Morning
My first post so excuse any mistakes...
I have someone from DWP/ ESA visiting me on Friday morning, I’m not sure if it’s the same person or two separate people ? That’s how ignorant I am with all this malarkey, and I’m 💩ing myself after hearing so much bad stuff concerning these assessments...so lots advice needed please
I have fibro by the way and arthritis in my back
X
I hope someone reads my post
Hi Tangem, I’m from OZ, so am absolutely clueless about the social security system in the UK. I just wanted to wish you all the best, and try to be positive, cheers Deb 
Sorry I didn’t make my post very clear...they’re coming to do my initial forms, I had a very helpful lady from porch light helping me and she has arranged that they come out to me to do my claims.
Sorry everyone
I didn’t make my post very clear...they’re coming to do my initial forms, I had a very helpful lady from porch light helping me and she has arranged that they come out to me to do my claims.
Benefits & Work website has all the up to date info.
DWP is the department of work and pensions.
ESA is Employment Support Allowance. There are two groups within this snfvuf you’re claim is successful you’ll be placed into one of them. It’s for people who can’t work through illness or disability. It depends how much NI you’ve paid.
You may also be entitled to PIP so make a claim for this too.
Have all of your consultants letters and medication list to hand when they come
Explain how your illness or disability affects you on a bad day.
If you can have someone with you to confirm what you’re saying.
Good luck x
Thanks x
Please, what is PIP?
Thanks!
Jill
It's a benefit payment in the UK, intended to help with the extra costs of disability such as RD, PsA etc or any other long term health condition, or shorter term, eg cancer. There may be something similar in the US Jill if you check with the Dept of Social Security?
Is this assessment, you mean? Definitely have someone with you as witness. You can request it be recorded but may be bit late if Friday; you are also entitled to full copy of report on request, if any probs.
If you struggle with things, e.g. do them but causes pain, make sure you say so: you should be able to do them reliably, repeatedly and safely.
I had good PIP one but disastrous esa, still waiting on mandatory reconsideration 2 months plus later, despite complaint and reminder: make sure they understand what RA is too (mine clearly didn’t whereas PIP one did). the little card NRAS does gives a great succinct definition. Most of all massive good luck x
I have no one to be with me my daughter will be here but she has autism and doesn’t cope well with these situations, sorry what is NRAS ?
Thanks x
NRAS is this forum you've joined. Loads of helpful information & helpful & informative team members.
Sorry to hear that, NRAS is national rheumatoid arthritis society. If you click on 9 little dots next to home at top of page there is browse communities too, think they do fibro and osteo arthritis too. You just click on follow for them as already registered on this one, hope that’s a help x
Where do you get the NRAS card from or is it available online?
You can download it here
nras.org.uk/publications/wh...
Also available in hindi.
Or you can order one to be sent to you
Thanks so much. 💜
From NRAS, probably online order too from their website and also rheumatology depts have it, well mine does in leaflet racks. Says What is RA on front and this on back, Best sum up i’ve read: “Rheumatoid arthritis is very different to Osteoarthritis (OA) - RA strikes at ANY age.
RA is a systemic autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and can cause irreversible damage which can lead to disability. Typical symptoms are joint stiffness, swelling, extreme pain and fatigue affecting one’s ability to carry out normal everyday tasks. It can also affect organs including the heart, lungs and eyes. It can strike at any age, most commonly 40-60, affecting nearly 3 times more women than men. There are approximately 690,000 people in th UK with RA. It is a progressive chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. NRAS is the only UK charity dedicated to improving life for people with RA.” Phew! And they fit all that into back of small business card too 😀 hope that’s helpful x
well done you! says it all; am coming too after 2nd infusion and had to say congrats.. and good luck to newbie too
see aboveto kerena xx
Just had the nicest man from DWP come to see me to start my PIP claim he filled out the form for me
Step 1 ✅
In to the next stage 😬 and ESA 😬😬😬
Such stressy stuff 🙆🏼♀️
Work Capability Assessments
Working from home 
Home teaching
Home from operation
Hubby home
