Yay got a phone call to say I had passed my ESA tribunal and no need to attend

[mrsandrex]

Just had a call from the tribunal service to say that I had passed my ESA appeal and had no need to attend this morning. The magistrate decided that I should be put into the support group....am beyond happy, what a flipping relief...phewwwwwww :0)

[jillylin]

Excellent news for you. Well done.

Hugs

[mooo1967]

Well done xx

[fyrefly]

Yay ! A good news story for once, well done, now you can relax

[Hidden]

Great news it's so nice to hear of good outcomes re ESA

[Fibrofoggiest]

I'm so pleased for you, as you say, a great relief and without having to go there this morning must be wonderful.

Foggy x

[gardaqueen]

Great news - really happy for you.

x

[charlii]

That's fantastic news. Well Done! Xx

[Royalspec01]

Hey what can I say hope you get the full use out of the work group theres all types of funding and support that can be applied for to help you back to work so nice for you

[mrsandrex in reply to Royalspec01]

If you are in the SUPPORT group you don't have to work unless you voluntarily do so, as you are deemed not able to. When I first applied for ESA in 2009 after the death of my husband I was in the WRAG group but was told by the lady I saw from the jobcentre that I was not fit enough to work and that she wouldn't bother me again, also that in her opinion I should claim for DLA too. However with this latest assessment I seem to have made a miraculous recovery and should work fulltime, even though I can't even manage to look after myself without assistance! Thank heavens the magistrate took notice of my reams of evidence and deemed otherwise.

[hamble99b]

well done!

sandra.

did you use the benefits & work guides?

[mrsandrex in reply to hamble99b]

thanks Sandra, no I didn't use them as I filled in my form and went to my assessment before I found this site. I stupidly thought that I would be ok as I scored 21 points 3 years ago and I have got much worse since then, but in their opinion I have nothing wrong with me!! Wish I had starting researching and found this site before I did anything, but then we are all wise with hindsight. :0)

[mrsandrex]

Thanks to you all for your kind responses, I am on cloud nine as it has been over a year since my ATOS work capability assessment and I managed to score 0 points. Just goes to show that the courts system can deem that I have submitted enough medical evidence to support my case without seeing me in person and yet the DWP take a different view.

I am taking 20 pills per day for rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, allergies and fibro but as yet the inflammation is still out of control and I can barely take a step without being in agony. The RA is not gonna go away, no matter how much I want it to, because it's a degenerative disease. The Rheumatologists can't even get it under control and just keep doubling the dose of disease modifiers every 3 months and taking blood every 2 weeks to check the levels! I wish I could just have one day without constant pain because I can't remember what is was like to have no joints or muscles hurting.

If I could physically go back to work I would be there like a shot as I certainly would be able to earn one heck of a lot more than I get on ESA, it's certainly no picnic not having a pot to pee in. Great that I have been given support group too and not work related activity group as I can concentrate on getting my body sorted without the added stress of being pushed into a job that I am not physically capable of doing...well until I get called in for another assessment of course.

I don't know that I would have had the mental strength to carry on with the tribunals if it hadn't been for the support and encouragement I got from CAB as I had one for DLA as well earlier this year and was granted high rate mobility and low rate care. The ATOS assessment was the reason that I was denied DLA as well as ESA. To be honest sitting in front of the tribunal panel was not as bad as I thought it would be, I think it is more the fear of the unknown that gives you the collywobbles. Personally I found the judge and the disability representative were very understanding, but the doctor there was more judgemental and just wanted to trip me up. The disability lady was great as she asked all the questions that needed to be asked and knew from our conversation that I had exactly the problems that I had evidence for. It's not until you become disabled that you realise how difficult the easiest of tasks is and what the pitfalls are of ordinary daily living.

The best of luck to anyone else who is going through the appeals and tribunal stages. Keep strong and don't give up

Andrex xx :0)

[KimLH in reply to mrsandrex]

Mrs Andrex, congratulations on a successful appeal, could I ask how long you have waited for this decision, I put my appeal in in early Dec 2012 and have not heard a thing, should I phone or just wait, thanks in advance, gentle (((((hugs))))) Kimlh

[mrsandrex in reply to KimLH]

Hi Kim, I have been appealing their decision to stop my money as they considered that I had no limited capability for work since last April...So I would also say that it takes around a year from starting to appeal to going through the tribunal as well...have you sent every piece of evidence you have got to dwp?

[KimLH in reply to mrsandrex]

Yes I have sent letters from doctors etc... all the forms they asked me to fill out and all the paper work from the jobcentre from meetings I had with them, I tried to claim for job seekers allowance but was told as I was unfit for work I was not entitled, so not sure why ATOS seem to think that I am capable of going back to work, thanks for your reply will just keep waiting x gentle (((((HUGS))))) Kim x

[mrsandrex in reply to KimLH]

fingers crossed for you that they make a decision in your favour and you don't have to take it any further xx

[Sharolina]

Congratulations it`s nice to be able to breathe again isn`t it!

[mrsandrex in reply to Sharolina]

It sure as heck is!!! I feel as though a ton weight has been lifted from my shoulders :0)

[Cheeky39]

How did u pass your tribunal without attending any help would be helpful thanks