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Worried sick waiting for reassessment for ESA support group

Posted , 4 users are following.

pollmadoll64
pollmadoll64

I am really scared of the outcome of my ESA home reassessment visit because I have no idea when it shall be . Due to not trusting the DWP at all I might be facing the wrong decision again so feel pressured to be be going for interviews for possible jobs just in case. Does anyone know if we are exempt from these reassessments? I have had unresolved shoulder surgery a year ago and Fibromyalgia for ten years. Facing a very uncertain time? Which is making my Fibromyalgia worse

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo pollmadoll64

    Posted

    I think that if they say we need to be reassessed then unless its a terminal illness you have to have it.

    Try not to worry, it will do whatever it will do so no good making yourself worse by fretting.

    Take care

  • lisa_30752
    lisa_30752 pollmadoll64

    Posted

    Hi im not sure about esa and how that works but try not to stress i have fibro and other things and fibro alone is awful hope you get sorted xxx
  • pollmadoll64
    pollmadoll64

    Posted

    Thanks for your kind messages. I have had to fight the DWP for ESA and Pips and went through hell but persevered and was reinstated with an apology for what they had put me through. The irony is I want to work and get my life back but do not feel physically up to it.
    • anthony97723
      anthony97723 pollmadoll64

      Posted

      Hi Poll

      The probability is you will have an assessment. The DWP are in the early stages of implementing the new guidelines where those with chronic illnesses are exempt from reassessment.

      The best way of getting a successful outcome with either ESA or PIP is to overwhelm the DWP with evidence and link that to the descriptors. It is becoming more normal now for the DWP to wave assessments which seem pointless when faced with the paper evidence.

      Access your medical records and take copies of anything that seems helpful. This can be done very quickly these days and usually costs around £10.

      Having multiple conditions should in theory make your task easier. Fibro is a tricky one as diagnoses is based on ruling everything else out, although it generally comes with additional diagnoses of ME so your conditions are Fibro & ME which as you know means chronic fatigue which can present a complete barrier to work. Add to this your shoulder which could physically prevent you from doing many jobs if the surgery has not resolved the matter.

      Problem is the DWP will probably want you to see an assessor so they can confirm this. I know many claimants have given their horror stories about assessments and the assessors but I think the best way is to put yourself in their shoes. If someone claims they suffer with a condition or disability which affects their chances of working or caring for themselves then wouldn’t you want some evidence of that? If it is not possible to supply paper evidence then it is not unreasonable to want to examine someone to find out if it true.

      Therefore the assessment is an opportunity to give ‘live’ evidence that your shoulder has not resolved itself and you suffer with chronic fatigue. When they ask you to do a manoeuvre it should become apparent that you are either in a lot of pain or simply can’t do it.

      When this is all put together you have a compelling case that you have limited ability for work, which is the whole reason for having a Work Capability Assessment.

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