I had a subarachnoid hemorage in 2016 and have not worked since then, I'm currently on ESA and have been sent a questionnaire to fill in. My mother used to help me fill it in but recently passed away. I'm in need of help.
Is there anyone that can help me as my brain is not the same and I struggle with what to write.
Sorry if this is not allowed on here. Thank you Lisa
Do you have a local Headway group, could somebody help you from there if so?
I did go but they said it wasn't for me, it was more for people with special needs not too offend anyone. I was disappointed
Citizens Advice Bureau will help you. You may have to make an appointment.
Hello Applecross1
Do try your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They have considerable expertise on filling these forms in. They will probably be busy so you might have to wait for an appointment. It might be helpful to ask a friend to go with you if this would be difficult for you.
Good luck
Thank you but my form needs filling in asap.
I have tried today to fill in it so not sure if I did it write
Hello - you can ask for more time - if you phone the DWP phone no for your ESA application and explain your difficulties in filling the form in you can request more time. Having said that making phone calls to DWP isn’t easy and it might take a while to get to the right person. It might be worth a try.
speak to citizens advice bereau
go to citizen advise they will help you fill it in .. I’ve just been for advice on what I can get and they were very helpful ..sorry to hear you’ve lost your mum . It’s tough losing those close to us and exasperated by head injuries when the person has left us was also your helping hand .. Sue x
I couldn't wait for an appointment as my form needed filling in. So I just did it myself. Yes my mam helped me with everything since my brain injury. Thank you Sue for your rely x
Hi, I know exactly how your feeling, I used money matters at my local authority and they were great.Similarly, if you claim or intend to claim any other benefits then use them.
Gd luck
Thank you for your reply
Hi, do you have a local adult disability charity you can call? Or maybe your local council will know of a place you can get some personal assistance filling in the forms. It's extremely stressful on your own.I got a lot of invaluable assistance when I was forced onto universal credit in 2022.
It was the job centre work coach I was allocated that passed me the charities number (he was disabled himself, so I was very lucky).
They then gave me the contact number of a volunteer who gave his time helping people complete the PIP application form. Honestly, I wouldn't have understood how to complete the form correctly without his help (he wrote it all out too) and I would have been refused my claim.
However, with his help I was awarded PIP, which is not means tested like UC or ESA. I believe ESA is being fased out and moved over to UC in the next few years but don't worry about that, they will contact you before moving you over.
You could contact ESA and advise them your struggling with the form, they may be able to offer assistance too, even if it's more time to complete it.
Hope this helps some. Have a think about applying for PIP too. Your entitled to it living with a brain injury especially if you can't work.
All the best. Here if you need more support ❤
Tinks 🐈⬛ x
Thank you so much for your reply. I've tried 5 times to get Pip but was refused.
I will try my job coach if I ever get to see her. Not had a meeting for years. Basically I'm on my own. I'm struggling day to day. But thank you.
I did get help at the beginning from a charity called momentum they were brilliant but they were charity based and got closed down. Thank you Tinks x
👋
Wow, five times. I have a feeling you maybe filling it out in the wrong way. I was extremely surprised at how I had to word mine. Its a points system, like everything with benefits, so if your too honest about your abilities on a good day, you loose those points. Mine was filled out like it was the worst I can get for all the questions and how it impacts on my daily living and the dangers it can hold, eg, cooking on my own is a risk, because I loose my train of thought, forget things etc. Fire risk bla bla. Hence I cant cook alone. Or have to buy ready to microwave foods if there's nobody to help me.
The volunteer guy who sat with me and filled it out had the points guidebook, so he knew what points are given for what.
I'd be more than happy to help you if you wanted to apply again?
It's not right you've been rejected and now you've lost your mother (I'm sorry) and her help, you need reassurance of the buffer it offers and the ability to manage your condition as you see fit more than ever. You can even, when/if you may feel able to, find work and they don't reduce it. Basically It's yours because through no fault of your own your life's completely changed.
I could've done with it when I threw myself back in to full time work. It didn't go well and I was left grappling on my own with our cruel benefits system for over a year before I finally applied for PIP. Its not much, but my god it certainly helps.
Hope your okay and like I said I'm here if you need support.
Much love ❤
Tinks 🐈⬛ x
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