Can anyone who has applied for ESA due to RA give any tips?

[diane_83]

[allanah]

Hi

My tip is to get help. The form is long winded so do a little at a time. If u can't write it get help and tell them on the form. I went to citizens advice bureau and booked in with their disability consultant who helped me fill it in. You need to prove in effect why u can't or are too sick to work so u could enclose copies of reports or letters, I always keep all my letters and documents for such an occasion. They will get in touch with you Rheumy or GP to check what u r saying is true I suppose.

They might ask u for an assessment, but the fact u r off work, unwell then it's just a formal matter of proving it.

Then when u have completed it photocopy it, cos they do get lost!! If anything changes, for example I got dismissed on ill health and got a pension, so told them of the changes.,

Put in extra pages on any adaptions u use eg splints, crutches, kitchen utensils. Also tell them how it affects you emotionally, it asks how is ur mental health or something like that, I told them how I worry going out alone in case I fall for example.

Good luck and try not to get worried too much, it doesn't help your RA, xxxxxx

[cuddles64]

Hi Diane-83

I have R.A and had a long battle with the Job center and had to go through two medicals with Atos, but I kept every medical letter and doctor's sick notes and every other medical details and sent them to the Job center and also took them with me to my medical assessments. I also applied for D.L.A and finally after almost 3 years I was signed off of E.S.A work related group and placed in the support group. I was also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last summer as well so I guess that pushed things even more for me. All I can advise you is just keep appealing and keep all medical evidence and copies of any you have to send away. Good luck.

Lynda.

[Vonnie55]

Hi, my advice to you is to get help.

There are the obvious places like CAB.

There is an excellent website devoted to helping people in obtaining ESA and DLA and all the important pitfalls to watch out for.

I have had enormous help from it.

Good luck and stick in there.

benefitsandwork or google benefits and work

[oldtimer]

Get help with filling in the form. It matters what words are used.

Add as much evidence as you have.

Keep copies of everything

Don't take their attitudes personally, they are cynical because of people who do abuse the system.

[jeanabelle in reply to oldtimer]

Your right old timer, there is terrible abuse of a really good benefit that people like us need. Listen to what everyone says on here, it is the best advice available. Keep us up to date with your application.

[Sailaway]

As everyone else advises, it's essential to get help from people who deal with this on a daily basis. The CAB was a massive help with the form, and then I paid for access to the information on the benefits and work website (tip: sign up for emails first, and look for the discount code before you sign up fully and make the payment).

One thing I hadn't thought of at all is that you have to be in a negative frame of mind when you write about what you can't do, what you struggle with, what help you need.

I also hadn't realised that the medical isn't a medical at all, it's an assessment of functional ability; so there's no assessment of your disease, only what you can/can't do. Going through it was a really unpleasant experience and I don't have the decision yet. The information on the benefits and work website is excellent for preparing for the appointment.

[diane_83]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your advice I really appreciate it! I will let you know how it goes :/ x