Am I fit for work???? Apparently yes!!

[Sumari65]

After waiting 8 weeks to hear the outcome of my Medical, I was finally told that I will no longer receive Incapacity benefit,but will however (for a year only ) receive ESA. I will have to attend work support meetings to be able to stay at the rate they state.

My problem with this is that not only do I suffer with fibromyalgia and CFS, I also have planter faciitis, scoliosis ,migraines and light and sound sensitivity that at times is unbearable. I have been told that appealing and receiving an alternative response would not make any difference, does anyone have any ideas on what I can do....Many Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello there Sumari, I am so sorry to hear about your ESA. The usual thing to do at this point would be to appeal against the decision and go to a tribunal. If you would like us to send you the Benefits and Work info sheets on ESA and DLA, we can send you these for free, they provide useful information on completing forms, assessments and appeals etc. Please email us on [e-mail] and we will be happy to send them to you.

Also if you click on the link below it will take you to an article from our main site at FibroAction which provides information on Benefits and Fibro, this may be of help to you -

fibroaction.org/Pages/Benef...

If you decide to appeal about your ESA claim decision, there is more info here -

direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_d...

I hope you find this helpful, I wish you all the very best whatever you decide. Please be assured that we will do all we can to help and support you along the way. We are always happy to help or at least try to point you in the right direction.

You might also consider popping along to your local CAB (Citizen's Advice Bureau), they are specially trained and have wealth of information on ESA and the appeals' process.

Take care.

(((hug))) xxx

Libs

[Sumari65 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Libs for your help and advice, I felt a bit isolated as non- sufferers struggle to understand .

[SapphireStanton]

dont panic Sumari.

incap and income support no longer exist. ESA is badly named. if they thought you were fit for work it would be JSA not ESA.

I have ben through this. Yes ESA means you have to attend these frankly pointless meetings where you will discuss with the adviser the problems you have and their implications where they usually see that you are indeed unfit for work.

find out if you have a local advocacy for extra help on this.

hugs

SAPPH

[bumblebee57 in reply to SapphireStanton]

Hi Sapphire. I agree that ESA is badly named. EMPLOYMENT support allowance? I was told by an ESA advisor that "ESA is for people who are too ill to work". So you have to spend time, money and effort going into the job centre for these pointless meetings just to be told "Yep, youre too sick to work. Bye....." Theyre paying people to do this????? And they call US wasters???? Why is it that everyone but the government can see that this system is disgacefully wrong??? GRRRRRRRR

[Sumari65 in reply to SapphireStanton]

Thanks Sapph I'll take any advice I can get.

SUMARI ??

[redrosa]

Hi,

I have CFS and Fibro and was on IB for years then had to go through the whole ATOS ESA claim. I was put in the Work Related Activity Group (which it sounds like you have been put in) and will only receive ESA for a year as it is now means tested and my husband works. I am appealing to be put in the non-means tested Support Group as I am bedbound and unable to work! I got great advice from my local CAB and also from the Action for ME/CFS benefits helpline actionforme.org.uk. I am waiting to hear about an appeal date which can take up to 6 months. My local Job Centre spoke to me on the phone and when they heard I was appealing said they would be in touch when I knew the outcome of my appeal. They never put any pressure on me to even come into the Job Centre. In fact they were very helpful and kind. Who told you there was no point in appealing? Whoever did is wrong. Appealing if they have made a wrong decision is important for you and also for the many others out there who are being unfairly assessed as capable of work or of getting back into work. Help and advice from organisations will make it easier and there is plenty of help out there. Also see blacktrianglecampaign.org/.

Good luck x x x

[Sumari65 in reply to redrosa]

Thankyou Redrosa for responding,I'm sorry to hear you are bedridden , I was never that bad but after contracting a virus or two over past few months, I'm finding that I am more housebound now as they seemed to have had a relapse affect on me,once again thankyou and I wish you luck well

Xxx