I've taken control of my own destiny....

PollySid
PollySid Member Posts: 343
edited 11. Jul 2012, 10:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
....and this afternoon I have written a (very long) letter of appeal to the ESA. Once I got started on it the words flowed and I ended up with a virtual essay. I have made sure to say that I want payment to continue whilst the appeal is going through. I put it at the beginning of the letter and at the end just to make sure.

I now have to get a letter from my GP in support of the appeal. He told me last time I saw him that he would support me if I needed to appeal.
I am still waiting for an MRI on my lumbar and thoracic spine.

The good news is that the pain I have had since swimming a week ago has started to subside and I am managing to gradually cut down the medication. Hopefully in a few more days I will be back to my normal doses.

I will post check through it again in the moring then send it tomorrow, so 'fingers crossed' that I have said the right things.

Comments

  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well done so glad you have sorted it fingers are crossed for you val
    val
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good for you, PollySid. All power to your elbow. Well done on cutting back on the meds, too.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done PollySid.......I bet it feels good to have done it :wink:
    Love
    Hileena
  • CJHunter
    CJHunter Member Posts: 1,038
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good for you hun. We need to stand up to the ESA thugs.xx

    Glad pains subsiding too.xx
    Clare xxeyeore-1.jpg
  • Avrielle
    Avrielle Member Posts: 182
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wishing you luck with your appeal. Normally, they have to continue giving you payments while waiting on a tribunial appeal, in the case of failing a medical assesment. There are plenty of exceptions where payment is not given during this period, but if it is simply appealing a desicion against a Work Capability Assesment and going through the appeal services, the rule generally is that they will continue giving you payment, or possibly reduced rate of payment is some circumstances.

    I hope it all goes well. I have written quite a few a letter to the DWP and one of the most prized pieces of additional information to add in regards to an appeal is clearly stating how it would affect you if you did not recieve payment and were forced to be placed on Job Seekers Allowance. This is were I would normally state that refusing my entitlement to ESA would be a wrongful decision as it would significantly worsen my conditions and my life and also that I would be unable to satisfy the conditions of JSA.

    Anyway. I'm glad your pain is not quite as bad as it was. Hope it stays at bay.

    xxx
    Life is just a ride. Up and down, round and around, thrills and chills, very brightly coloured and very loud. But don't ever be afraid, because it is just a ride.
  • earthspirit
    earthspirit Bots Posts: 278
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well done and wihing you success.

    it was during an appeal with DLA that my current condition flared from one that could be managed to one that has left me seriously much worse. my evidence of this is that during one of my very long letters i wrote, whilst typing 8 pages that the effort had caused my joints in my fingers to swell out of shape and i was in excrutiating agongy typing even for 5 mins. i stated that i believed the stress and their interrogation and their really awful treatment of me, was causing a huge decline in my health.

    at that point i did not know i had RA and thought the swelling would go down over time. little did i know, that in that letter is signalled a rapid detrioration in my health that is the one i am currently living with. when they still were disputing my claim, i supplied them with doctors letters which clearly supported me in putting the blame on them. i demanded an examination by one of their doctors and they tried just as hard to put a block on this. a few files of letters to a local MP and the government and my 12 months away tribunal was changed to a full payment of benefit.

    this disease only weakens your spirit if you let it!!! :roll: :roll:
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Pollysid

    Good on you for doing this and as you said once you started writing it all came flowing...Sounds like youve put it down very well and with the support of your GP i sincerely hope you are successful in your appeal..

    Elainex
    PollySid wrote:
    ....and this afternoon I have written a (very long) letter of appeal to the ESA. Once I got started on it the words flowed and I ended up with a virtual essay. I have made sure to say that I want payment to continue whilst the appeal is going through. I put it at the beginning of the letter and at the end just to make sure.

    I now have to get a letter from my GP in support of the appeal. He told me last time I saw him that he would support me if I needed to appeal.
    I am still waiting for an MRI on my lumbar and thoracic spine.

    The good news is that the pain I have had since swimming a week ago has started to subside and I am managing to gradually cut down the medication. Hopefully in a few more days I will be back to my normal doses.

    I will post check through it again in the moring then send it tomorrow, so 'fingers crossed' that I have said the right things.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Polly we are all behind you, I really do wish you good luck with it all, I am glad you have written an essay, it will show them how bad things are.
    Has for the pain since swimming, its good that it has subsided, I will have everything crossed for you xx
    Love
    Barbara

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