks these are invaluable ,, is it just me or do the questions and that not really seem relevant to fibro ? x

[westgate]

Agreed, but unfortunately it matters not - these are the criteria they use for ESA. Every time i have a medical i check the criteria and word my answers around the descriptors. there are sections which apply to me and others which dont. its good practise to go in prepared. i always go with my husband cos he can help with explainingwhat i can / cant do. i ensure he has read the descriptors before we go. I have my ESA medical this friday, hence i was checking again!

xx

[66Amanda66]

Good Greif these rules are so strict, they dont take into account most of our problems, symptoms or anything, It looks like if you can raise a spoon to your mouth to feed yourself and go up two steps they will say you are fit for work!! im so scared what is going to happen to me and most of us all who rely on Disability Living Allowance. There is no way i could physically manage to work, God Help Us All !!

[westgate]

Ok - now youve got over the shock of it - read through them again. there will be some which match you. I dont get DLA so i havent looked at the descriptors for that. these are for ESA. msge me if you want to know how to word something or are stuck. For example i have to keep stopping whilst walking due to the pain in my hips and shoulders. this happens from the first step, but i have to stop every hundred metres. ATB xx

[MissKittycat]

Thats a great link... xxx

[Chrisey]

how often do you have to go through filling these forms out and having medical assessments? Once .. twice.. every 12 weeks?

[westgate in reply to Chrisey]

Hi there!

its normally once a year. however i cant fill out forms because my hands cramp up so much. i write it all down on the computer. it takes a while the first time but then its there for whenever i go again. as the criteria change as they have this year, i simply modify the relevant wording.

the only down side for me is that i receive two benefits Industrial injuries and ESA, the ATOS system doesnt allow me to have the one medical to cover both benefit claims. But hey thats life!! its only another car journey, petrol money, pain sitting for the journey la la la la !!!

xx

[Chrisey in reply to westgate]

I know what you mean about your hands cramping up. Mine do the same. How do you fill the form in though? I have already filled one in and they refused me, then my MP got involved and they said I was put in the ESA group then as they reversed their decision but now about they are asking me to do it all over again. Plus I have just filled in DLA forms.. its killing me, I had just come out of hospital last time and was really ill.. had my spleen removed. Seems they want me to do it all over again.. gosh I feel so ill and depressed because of it all.........Do you type out their questions and then put in your answers? Would you get refused because you can type?

[westgate]

ive never had it refused becuase ive typed it. i wrote on the first couple of pages. 'please see attached papers - cant fill out form by hand as my hands cramp up' i staple it to the form and keep a copy. i just write it roughly their sections for example, their section on mobility i write walking as the paragragh title then a few sentences with evidence to support it. ill message you with a few of my notes from last time. lol xx