Hi All,I am on ESA but have to attend a Personal Adviser Interview - does anyone have any experience of these?M

[cloggy73]

As mentioned in my shorter question I am on ESA and have been asked to attend a Personal Adviser Interview. I am not in a physical or emotional state to go back to work, certainly not my previous employment. I need plenty of rest. I am afraid they will force me into a situation and not understand the fluctuating nature of lupus. How have others handled these interviews? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

M

[cloggy73]

Also just to let you know I am currently appealing to be in the Support Group - not sure that will be successful.

[mstr]

Hi there,

I recently attended one of these interviews with a PA and like you was dreading it. Actually during the visit I was in the middle of a flare up, my voice was hoarse and joints very stiff and sore. The PA was very understanding and empathic. She said that she would normally ask me to return for another interview but that she would just telephone me instead. I am in the work related group of receiving ESA though and my money will end at the end of August this year as the government have still changed the legislation whereby those in the work related group receive this for one year only.

Good luck with your PA interview and I hope it is as positive as mine was.

MTr

[cloggy73 in reply to mstr]

Thank you very much for you response - has set my mind at ease. Hope your flare has settled down.

M

[mstr]

Hi,

Yes thank you it has as it was my worse one to date and think I definitely need additional medication other than placquenil for when this occurs. I will ask at my next rheumy appointment. I think at the interview I explained what medication that I was on, and my symptoms that I was having etc. I explained that I had worked for 30 years until this auto immune conditioned occurred and that I did not like not working etc. The interview was certainly fairly quick (about half an hour). All the best with your one too as I know I worried unnecessarily.

M

[loopy-lou]

Good luck with your interview. I am also on ESA and waiting for mine. Have you waited long for it? I have been on ESA for 8 months and have heard nothing. I don't totally understand the system either. What are the real differences between the groups? I noticed mstr mentioned the government stop paying after a year. Do they take the date from the meeting or the start of ESA. Also, does anyone know if they back pay at a higher rate (after the first 13 weeks) or only in some cases. cloggy, I sound like you, I need so much rest as fatique is crazy! I really hope your meeting goes well-let us know how you get on. Take care x

[mstr]

Hi Loopy-Lou,

I forgot to mention that I am on the Contributions based ESA.

My year and for payment of ESA was taken from when the payments first started. (Started Sep 2011 and will finish Sep 2012)

A good website is dwp.gov.uk and ESA 2012, this explains the relevant updated information and different work related group, support group.

I must admit it has been so helpful to me this year whilst learning to cope with this condition.

I started receiving payment in September 2011 and had to attend for interview with the PA in April 2012.

Regards

M

[Dawnie06]

Hi unfortunatly they stopped mine in April as my partner workes more than 16 hours a week said it is up to him to keep me.

First time in my life I have never had my own money as I always worked till 3 years ago made me feel so depressed. Good job I got a brilliant partner

[cloggy73]

I'm very sorry to hear that Dawnie - could it be worth appealing the decision?

M

[borisminor]

I attended one of these....dont worry they are not about to force you to work its just an interview to see what you can do....my advisor was very nice and sympathetic. Basically its just another one of those hoops you need to jump through in order to have ESA. So dont worry all will be fine xxx

[cloggy73]

Thank you All, you did set my mind at ease and you were all absolutely correct! Had my interview today and the personal advisor couldn't have been more supportive and wished me luck in my appeal. She seemed rather dismissive of the current system. She took one look at my list of meds and symptoms and said don't think you'll be able to work in the forseable future then will you.

Thanks again for your input everyone.

M

[Dawnie06]

I never seen anyone just filled form to say I had lupus fibromyalgia, diabetes and in jan was diagnosed with gbs and unable to walk at mo then had phone call to say letter in post to say benifit would stop in April which it as didn't appeal

[cloggy73]

I'm not entirely sure how the system works but perhaps you can reapply - you'd have to make a whole new application - certainly worth making enquiries. Good luck. M

[seren123]

I am waiting for my form to arrive, I have been on incapacity for 7 years. I have been very stressed this week and feel that from other peoples experiences and info from other sources that Lupus is not seen to be as debilitating as we all know it is. It is a very frustrating feeling and my joints have been worse this week due to the stress.Good luck with your claim.

[mehmet]

hi i am new i am on esa it is a haedack they dont care it dose not make anydiffrence if you are on WRG OR SUPORT G YOU HAVE TO GOFOR MEDICAL IAM ON SUPORT G THEY SENT ME THE FORMS IAM VERY UPSET AND ANGRY IHAVE ATHER PROBLEMS IAM NOT SUPOTO GET UPSET GOD HELP US IF YOU HAVE LUPUS CLAM DLA I HAVE A FREIND SHE GETS DLA

[sabine]

Hi Cloggy73

In answer to your question. I have an interview with a PA tomorrow. In January they said they would see me every 3 months then cut it down to 6 weeks.

You have to be very upfront with them and tell them all of your symptoms and what meds you are on. Their job to to get you back into work and they can be unsympathetic. I claim ESA and DLA I am also scared about the benefit shake up as my DLA was secure until 2014 and my ESA also. I have just started to do voluntary work which is what they asked for. At the end of the day you can only do your best so do not let them bully you back into work when you are ill.

[motherofone]

Hi I have my first interview next wednesday...I do not have Lupus but did a search about these so called ESA Interviews and your forum came up. I am type two diabetic suffer from severe depression...arthritis and other disorders too long to mention. I am really worried about how often these interviews are? I am not a person that gets along with other people so feel paranoid in a room with a lot of people in the same room as me. Please can anyone advise me thanks

[motherofone]

Forgot to mention I am also appealing and am waiting for tribunal to contact me with regard to my outcome of appeal