ESA

[dandelup]

I have now had to stop working and have been advised to claim contribution base ESA ( this is a benefit in the U.K.) has anyone else had any experience of claiming this?

[Newdawn Administrator]

This is a comprehensive explanation of ESA. I’ve had to complete the ‘delightful’ process for others but not myself. Ask Citizens Advice Welfare Benefit advisors for help if you get stuck. In some places they have specialist advisors for people with cancer.

esa-assessment.support/docs...

Best wishes,

Newdawn

[dandelup]

Thanks Newdawn most useful, am now awaiting rejection letter saying I’m well enough to work lol.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to dandelup]

It’s not an easy process for sure dandelup so gather as much supplementary and supportive evidence as you can and give clear examples of why the activities are painful/exhausting/risky. Concentrate on the immune suppression risks.

It’s a silly little form that will ask you if you can lift a box or sit in a chair because they’re trying to establish if you could be employed in any capacity.

Don’t spare the details because I can guarantee the assessor won’t understand CLL.

Good luck!

Newdawn

[ygtgo in reply to dandelup]

On top of Newdawns advice ...

I get my local council welfare unit to help me fill in the forms. You can contact them online.

If you have already filled in the forms and your claim is rejected ... contact the council welfare unit and they can help you with any appeal.

I prefer to answer any questions on blank pieces of paper and give them along with the form to the welfare unit who know how to best present your case.

Remember ... once you are in the 'system' of officialdom, don't expect any 'common sense'.

If you like ... message me and I'll try to help if I can.

ygtgo

[dandelup in reply to ygtgo]

Thanks for your info my claim has been rejected as I didn’t pay any ni last year but I didn’t need to pay any as I have paid 30 years of contributions so now another battle to fight just what I need

[terryI_uk]

I've been claiming contribution based esa for the last 2 years and have just received a new claim form, I believe being on treatment makes the process easier and did not have to have an assessment before, I was put in the support group which saved me from having to send in sick notes but have recently been taken off ibrutinib because of side effects, I have an appointment tomorrow with the specialist nurse to fill in part of the form and hope I can carry on claiming as fatigue and aches and pains would make a real job impossible, sorry your claim has been rejected, not sure about paying stamps, I've been paying for more than 40 years and wasn't aware that only 30 years contributions were necessary, good luck with your appeal, God bless, Terry

[dandelup in reply to terryI_uk]

Thanks Terry apparently they check the last two years and their system doesn’t let them go back further than that, I spoke to them this morning and now have to write to get them to reconsider, seems unfair when I have paid full ni for 32 years and may not get a penny in esa.So that could be me stuffed.

[Suzivida]

It is a hard one, the forms are forever and mindless. Contact Macmillan, they are amazing, they helped fill in all our forms and even rang ESA up as they were being difficult. Macmillan always gave us lots of help and advice, the support was amazing. Also have you claimed PIP? Seriously though you really need help filling in the forms so do get help from Macmillan, they do all the hard work to take away the stress from us people that are going through very difficult times. Good luck

[dandelup in reply to Suzivida]

Thanks for your advice pip is next on my list

[Suzivida in reply to dandelup]

Brilliant, they are really easy to deal with, you can also get free road tax via PIP and Macmillan got us a blue badge as well, which helps when you are very weak and can`t walk far. A lot of phone calls, paperwork etc, you will get there. Susan

[dandelup in reply to Suzivida]

Just checking did you get pip without too much hassle then with cll being an acceptable illness for them?

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to dandelup]

Dandelup, if it helps, here’s a PIP self test to see if you think you’d qualify. It’s not the type of condition, it’s the way it impacts and it is tough to qualify for with CLL. Always worth applying though even though it’s a pretty mammoth application form. Get assistance with it as Suzivida suggests.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/perso...

Newdawn

[Suzivida]

I have waldenstrom`s, so when I came out of hospital, my hubby rang them up, they asked for me to confirm a few things and then chatted with Tim. A form came out and it didn`t take long before payments were paid into our bank account. My friend with breast cancer also had PIP (sadly she passed over) It is all really straight forward with PIP, they don`t make you jump through hoops like ESA.