Has ANYONE with Fibromyalgia been awarded ESA?

[Ruth14]

Now at Tribunal stage of ESA!!! But wondering if anyone with Fibro has been successful. I also suffer with ME (cronic fatigue syndrome). Really struggling financially so may have to find work. Will anyone employ me when I advise them of my illness??

[jue2829]

i get ESA indefinitely,, was put on it at first because they thought i had psoriatic arthritis, then was told it was fibro, sent review forms back and never had to attend another medical, just told from dwp that i on esa til i either go out and get a job or come off it myself , good luck x

[dottiedog in reply to jue2829]

Just had to fill in another Limited capability for work form so will be having another medical again! Glad you don't have to go throught it .

gentle hugs xxx

[dottiedog]

hi had medical last September was on Income Support& Incapacity Benefit. After medical this was replaced with ESA work related ! Had to go for a work related interview at local job centre. Hard myself in such a state I was crying through most of the interview. My adviser was so nice & told me that I would not have to go to work . She had seen lots of people in the same situation who were worried about their benefits changing. The only thing was I would be expected to have a medical every year!

gentle hugs xxx

[Ruth14]

Thanks both, I have never applied for Income Support, how do I apply for this? xx

[Ruth14 in reply to Ruth14]

Having searched it seems you can't get Income Support if you receive ESA.... this will also affect a lot of us!

[maddonna]

yes.i won my appeal and i'm now on work related esa but i been told by dss than i wont be forced to work.... the yearly medical is to see if my fibro gets worse so they can up my benifits .hope this helps. Donna xx

[paula1967]

ive hard my medical in feb and was turned down and have just had forms sent out for tribuneral but with all the info on this site about how to go about your interview i do feel a bit better but these tribuneral scare the life out of me x

[Ruth14 in reply to paula1967]

Me too Paula, I'm going to read up on it. xx

[Ruth14]

Have just gone through questionairre again and it seems that the doctor that carried out the medical has reported my problems and in going through the points awarded I should have at least 30 and they are saying 0 ?? It seems to be the 'decision maker' that has made the decision I'm not entitled to esa.

I would like someone to explain one of the paragraphs please "Should the Tribunal find that (me) does have limited capablility for work, I respectfully request that they determine whether she has limited capability for work-related activity". What on earth is the difference??

[zebbi]

Hi Ruth,

The very same problem with myself. Went for my medical and could barely move, was told to lie down and lift my legs wish I was crying in pain, also she wrote I could bend down which was a load of lies. I got my report back and also awarded 0 points. I think they should have more qualified doctors doing this rather than a young nurse with no experience which I had. I am so annoyed as going to that medical was 9 miles there and 9 miles home and was so drained for 3 days afterwards that I couldnt even get myself out off my bed. I dont know if I can find the strenght mentally and physically to give going and appeal.

Lets hope that stupid government wakes up and opens their eyes to all us who are ill and stop making us have to suffer more, as if we havent enough

Siobhan x

[Ruth14 in reply to zebbi]

You have just all that I have felt and gone through. The stress of it all is making me worse. Have agreed to attending a Tribunal so hopefully I'll be well enough to get my message across.

Be kind to yourself Siobhan, gentle hugs

Ruth x

[Hidden]

i got turned down coz my husband works 16 hours aweek and im married said i cant claim esa i feel like if i wasnt married and had a husband who was trying to gave us a bit better life and you get kicked in the teeth for it .

[Ruth14 in reply to Hidden]

That is so unfair and doesn't sound right to me. That is wrong in so many ways roggett x

[jayman1960]

The entire system is a joke! I went to tribunal last July having got NO points at my original atos "medical (joke) and was given 15 points and put into the WRAG. I thought that was it sorted but in March received papers for a follow-up review. I filled it out with great details as to all my symptoms and limitations and went for this "medical" - yes, you can laugh - in early June. I could hardly walk into the office and the lady seemed very sympathetic, I took ALL my medication and was out in less than 10 minutes - hardly any questions asked. Yesterday i received the results - NO POINTS again even after going to Tribunal and winning. I am now appealing again and I am relishing the thought of winning again because as we all know, during this past year my symptoms have gotten worse. I'll lose the WRAG component but will still get the basic ESA until we get to Tribunal - which is going to take another 6 months at least. We really must laugh at this pitiful scheme and fight these ATOS idiots together! Dont let it get you down - thats exactly what they want! I intend to make as much work for them as possible and hopefully win again! KEEP FIGHTING PEOPLE!

[jayman1960]

Just so you know - the Tribunal is nothing to be scared of. In fact, it was far more pleasant than any ATOS "medical". Sorry but I cant help laughing whenever I say that because its anything but! The Tribunal consists of you and a friend if you wish together with a REAL doctor and a legal person. They were both so kind and sympathetic and it was over in no time. Just be prepared, dress nicely and remember your doing it for your own benefit. All will be well! I will take these ATOS idiots to tribunal every year if I have to until they get sick of me or start doing their job properly! I have a feeling they'll be chucked out soon enough; the amount of money spent on tribunals is countering any cash they save by ignoring our illnesses and putting us through all this crap x

[Ruth14]

I feel I should write to the tribunal detailing the points I disagree with, but the thought of writing for that long and the strength to think about it, is puting me off doing a report. Do any of you think it is worth doing this or should I just turn up to the tribunal?

Thanks for everyones comments..... it's like we are back to the 1930s with no benefit support for ill people, it's unbelievable!!

[Purplesara]

Had call today to say going to stop my money how can they expect us to work with fibro do they not get it !!!

It's shit to cope with and I never know how or if o will be able to get up in the morning .,,,, how we supposed to work . And who would employ me !'

[dawniee2121]

Apply jsa if you get pip they will top your money up with premiunm ...but if you dont get pip than im not sure hun...i do know some one on this site shared their veiw with us and she said she wasnot worst off with going back to jsa.....hope this thread helps good luckxx