esa turned down-what next

lesleygraham
lesleygraham Member Posts: 91
edited 16. Sep 2010, 07:53 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi folks-advise needed please.
My brother-in-law, who has been diagnosed with severe RA recently in ALL joints, has just been told he failed the medical for employment support allowance and he will no longer be able to claim this benefit. Apparently, he is fit for work. He is 30 years old and every joint is affected, methotrexate isn't working and he can barely walk, sometimes he can't walk at all and he is agony all the time. All specialist reports say that he is physically extremely limited. He is appealing the decision but he wants to know what he can claim in the meantime for him and his family. Would it be income support or see his disability advisor at the jobcentre.
This is another example of what an absolute joke the benefit system really is.

Thanks Les

Comments

  • haagan
    haagan Member Posts: 84
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    This happened to me, if you are appealing they have to keep paying you at lower rate until appeal heard.
    I would get your appeal in straight away. I'm sorry that he has to go through this farce Good luck with your appeal Fay
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,087
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Lesley

    this is diabolical

    I am so so angry with them :( another person suffering anxiety on top of agony :shock: :(

    Have you read the thread esa /dla/something else?

    Need to appeal Iris( Dorcas) might be able to advise. If there is any agency your bro is involved with who can help - CAB or another similar?

    Sorry am so cross I cant think straight.

    Love

    Toni xx its called atos dwp and esa
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I'm not sure what he's entitled to. Have you tried contacting the Citizen's Advice Bureau for advice? This is terrible news for him and his family.
    I hope he appeals.

    Regards
    Sharmaine

    Hi folks-advise needed please.
    My brother-in-law, who has been diagnosed with severe RA recently in ALL joints, has just been told he failed the medical for employment support allowance and he will no longer be able to claim this benefit. Apparently, he is fit for work. He is 30 years old and every joint is affected, methotrexate isn't working and he can barely walk, sometimes he can't walk at all and he is agony all the time. All specialist reports say that he is physically extremely limited. He is appealing the decision but he wants to know what he can claim in the meantime for him and his family. Would it be income support or see his disability advisor at the jobcentre.
    This is another example of what an absolute joke the benefit system really is.

    Thanks Les
  • patriciamary
    patriciamary Member Posts: 117
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Les
    I am so angry for your brother, this system stinks. He must appeal immediately. I have never applied for ESA, I am on IB since before this lousy system came in. There will come a day I have to go through the same and believe me I will not be holding my tongue.

    Try getting your docs and/or consultant to give reports stating how bad he is and send these (copies, not originals) to the appeal. I get so angry when I hear stories like this because the scroungers are causing the likes of us to be treated this way.

    I was in the chemist waiting for my repeat prescription (5 items 4 weekly) and it was very busy and eventually when I got it I realised that I was probably the oldest person in the queue and the only one who paid for my medication (I have a prepayment certificate). There is a small counter off to the side and several young people came in went up to this counter and were given their methadone free of charge. You can bet that they are not being treated this way and they chose to use drugs we did not choose to be ill.

    I hope you can help him to get this sorted out because when you are in so much pain you get really down when people treat you as if you are a fraud.

    Regards
    Trisha
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Words fail me. (A rare occasion but it has been known.) This system is appalling. He needs to contact all those that are treating him for evidence letters, reports etc and also bring it to the attention of his local MP. I am so, so sorry. Other people will have far better advice. I am just cross. Stupid people, stupid system. Has he thought about joining AC? They do have all sorts of info on many topics. How are you coping with everything lesley? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesley,

    Has he applied for the non-means tested Disability living allowance? He would need help filling in the forms from CAB but it would help him financially. There is lots of advice on here about claiming,

    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein