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PIP and ESA

I've applied for ESA and got it now having assessment to see if work related or support group. As I already get ESA does that mean I'll definitely go into one of those groups or could I be refused ESA completely. Should I tell them at the assessment that I get PIP?

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I use to work for dwp and they have different sections some can claim esa but still able to work (eg depression etc) others have a chronic condition or a disability. I had this issue of them inviting me to appointments to discuss my claim. I linked myself to welfare rights and got a brilliant guy who handled dwp and got them to make sure I was put into the support group which means they leave you alone. Please speak to welfare rights they can sort this issue out, dwp will just keep inviting you, and if your unable to work then you need to be in the support group. Your claim for esa is totally separate to your claim for pip. Dwp have two totally separate sections for esa and pip. Hope this helps?

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Welfare rights is that part of DWP.

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No they're a separate organisation they're worth their weight in gold. They can check letters you receive, check your forms that you need to fill out or fill them out for you. They can also check if the amount you've been awarded is right. If I can help Wendy you know where I am. I had to go into battle with DWP they tried to claim that me and my partner were claiming too many benefits. Having worked for them I knew to keep checking everything via phone and at my local jobcentre. They kept saying everything was correct, I sent all dates and info in to dwp and they investigated and came back to me saying they had made mistakes. Me going into battle with them saved me, you have to check a few times with them. You can unfortunately get someone who knows what they're doing and what they're talking about and then someone else the next time who's clueless.

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Thank you. I have never claimed anything in my whole career and since having a brain tumour find understanding it all so hard. Some days I think I'll try to go back to work but in my heart I know I cannot and never will again. I have an excellent GP and I am just so nervous that I won't get the ESA and HAVE to go back to work.

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Don't worry, I know what your going through you want to go back to earning your own money. I hate claiming and would go back to work tomorrow. Its been hard to accept it and what people don't realise is that you suffer from grief for the person you were. Don't be afraid of DWP you have gone through a lot and now you have to put a claim in. I had to help a lot of people who were refused Esa for ridiculous reasons. If your presenting a genuine case, and with your paperwork it clearly shows you cannot work then they should award you your claim. If they don't you can appeal and thats when you get welfare rights on your side, and they also get you on the support group section. This section means they leave you alone, they won't be asking you in to get you back into work.

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You have just said what my consultant said. I am suffering a bereavement lost myself completely and cannot remember a lot. Need to grow a new person. I used to hate swimming but go once a week to a special class and love it. I was told at school not to take art o level so I've just taken up drawing and love it. Thank you so much for your comments lovely to talk to someone who really knows. X

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Aww Wendy your welcome, I am seeing a trauma therapist for my grief. Able bodied people don't realise that when you suffer from a chronic illness or a disability you lose so much, and you don't recognise yourself anymore. I don't think society helps you can easily become invisible. Its sounds great that your swimming and taking up art. Art will be so relaxing for you, I say go for it. What ever you can do to build a new life is good. I'm so glad to have been some help. I'm always around if you need a chat or some help. My social diary has some spaces free lol xx

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I'm enjoying reading this thread. Its really important to cover this horrible process of claiming ESA/PIP. No one in their right mind claims for either of these if they're not chronically ill/disabled. Great to have sound advice, thanks.

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Hi swedishblue thanks for your kind message. I know from both being an employee and also claiming how hard it can be. You would surprised how many people who are on jsa and quite rightly being questioned as to why theyre not getting interviews or job offers. Some will go to their gp state things like they are suffering from depression or a bad back etc which are hard to disprove and for that they do get onto esa. This then makes it hard for genuine people. I had people come to me in the jobcentre and say they've been refused esa when they've had cancer or other conditions. The system can be so black and white and a lot of people fall through the cracks. But if I can help anyone I will xx

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Can I take letters from consultant and GP to ESA medical?

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Yes you can it just back everything up, I bombarded esa, dla and then pip with every letter and report I had. The staff will always say you can never have too much information. Don't be frightened of this assessment if they're given all the information from you and can clearly see your struggle they will say that in any report. My assessor was saying to me its ridiculous they're asking you when your going back to work. You'll be fine

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angel i get pip and im in the support group for esa. at the the moment i only get my ni contributions paid ( long story ) but that ends in april, does that mean i will start being paid esa?

thaankyou steve,

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Hi Steve esa runs very similar to jsa, there are two section contribution based which runs via how much ni is paid into the system and income based and they look at your situation. They look at if you own your home have savings etc. If I would you I would ring them and ask them to run through everything for you. There is also a section on gov.com where you answer questions about your circumstance and it then collates the info and will then come back to you and tell you what your entitled to. This is something to look at as you might be missing something. If you go on gov.uk then benefits entitlements select benefit calculator then under the heading of calculator press the highlighted entitled to then you start the calculation. As to whether you'll role on and still get esa thats in their hands, I would just keep on their case, you can appeal and decision, and I would get welfare rights or citizens advice involved if it ever got to that stage. I hope that helps

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Hi..I have got my appeals court case coming up very soon, for pip...I felt the assessment I had was directed at a physical disability, I didn't score any points, as my disability is neurological..it is not a visible disability, but very much a disability to me...any advise for my appeal thank you ....kath

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ideally you have evidence of your symptoms from a specialist a Neuropsychologist report would be best. Failing that from your GP if they are aware of your symptoms, the Tribunal will also rely on your personal evidence on the day.

You can send further evidence to the Tribunal Service, who are administrating your appeal, 4 days before the hearing should be OK. If that isn't possible you can take it on the day (although this is frowned upon).

As your say your hearing is immanent you should have the bundle of evidence, which will have the medical report. In my experience cognitive symptoms points are often justified by the questions about your day to day life, rather than addressed directly.

On the day the Tribunal will consist of two people (don't ask), a Judge and a medial professional usually a GP.

If you have time you should have face to face advice so that the evidence you have can be scrutinised.

The best agency to see would be a Welfare Rights service failing that your local CAB.

Ask more if that doesn't help.

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I have sent every bit of evidence I have, including, neuro psyc testing..neurology reports, medical retirement letter from my works, all hospital reports with diagnosis on, discharge letters etc...still I got no points, I'm looking forward to being able to my case across, face to face..but getting so stressed about going, I'm not sure if I will be able to say a word when I get there..I am taking a very good friend as my speaker, as she knows all about my condition and how it affects me...thank you for your reply, and the information kath

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The hearing is very informal 2 tables, judge , doctor & clerk. The judge and doctor will have read the evidence before the hearing and will want to explore your difficulties.

The Tribunal would normally want to hear your evidence and your friend would in effect be a witness to your difficulties. However if someone is too nervous a friend can relay the answers, as I say pretty informal. Many people believe it's going to be like the Old Bailey it's not and the Judge can be helpful in teasing out information to ensure the correct decision is made. They should try and ensure you feel as comfortable as possible.

Normally you get the decision on the day, at the moment around 60% of PIP appeals are successful.

If it's possible you should have your paper evidence assessed by a experienced Welfare Benefit adviser, who should be able to tell you which parts are particularly helpful and how you can expand upon it.

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Thank you very much for your time in repling, and the good information. I will put on this group how I got on, for others who are having to go through this process kath

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Thank you for helping me X

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Welfare Rights are usually part of your local council so check their website for contact details. Well worth utilising their services to help you. They are invaluable in case of a poor result as they will add clarity & weight to any necessary appeal.

Good luck.

Best wishes

CCxx

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Hi Wendy,

This isn't exactly answering your question but I just can't believe how cruel the DWP actually can be.

I got a letter from the DWP the other day and it was waffling on about the PIP and how you must let them know if there are any changes including if you get other benefits.

I despise the DWP. In basic terms, they exist so we can live our lives.... Or that is what we are led to believe anyway. The next thing they are doing is taking that money away. They are greedy bastards and they don't need that money when we do.

In their forms they tell you that they must pay you x amount per week BY LAW.

If you were to save that money in a bank account and you reached £6000 then they will take £1 away from what they pay you.

So let's say they pay £100 per week and you saved up £6000 in the bank, you have got to tell them and then they start paying £99 per week.

If you ignore that and you carry on saving, when you reach £6200, another £1 comes off. They'll be paying £98 a week then.

THE DWP WILL BE BREAKING THE LAW

And why do they want to know if you go on other benefits? Because they don't want to be paying too much money. What they fail to understand is that you might be on another benefit but that is because you are entitled to that benefit but they don't want to be giving you too much money! That's insane.

Rant over. All back to smiles now :).

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As you may or may not know the helpful unemploymentmovement.com website has closed down :-(

Luckily there is a good replacement: respectfulbenefits.forumoti...

where you will be able to get advice on how to best deal with Jobcentre shenanigans, ESA / PIP applications, etc

Please also be aware of benefitsandwork.co.uk/ who also provide excellent benefits info and advice.

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