oh no it wasnt that easy ,i had my tribunal which took altogether 1 year and 2 reschedules due to problems with the judges and conflict of interest and i was to unwell so my WRA decided to ask for a paper hearing without me there and luckily i won but they put me in the worng group as with most i got put in the WRAG group which is a joke when im bed ridden most of mty time so then i began a 4 month appeal against the group i was in and it was at this point myslef my carer and my friends put toegtehr this very long letter with all my prescription copies and i had letters from my GP to as i was lucky enopugh tp have decent GP's who didnt mind doinh letter but they werr every basic and i was told by the appeals team that if i hadnt put the legthy letter wrote by me in i probably would still be in the WRAG group......so just go with it and throw as much stuff at them as is possible and it should work......but in the support group i thpught yopu had 2 years to then concentrate on trying to get well enough to go into the WRAG group if your health permits this but i then found out that my case review is due in 2 months so i amy need to start this whole horrid process again but im hoping not as i couldnt deal with this all over again irt would seriously tip me over the edge the first time orund was bad enough just hope maggie cameron hurries up and sorts it out and listens to the people and gets the reform sorted so its easier for us poorly people be able to get help and assistance when needed without all these ridiculous questionairs assesments and near on impossible assesments i think ATOS need shutting down and the process should be carried out by NHS and actual specialist consultants not some supposed pen pushing qualified nurses who know naf all about majoirty of illnesses! so glad CAB are poaying for your letter now and definatley complain about ATOS my local MP is inundated with complaints about how ATOS handled their assesment and how uncompassionate and understancdding they are we just gotta keep hoping these people will get a heart and half a brain somewhere down the line in the not to distcnt future because the fact people with nothing wrong who get higher rater everything should be changed and i dont now how the hell they manage to pass these tests but they pbviously have had a lot of practice.....an old friend told me to go in my ATOS assesment and sit there shaking rocking backwords and forward sand not hardly speak and 'play the game' in her owrds and this worked for her and many otehrs she advised on what to do but i went in there and was completely honest and got 0 points.......it seems the dishinest get everything adn us who are genuine and honest have to fight so hard to get it that nearly 2 years down the line my ill health has deteriated through not only my illnesses but the stress and worry caused by these stupid assesments and unfair eligiblilty tests good luck and let us all know how you egt on im sure youll be ok just remember there is a light of goodness at the end of the tunnell and also if you win your appeal which im certain you will with the correct suppoprting eviudence youll get a backdated payment and i got nearly 3 thousand which was very handy as i was then able to move to a nicer propertty to help make me comfortable whilst im so unwell so it isnt all that bad.....good luck again and try and keep your chin up

I wrote a letter to the DWP ESA team and started the letter dear sir/madam from ESA and then throughout the letter i outklined my illnesses, the meds im on because of the illnessess, the symptoms from the illnesses and the side effects i get from the meds i take and then i went on to write a paragraph in depth of what its liek for me on a daily basis.....this letter turned out to be 4 pages long and by god it did the job!!!!!!! so i would advise that if you cant get a letter from a GP if you put a letter together as i did and then also attach a few photocopies of recent prescriptions or if you have repeat scripts on your prescription rip that bit off and attach.....also in the letter outline the reason you are putting the letter yourself because they are asking for such a ridiculous amopunt for a letter from yuourGP......CAB advisor you are dealing with is probably a welfare rights advisor and if they approach your GP for a suppprting letter they will generallly do one for you without a charge i cant believe how your GP is treating you its disgusting hopefully during the NHS reform heartless incompassionate GPS etc like yours will loosse their l;icesnce or be made to go back to study and re train because they should know as the primary care giver that all of this extra stress isnt doing your health any good so should it not be in your best interest to do you the letter to help your case......KEEP FIGHTING THEM i know uts hard and youll feel like you are going nuts sumtimes but its worth it when you win! keep with it and all the info ive offered discuss with your CAB worker then it will probably make more sense good luck and hope u feel better soon

GO TO CITIZENS ADVICE GET A WELFARE RIGHTS ADVISOR ASAP then get as much supporting docs from GP hosiptal consultants and also copies of any prescriptions you get I failed with 0 points as do most people but then if you are genuine you fight it....im not going to lie its a liong process and can be very stressful and tiresome but your welfare rights advisor will help you loads.....my appeal took 1 year and 4 months and im know in the support group of ESA which i guess is the equivialnt to being on IB and signed off indefinately but i will warn you the new ESA syustem is like a merry go round as told by my wlefare rights advisor and they will keep sending us for medicals and that regularly even though they shjouldnt i found iout the other week iwon my final appeal for the support group yet my claim review date is this april weres the rightness in that i only just got put in the group Anyways the only advise i have is get as much evidence and present it to the court judge and the doctor that will be at the tribunarel thats all you can do and just so you know most people are failing ESA medicals as the governemnt want to get the scroungers off the bens whichs fair does biut unfortunaterly people like us who haqve worked well i did until i couldnt no more and then the battle with the ESA began battle nearly over ill be happy after April as im hoping they will put my next reviewel in a couple years as im on a liot of meds and these are more dibilitating than my main illness although that is to an extent Good luck with it all btw check out HoneyBees stickys at the forts page of work social benefits bit on appeal for ESA that will help you sdo much with what is needed by them and how to approach it...i also found writing a very detailed letter to the DWP outlining my illnesses the meds im on the clinics and doctors i see regularly and an indepth account into how im affected daily by my illnesses and alos my medications. I found this aliong with a copy of mty rather long prescription sheet and also a brief but blunt letter from my old GP did the trick All the best let us know how you get on

This is ridiculous my health is declininga nd i require care through the day and night and am waiting for my consultant to write to the DLA as theyve asked for further information but if i loose my appeal to get a higher rate then as of october the new home i moved into to help me more comfortable whilst im unwell i will loose it as im only 26 im only eligible for the shared room rate which means sharing a house which isnt an option for me due to my health its ridiculous why have they done this? Do you have to get the sever disability premium or misddle higher rate DLA to qualify for HB now buit why what happens if i dont win my appeal for higher rate DLA do i get full HB if i can prove i need care fround the clock? i live in brighton and its very expensive rent here but quality of life when not unwell is much nocer than anywere else ive lived but if i dont win this appeal with DLA i cant top up the extra t that HB covers now but wont in October and cant pay the 500 left after my HB is payed each month i wont be able to eat or survive its a joke I think that if you are on any sickness benefiut at full rate you should still get full HB if your under 35 and dont have a family its unfair so many people are going to become homeless thru this and the last thing people in our situation who are unwell and cant get out of bed most days and never unless i have assistance from my carer. Its so crap just another proof that the governemt are picking in the unwell trying to changeDLA aswell its hard enough to get it now what about if or when the PIP system is set up its going to be like ESA havent they learned that doing these cuts on people on benefits is wrong we need more help than those on high wages fair does people on low incomes to they struggle its just so unfair Any advice on what to do to get my HB payed at the same rate it is now instead of the shared rate?

Wat the hell thats a joke the maximum ive been told i would have to pay is £!5 but i never had to as my old GP before i moved to a nicer better quality home and had to change GPsd now they say any letters are £10 per letter its a joke they shouldnt charge you to write a letter maybe go to your GP and expain that you only get a bit more than 45 a week to lkive on and that that fee is ridiculous and unfair im sure the GP will understand its usually the practice maanger that applies the fees so maybe your GP weillwrite you a letter while your in an appointment with them and youcaqn send copies....do you have an welfare rights advisor if so they will most certainly write to any consultant or doctor onvolved in your care as they did with em and these letter didnt cost a thing???!!!!!! i hope your GP gets a heart and does you the letter it seems unfair....failing support from your GP write a letter outlining your illness and how it effects yuou be blunt i know its embarraing telling a stranger things about your health buit its easy to do and will probably helpo your case loads and include a photocopy of any prescriptions the pharmacists usually dont mind sorting that out for free i always get copies of stuff like that now as im used to this unfair and ridiculous system whichs cutting everyone off benefits and making genuine people figt for it and altho its fair to get the scroungers off these bens its unfair to us asd we suffer and the stress and upset from the appeal made me nearly have a breakdown so its toughj but when you win you know it was worth it i just hope they leave me alone for a few months to tryu and get uszed to my treatments and there side effects which are usually as bad if not worse as my illbness symptoms and iut took many letters from dif people and agencies to make theDWP realise that my illness is worthy of me claiming as its dibilating but i think there systems are outdated! anyway good luck qwith getting a letter im sure you will get it sorted one way or another any more questions just ask good luck Sobs

they did this with me in december 2011 and by january 2012 they had decided i should be in the support group with my case reviewal due in 2 months which seems to contridict the poiint of being placed in the support group but suppose its the ESA merrygo round my welfare rights advised me of just keep with it get as much supporting evidence letters from GPS etc and also copies of prescriptions if you have a lot of meds good luck with the appeal hope u win keep fighting the DWP......the sick and disabled shouldnt have to pay for the mistakes of governemnt and the thousands of fit people scrounging and false claiming benefits its unfair coz us genuine people dont get anywhere withoput a fight its unfair

they diod this to me with DLA appeal it i did and i won im just currently battling to get a higher rate as my healths getting worse but found out last week theyve had to write to a consultant for advise lets hope my consultant knows enough about my daily needs as i only get 15 mins app with her each month its ajoke but appeal it and then when u appeal the ESA and win it they will probably give you DLA they did that with me good luck anyways dont let them get u down!

I am pleased to say that after a year and 3 months im finally in the support group......i got put in WRAg BUT AFTER WRITING WITH THE HELP OF MY CARER A 4 PAGE LETTER OUTLINING IN GREAT DEPTH MY ILLNESSES SYMPTOMS DAILY PROBLEMS AND THE DIBILITATING EFFECTS OF MEDS I HAVE TO TAKE TO KEEP ME ALIVE AND AFTER FIGHTING THE dwp HARD FOR AOVER A YEAR AND GETTING MORE ILL DUE TO THE STRESS AND UNCERTAINTY IVE WON . apologise for capslock but now just to let you all knowe there is hope things to remember in an appeal gety supporting documents from GPS Consultants at hospital and copies of prescriptions also sometimes its better to be frank i was embarrased telling a stranger some iof my problems which are very embarrasing but they need to know......the only problem is i was put in the support group january 2012 and apparently my ESA is up for review in april this year jeez i thought they would leave me alone for a few months at least to tryu and rwest and get better but obviously not hopefulyy whoever looks at my claim will read all the docs included and notes left from advsiors so they can realise theyve only just put me in the group and that means i cant work at the moment i cant wait to hpefully be back ion my feet and go and get some meaning to my life and get a job but until then im goin gt to hacve to keep fiughting the t***ers at the DWP to prove my case i get that theres so many scroungers in this counrtyu oim from a place were most people get hevery benefit and never have never will work have no aspirations etc and thats why i left there and know im unwell looks like im stuck in this rut surviving on the minut bit of money i get whichs not much i want to know how these spongers managed to fake there illness as ive hadf to priovide so mucvh evidence if your unwell where would you get that from? anyways a bit of hope to everyone oin the appeals stage fight them its tiring and you will feel upset angry and drained but its worth the fight!

Hi i hope you get things sorted i was in the same position after battling a year with them to help me while im unwell ive always worked and then when i needed the help they failed me but i won as does most people who have hobnest ligitimat problems response top your post i appealed the group o was in got my friend / carer to help me write a 4 page letter outlining my meds, the effects they have on me as they are more debuilitating than my illnesses got a supporting letter from myGP and then after 3 months of appealing and endless chats with the luimited capaibility teamwho decide which group you are in i found that they had placed me in the supoort group exactly 1 year and 3 months after this awful process began and this whole thing has made me more ill i swear the stress and uncertantey......if i were u and your arthritis is that bad make tnje aware of the struggle youd have to get to the jobcentre....alsdo when i was forst put in the WRAG grioup which your in i rang the advisor when my app came thru with her i rang her and she deferred me for 3 months while the appeal went on maybe doimng thios also helped my case becuase she update notes on my claim which were pwersonal because i went into great detail of how my illness effects me and why i cant be in the WRAG right now hope this helps youll be fine get your GP onside it helps and also get letters from consultants at the hospital and also copies of prescriptions usually help to goood luyck hope u win your case keep fughting them they wont knock us down however much they decide to try !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been found fit for work and put in the work group for ESA. It does not bother me...! By the way you can appeal this decision contact your local CAB or benefits advisor and they will assist you with your appeal.....they will hep you collect supporting medical evidence from consultants etc and psychiatrists etc and then they will put it to the DWP DM who wil decide if they decide against changing your group you can go to the tribunal service and take the matter to the court of law and if your days are that bad you shiould defintely dfo this its worth a shot and they will continue to pay your WRAG comoponent whilst the appeal gopes through....the WRAG group can be tough attending appointments regularly sent for interviews.....if u hav to take loads of meds and are unable to leave your house and stuff then the support group ios dfefinately for you contact CAB and they will give u the advise it sounds like you need!!!! All the best anyways

oh yes definately im not sure on the figures exactly but my psychiatrost told me its more of a genetic disorder thats usually triggered off by certain life effects and that there are many fortunate people whio have the genes passed down from there parents and family but as they dont have any distressing situations in there lives hey are ever triggered thus not causing any problems n all i can say to them people is lucky them and i hope they continue that way becuase i wouldnt wish manic depression bi polar or any other genetic mental health problem on anywone......im not sure about IB i have worked since leaving school when ever possible and its only since ive become really unwell past 2 years that ive got into the benefit system adn its ridiculous circus like act of jumping through hopes...jesus ive paid my taxes for over 9 years and probably paid enough tax to fund my sickness benefit for another couple of years until hopefully im at a stage that my meds are tabelised as is my health problems and then i can return to work....it sounds like IB was much easier to get on to and unfortunately because of those peope who toojk the mick out of the system and hardworker honest people the governemnet have changed the systems and benefits which are designed to make it near impossible to get on them whichs a massive shame because for example my appeaL last altogerther over a year......n this whole period directly caused me to get more stressed worried and anxious this making one of my illnesses a whole lot worse so if they made it were each person was assesed on their individual health issues and care needs etc it would be much farer but instead they have a medical that asks if yu can do your shopping or can you sit and watch tv and then decide if your fit for work its disgusting adn a joke but thank od for the tribunal service and the court of law....they know what they r doing its just a shame peope like myself who are genuine have to eb made mopre unwell in a drawn out process to get a mesley (0 a week to survive on its a bloody joke and is all wrong All im gouing to say is good luck with your asssessment and get as much medical evidence and supporting documents form psychiatrists/consultants.GPs etc becuase you are definately going to need them ....ESA was designed to make it near impossible to get the benefit so your transition form IB to ESA probably isnt going to be a smooth and easy one unfortubnately if i were u id contact CAB and get advice just incase you have to appeal later down the line and also they can help you fill out your ESA50 aswell All the best ho[pe u feelin better soon and get the ESA probs sorted Sobs

if i were you id contact the citizens advice burou sounds like you wil be eligible for ESA but a welfare rights worker will help you fill out the forms get the evidence fro counsilor/GP/consultants etc and if you have to appeal they will heklp with this alos! Also the jobcentre wont tell you if you are claiming the wrong benefit youve been very lucky they told you you may be eligible for ESA and if they say you are you most certainly will but it can be a long and very stressful process as the company employed to do the medicals have been told to be extra stringent so dont be surpirsed if they fail you...aty whioch poijnt you will appeal there decision adn get a CAB workler to do your case and put it together thats why if you contact citizens advice tomorrow or at your very earliest convenience they will help you fill out your ESA50 and also advise you of any other benefits you may be entitled to such as DLA etc ring them tomoroow and they will help you if you have any other questions form someone who knows the appeal process and how it works i have first hand experience after fighting my case for nearly 2 years and i just finally won and have been awarded what i shopukld get whilst im to unwell to work! all the best and keep us updated Kind Regards Sobs

Oh and also during assesment ophae whichs the beggining of the clim to week 14 you get paid a fix rate of £65 same as your JSA then after week 14 you get an extra component either WRAG whichs £26.50 a week or support group whichs £32 but due to the whiole process you may not get the proper rate until maybe a year or so down the line if you ahve to appeal. But you will definately get the assesmnet rate and also housing benefits if thats applicable to your circumstances so dont panic you should be fine all the best adn if you need mor infor check out HB's stickies at the front page of benefits and working tax credits on ESA he has some very helpogla dn useful info on them that yiou will find very useful should you prcoeed with the claim All the best and let us know how it goes Sobs

If you have a sickness or long term disablity or ill health problem you should be eligible for ESDA however i will point out its mainly for those who us who are unfortunate enough to have a long term illness and or disablity.....do you attned hospital clinics and have specialist consultants/doctors/psychiatrists etc? sorry for the intrusive quiestons but im trying to understanmd why you are applying for ESA......you will get help with mortgage its the same as JSA but when you have had the miedical you are put in a group either WRAG or support group butt this is way down the line form now....to start with they will send u a for to fill out which ou need to do in as much deial as possible...and if you do attend hospital clinicsd for long term ill health and or disablities andy supporting documents ie letters regarding medictaions you are on and the illnesses you have form your GP or specialist doctors will be much help! You will need to send copies of them in with your ESa50 form they send out whichs the initail stage before deciding f you are lkigible at which point you will then go onto a medical assesment with ATOS which i wuld advise you take as much medical evidence with you also and also all medicatiobns you are on then they will decide form there...iof you are turned down as about 80% of peple are at the moment you will have to go to court for a apppeal hearing....dont worry this isnt as scary as it sounds and is mainl there to help you the claimant as ATOS are failing many people even though they are uunfit to work due to the governemts drive so at the appeal you see a jusge doctor and or DWP worker and they decide if you are eligible and most appeals that go to thi stage win so dont panic....just get as much supporting medical evidence as you can and send in with your ESA50 when you reciev it in next few weeks.....if you have an illness that isnt long term and have only been signed off for a while i wouldnt advise trying to cvlaim ES but if your illness could lats at least 26 weeks and may get worse then go ahead and claim for it...and there shouldnt be to much of a break in your benefits when you change from JSA to ESA i had to do this and i didn have a brek in any bens i re ieved...and you will still get your mortgage paid for so dont worrry All the best and i hope you start feeling a bit bettr and i dont want to worry or scare you with the info ive goven i just thought it best to make you aware of the entire process you may have to face if you need to proceed. Kind Regards Sobs

Pople who suffer with depression, bi polar dissorder and such have genetic dissorders.....as if you read about it its genetic so i dont understanmd what this has to do with you not been caled to assessments tha seems a little unfair unless your gentic dissorder is that of a dibilatating one to the point you cant walk or move around which i hope isnt the case because that would be awful?!