yesterday [25th Aug] i got another ESA50 form. *i've been signed off work since 5-10-07 = 9yr 10m 2wk 6 days. yet they seem to think i'll suddenly get better. *i've been on sickness benefits since 5-12-07 = 9yr 8m 2wk 6 days. *originally i was on the disability rate of Income Support but i've been on ESA since 19-7-12 = 4yr 1m 6 days. *i had my medical on 3-7-15 = 1yr 1m 3wk 1 day ago. i heard people are often re-assessed every year, so i was wondering when i'd have to go through the dreaded form filling/medical again. *i won my most recent appeal & was moved from ESA WRAG into the Support Group of ESA on 27-10-15 = only 9m 4wk 3 days ago! on both the times i had to apply/re-apply for ESA i went through the same long & distressing procedures... fill in ESA50/enclose medication evidence...[i didn't have a medical 1st time but 2nd time i did]...get put in ESA WRAG...appeal decision=more forms/letters...after months of stress i'm put back into the Support Group of ESA. i understand they can't leave me alone forever as they want to check i'm still ill, but it would be nice if they could leave me alone for longer. having to go through this yearly is enough to drive anyone insane, let an someone with mental illnesses. is anyone else facing this repetitive situation? is there anything i can do to make the time between assessments longer?

Just had phone call from DWP telling me my ESA is ending today(8 weeks after my medical)??? I had my medical on the 1st July 2016,which as usual I have received "0"points! They have told me I have to make a claim today (so that I get a continuation of benefit??) Can somebody please tell me if they can do this with no warning? And will this cause problems with my housing benefit/council tax(which happened to me before, whilst waiting for my appeal and took months to sort out(but lost out on a lot of benefit) so now i'm terrified that its going to happen again!!!! Any advice would be welcome Thanks

Has anyone had a problem with their payments again? My money should have been last Friday. This is the second time in last 2 months. o

Good evening everyone, I was on ESA for approximately 8 months due to a knee and back injury that I sustained late last year coupled with chronic migraines which have been diagnosed by a neurologist last year but have been suffering with for over 2 years. I attended a assessment early this year and scores 0 points and was told that I am fit for work however I feel this is the wrong decision and my doctors agree that i am not fit for work I have been getting signed off continually since my back and knee injury and also provided letters from my doctors however the dwp didn't change their decision. I appealed and have been told my court date is at the start of September. I am petrified!! I suffer with anxiety, severe depression, have been suicidal and I don't go out alone as a result of my current health problems combined with the severe side affects I suffer with from the 8 different medications I take. My conditions have not improved since my appeal and have in fact gotten worse. I have no idea what to expect and am honestly petrified about attending the hearing, what can I expect? Does anyone have any advice? Are there any organisations who can help me with this hearing? What sort of questions will I be asked? Will there be a judge and jury etc? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance

I'm on contributions based esa and I've heard that I'm entitled to Income related top ups. Does anyone know what sort of top ups these are?

I have 2 issues in one really. I will try to explain it all aswell as I can in the first post so as not to dripfeed. last month there was fraud on my bank account. I have absolutely no idea how as I have previously asked for a 50 pound overdraft to see me through a very hard time and was told I could not have one, which is fair enough. I am currently not working due to ill health so its completely understandable that I cannot have credit. However, for some reason my bank allowed a VERY large transfer/payment to leave my account, taking me very overdrawn, to the tune of nearly 4k. Bank don't understand but are denying any responsibility so my account is still overdrawn and I am in the process of taking the case to the ombudsman. I planned on just leaving the account overdrawn until the matter is resolved. On the day this was discovered, I called ESA to change my bank details. They said a payment would still go into this bank account as it had already been issued, but all further payments would go to new bank. As it was short notice, I understood that even though it meant I had to borrow for my rent that week. I understand this is not the fault of ESA. Bank details were apparently changed that day. I was waiting for a backpayment of ESA due to passing a recent tribunal which I questioned and they said nothing was on the system yet so it would probably be at least another few weeks. Payment was made into old account as stated. This was on 21/06/16. I was taken into hospital around my next payment date so didn't realize that my next payment also went into old account (05/07/16). Then, the backdated payment I have been waiting 2 years for went into my OLD account 2 days later. This payment was for nearly 3k. Which was completely eaten up by the negative balance. Obviously I called up about this, the guy I spoke to told me that the system has 2 parts, on one part it said that I had called to update bank details, but on the other part no change had actually been made. effectively they have record I changed my bank, but it hadn't actually been done. I then received a call from the payments team who told me that since the account the payments had gone into had been given by me, there was nothing they could do but they would NOW change my bank details to my new bank. They also tried to tell me that my bank details had indeed been updated when I called up about it originally ..which is impossible as I had to change them DURING this call as they had my old details, and also payment went into old bank not new?! Now. I realize that the initial fraud was not the fault of ESA. However I had been told my bank details had been changed over 2 weeks prior to this payment being made into the old account. I kinda feel a bit mugged off here to be quite honest. Apparently I just have to kiss goodbye to the 3k I spent 2 years fighting for, because someone didn't update the system properly? At the same time, if the ombudsman decides in my favor about the fraud, I shall then be able to access the payment, but that is not 100% certain and also could take months/years from reading around. I have rent arrears and had promised my landlord I would sort it as soon as I got this payment, other debts (less important) had also been told the same thing. I just can't now tell them all that I may not be able to pay them for 6 months+. So my question is, can ESA recall the payments they sent in error? I realize they cannot just issue the payment again as 'technically' I received it (albeit to the wrong account) but I really need access to this, and not a chance of access in a year or so either. The person I spoke to said it is not possible to recall it, but from lurking forums and such I know that often things get said that are untrue because its a bit more effort to actually do what is being asked..

Background info. My daughter has a 4 year old son and is in receipt of IS. She is in a council property and so gets HB and CTC (or whatever its called now) The father of the lad was ousted by my daughter about 3 years ago because he used to gamble and got physically violent with her. A few months after she meets up with another lad and they hit it off together. At no time prior to him going inside did he live at her address. However, this lad had had a head on crash with another vehicle and the driver of that vehicle died. It was found the lad had excess alcohol in his blood and was also under the influence of drugs, so he was to face court and expected to be put away. He told my daughter everything but she stood by him even visited him in jail. Fast forward 2yrs 5months, The lad was recently released from jail having served the minimum recommended sentence and is now back with my daughter. Everything between them is good. The lad had suffered in the collision himself (severely damaged back) and was on ESA prior to going inside. So, on coming out he reapplied for ESA and sent in the required medical note. A week later he gets in touch with them and low and behold the medical note has disappeared and they have no knowledge of it (same old story). So he has to go get another from the Doctors and this time he takes it directly to the centre and makes sure he gets it photocopied and has a member of staff sign it. Today he chases it up and hes now told that he cannot make a claim for ESA because my daughter is getting lone parent IS. So the questions are :- Is this correct? that he cannot get ESA because she is getting this lone parent IS. So what options have they got as they are now financially struggling and were led to believe that he would get the ESA. What are their other options?

Hey, does anyone know if the final ESA payment is issued 2 weeks in arrears? I closed my ESA claim on Tuesday 19th, having got my payment this week on Monday 18th July. Is this my last payment? My doctors certificate ran out on the 19th too. I know with JSA you get the final payment on the next payment date as you normally would, so 2 weeks later. Or now more commonly within 5 working days. The advisor on the phone didn't mention the usual "you'll get any money due within 5 working days..." so I figure I won't get anything. Any help is appreciated, Thanks! EDIT: I went from JSA to ESA, never had any gaps in med certs etc. if this is of any use...

Hi guys I rang the DWP about a change in my circumstances. The guy on the phone told me I had to send some evidence in but the address he gave me sounded really weird- I wonder if anyone knows if this is right?: FREEPOST DWP ESA 36 Thankyou

Is there anyone else who usually would have had their ESA paid in on Friday (8th) not had it paid in? These things worry me and they are closed today, so can't call until tomorrow. Thank you. I also rang my bank and they said there is no payment pending either. Miss Anxious

Hi All I initially claimed ESA contribution and income based in October 2014....went for my medical for this in February 2015 and was told I was being awarded ESA and placed in WRAG Group in April 2015...Letter states that I was entitled to both contribution and income based due to lack of savings but as I have always worked I was being given contribution based...fair enough.... I recently applied for a budgeting loan and was point blank refused as they say I am not receiving ESA income based....I was under the impression that ESA contribution based only lasted for 365 days and that from October 2015 (one year from initial claim) I had been switched to income based as I continued to receive ESA though no letters were sent notifying me of any change over.... I called into the Job Centre to ask them what benefit I am actually on and they have told me that I am still on ESA Contribution based with an Income based element (though this element could be as little as 10p per week)...I asked how is this possible as I have now been on ESA for 19 months and I thought contribution based only lasted for a year? All she said was that this is the way the system is set up...I asked how long my contribution based would last for and she said it could be indefinitely!!!! I have tried googleing this for hours but the only thing I see that could cause ESA contribution based to be paid indefinitely is being placed into the Support Group which I definitely wasn't.... Could someone explain this to me? It just seems that I am being penalised for always having worked ... Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope its not too long winded lol Alison

Hello, I have been on this site before back in 2013. You me with my ESA Tribunal and I won for Depression & Anxiety (plus some mobility issues i was starting to have.) I was diagnosed by my doctor last month of having Fibromyalgia and rang the DWP to report my worsened condition with the doctors diagnosis. The chap explained I was due a review anyway and to wait for the form. With my tribunal notes beside me, it has just took me 2 weeks to finally complete my ESA50 form and getting things to send, I have posted it all up here. Can someone please advise me if this is ok? Thank you. I am hoping to skip medical and tribunal number 2. I know I am only hoping. Thank you. PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHMENTS FOR ESA FORM ... can only upload 5 at a time see other uploads please, thankyou THEN THE SEPERATE SHEETS IS COPIED AND PASTED BELOW (INC MY COVER LETTER) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please find enclosed my esa50 form. I spoke to xxxx from your xxxx branch on xx and i had explained to him my case has worsened. He told me that xx i was due a 3 yearly review anyway and to expect a form in the next few weeks and to just wait till it comes. Then to complete this form with all my new worsened symptoms and send it back to you. I had a tribunal on xx for depression, anxiety and problems with my mobility and was awarded over 20 points. I still have depression and anxiety but my mobility has worsened and i have also developed other symptoms on top of the above. I recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which understandably causes me many problems, some of which are outlined in the form. As with fibromyalgia, there are so many different symptoms, i could never write down all that impacts my life. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- continued sheet, page 1 - xxxxxx – nino question 2 (page 8) … i am constantly in pain & constantly fidgeting to try & ease my pain & uncomfortableness, on the rare occasion if i do find a comfortable spot, it doesn't take long for that to start hurting too so i have to move again. Depending on my day, i can sit for 10mins (bad day) - 1hr (good day). However even sitting down tires me & proving to become very troublesome lately., i have to lay & nap frequently. I am never pain free. Even in bed i hurt and toss and turn alot. Tasks wise, what used to take me a hour to do, takes me all day now & even in that day i may not finish it. For example. When cleaning, we have a small long living room, when hoovering i can barely stand to throw the hoover round, i have weak limbs & become hot & exhausted instantly, i have to sit on the sofa, chairs & computer chair (with wheels.) For the majority time to hoover the floor. The maximum times i have had to stop while doing the hoovering is 3 times. I cannot stand for more than a couple mins hoovering without being in agony. I just feel too heavy, like the feel of concrete & gravity is dragging me down , my limbs feel very weak & stiff to be able to move around like i used to be able to years ago . When i tidy my room, it takes me 2-3 weeks because i have to nap alot & the feeling of after 5 minutes of sorting things , it feels like i have ran a marathon & drop with exhaustion & pain. When i am in the kitchen washing up, i have to sit on my mum & dads computer chair. Depending on the volume of the washing up. Will depend if i have to rest throughout. Normally washing up 1 bowl worth is my maximum limit & would have to rest about a hour before doing another bowl. My dad does my shopping for me, because i can not stand long enough or do it. Question 11 (page 13) always asking mum how to do the oven. She got fed up with me when i was doing it wrong. We have had rows where i am adament what i am doing is correct. She says i remember the layout of our old machines!! (same with the washing machine.) We have a diagram with instructions for how to use them. I still make mistakes because i forgot to refer to the instructions sometimes. Now i am not confident anymore & my mum thinks i mishear things & that i believe i know, but i don't. I remember her telling me certain ways which i now see & i believe are the correct way s but she says she never said it & it is causing big arguements between us. I upset her & she is ill too. As she is housebound she watches me all the time. I feel incapable, a let down & a failure. ….. Continued sheet, page 2 - xxxxxx – nino question 13 (page 13) by time i wake i am never refreshed & already feel extremely shattered, getting up & get dressed is such a chore, it alone feels like i have already been to work for 3 days, went shopping, done a thousand things or not had sleep for 3 days. Not long after being awake, because of my chronic fatigue, i am ready to go back to bed again due to being exhausted just after 1-2 hrs of being up!!! My limit is 4 hours awake. Seriously, i feel my next step is my coffin. I can not manage!! I write lists day before to try to cope. It is hard for me to concentrate, if people interfere & talk to me while i am trying to concentrate, i snap & feel resentment towards them, i want things done to how my head thinks, right now. Or i go into melt down in my head question 14 (page 14) if i am on my own & have noone to calm me down, any change from my plans that i have pre arranged, normally a day or two before, mean my anxiety freaks me out, finding new times makes me aggitated & uncomfortable. Especially with the case of waiting when i hurt & ache, the overwhelming feeling causes me to cry with anger & frustration. I can not cope with change, i know i over think, overload & feel its all too much, i do not know how to make this better as it is in my head. I hate it. Question 15 (page 14) i always have to be with someone. If i didnt have my boyfriend i would be stuck indoors. He is so understanding & patient with me. He's got a portaloo in his vechicle so he can take me on small trips out. I can't move well so rely on him massively. I would not go out alone with my problems & i would not be able to cope. I only see him at weekends. I rarely go out in the week unless it is with my brother or a family friend in their car. (this is only for appointments with my doctor, which they will try to get excused from work for.) As i cannot go out, i have to rely on others, for example. My dad will do my shopping for me. I have not boarded a bus in over a year. Prior to this, with my anxiety & depression & fear of my violent ex, i could only get buses that were convienent to my home, short journeys & dropped me to the exact destination with the return journey being the same. Since my ibs was getting worse (& my soiling episode), it was absolutely crucial that this stayed the same; except the journey has to be kept even shorter & that there was loos on site. For example; my doctors surgery. ….. Continued sheet, page 3 - xxxxxx – nino question 17 (page 15) i had a friend who used to wind me up. Although the issues may have been small to them, but to me they were massive nad made me very angry. I would throw things at them, break belongings & not feel guilty because they hurt me first. I blame these episodes on my lack of patience & anger & the need to protect myself ever from being vunerable again like i was in 2010. I had to delete this person from my life. I know i do still have these angry thoughts & sometimes before i attack someone, i can recognise this and stop myself by taking myself away from the situation immedidately. It takes me days to get over my anger, stress & get calm again. If i can not exit in time, or if someone pushes me too far, i can hit boiling point & see red. I can become a nasty person but i can not stop, however hard i try. If people treat me well, i am ok. My mum recalls times i have gone off at her & remembers a couple of times that she had said something & i have snapped at her in a rude way. This makes her become quiet. She says i am the same to my boyfriend & she knows i do not mean to do it, but it is still hurtful. She adds that she honestly does not understand why my boyfriend stays with me, because if it was her, she would be long gone, regardless of what is wrong with me. Saying it is really like i am still the jekell & hyde character i was after moving back home in 2010. It has not improved. She says i am a “ratty bitch” & is very suprised people have not told me “to do one”. My mum knows that unfortunately because of my anger issues, i can not get help for, she gets the brunt of it. However, she does know i have a lovely side to me, she just misses her. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have also included my doctors letter to them, the list of my doctors problems print out, and my online repeat prescription form, i will send all this is, it is ok? can you see any errors? or anything i should add? Next set of uploads of esa form and docs stuff i have Last set of uploads of esa form and docs stuff i have You may want to remove your name and NINO for security reasons. ESA Claim - RC.pdf

Hi guys I'm wanting some help please I was overpaid esa in 2011 due to a fault of mine now I'm very ill and in a wheelchair I stated to claim esa again 4 weeks ago, today I got 2 letters one stating £60 per fortnight will be taken out and the other letter says £58 per week will be taken out I get £175 per fortnight esa can they take the lot it will leave me with £0 esa every fortnight, I'm married my husbands my full time carer I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old, income is pip at £220 per month, child tax credits at £180 per week, child benefit at £34 and carers allowance , If any one could help me on this matter I'm sure they carnt take all our Esa,

I am posting a thread on behalf of my mother, She claims Income Support and Carers Allowance at present, I am wondering if she can claim ESA and Carers at the same time due to severe depression amongst other things, Which I don't want to post on here... Thanks.

Hi everyone. Been looking on here for advice about Med3 and if you still need to submit one, when awarded WRAG. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi, I'm looking to get some advice on this issue : I went from JSA to ESA, having gone the 13 week EPS with fit notes from my Doctor. I phoned my ingeus advisor to tell them and they are saying I have to attend to focus on where i go from here... I ended the call bemused & upset... I haven't had the WCA Medical assessment, only just started my claim so I assume in the 'Waiting' phase - I'm also awaiting an appointment with mental health professional to go over my issues. I barely leave the house atm & just thinking about the journey into their office has me worried... I'm also confused as I was told previously I wouldn't have to attend, now they changed their story & it's making me paranoid and anxious all over! I have always kept in contact with them but this has made me consider removing consent as it's very stressful getting told one thing then bombarded with them saying the exact opposite. Can anyone help on this issue? I seem to see some people saying it's not compulsory to attend once in the waiting phase of ESA. I've considered phoning the JCP to ask the ESA advisor about this as they are really good and actually helpful.

Been going to Triage for nearly 2 years now, and I am in the work related group. Used to have to attend weekly and fortnightly sessions with other people till they put me onto monthly sessions quite some time ago, as they said they feel that I am not ready for work. So now I attend once a month, and it's a 1 to 1 with an adviser instead of a group. But, I was kept on the same ESA and not put into the support group. 3 weeks ago I had an appointment. It was scheduled for 10am. However, I was feeling ill the night before and didn't fall a sleep till around about 6.30am. I work up about 10.30am, and I immediately contacted Triage. They told me they would have to inform the Social that I had not attended my appointment. This is the 1st time, I have ever missed an appointment. Triage rescheduled my appointment for 2 weeks later, which I attended last week. They then said they wanted a quick chat with me yesterday, so I attended that too. So have had 2 appointments, and attended both since missing the one 3 weeks back. Received a letter from the DWP today saying that my ESA, has been stopped, till I start re attending my Triage appointments. I phone the DWP and told them that I have actually had 2 appointments, and been to both since missing that original appointment. he woman said that, they have had no word from Triage (I phoned Triage after the call and they said that had informed the DWP, but will call me later to see whats happening, to be honest, Triage probably hasn't informed the DWP, as they are not well organized) Anyway, the woman (at the DWP) told me that my payments will restart once they receive word. I said, so have I lost money? She said "Yeah, it's just a weeks payment so far" Just a weeks payment??? I am due Monday (always been paid on Saturday though) Starting to worry I won't even be paid if they haven't been informed from Triage that I have attended since missing the original appointment. But even if I do receive payment, they will deduct a weeks ESA from me for missing that 1 appointment. The first time I have ever done that, not by my own fault, and I phoned when I woke up. But they feel that's acceptable to take over £100 away because of this. Do they have the right to do that to me? P.S Just received a follow up call from the DWP, and the woman told me they have every right to take away 1 weeks benefit from me. I said well personally, that's crazy taking away £100 for missing an appointment. She said well, just like everybody else, if we miss appointments we lose money too by charges etc I didn't say this as it didn't cross my mind during the call but, who the hell would lose a weeks money by not attending a doctors, dentist, etc appointment? She finished off by saying, you only have to do minimum tasks such as attending once a month appointments, and you failed to do that. What a rude woman.

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2016/04/05/brace-yourself-for-the-next-assault-on-the-sick-and-disabled/

Hello, I had an ESA medical assessment on 31st March 2016. I am recovering from mouth cancer which was diagnosed in 2014, I had radical neck dissection, floor of mouth replaced and 3/4 of my tongue removed. I will put off eating as I struggle to move food around and swallowing is very hard, and communicating is almost impossible as my speech has been severely affected. My husband received a call from a Decision Maker today (I am unable to talk or be understood), he was asked if I had deteriorated since assessment which he answered no. He was then informed I scored 0 points and was not eligible for ESA and I could ask for a reconsideration but wouldn't receive any money and I would have to claim JSA. My husband said he did not agree with the desicion and I couldn't claim JSA as I am not fit for work, he said most of the from didn't apply to me I am only affected by eating, swallowing and communication, he gave some examples, then they completed changed their mind and said I am to stay in the support group with a review in 24 months. Is this unusual? I cannot believe in a 10 minute phone call I can go from 0 points to being in the support group. I'm worried my payments will stop.

HI there i am appealing a mandatory review from the ESA. Is there a form that i can use to ask for all info they have held on record about me? If there is could you post a link as i can't find one. Is there also a charge for this? \thanx in advance

I wanted to know what the new rules are with regards to withdrawing consent for the WP to share your info/contact people on your behalf/claim their fat payment for my hard work when I get a job .. as I am sure I read it had changed since last year, also coincidentally each time I attend a review meeting I get loads of spammy job/credit emails in the weeks after which seems a little timely!! Am getting increasingly fed up with the WP provider, by and large I have had a year of having to attend weekly job clubs with slow computers and the like but since I hit the year mark it seems to have ramped up big time, I have a good work history with good companies and a degree and the minute my latest advisor saw it his eyes lit up and I have been pestered left right and centre. I was upped to two job clubs a week and also appointments/training sessions/interview techniques etc on one or more additional days a week and it was getting silly and made me ill so I had two weeks off with stress symptoms. I then had more blinking appointments and changes to my job clubs and was told a few weeks back at 1pm on a Monday that I was to stay after job club that day for extra sessions looking into agencies and applying for more jobs for 2 hours each day that week (mysteriously my letter had 'got lost in the post' telling me this), I kicked up a bit of a stink as I am a single parent and said I had to pick my son up from school at 3 so those times were unsuitable, so with a bit of looking at bus timetables he relented to sessions from 1-2.30 each afternoon that week which was still pushing it as am reliant on public transport which is never the best, I attended the first and then had enough, got upset (I am on antidepressants and suffering severe anxiety at the moment relating to a thyroid condition I have just been diagnosed with) and I decided to get another doctors note for 2 weeks. During this two weeks I had a letter from them saying I had to come in during that time and I politely told him NO, the day my sick period ended there arrived a letter saying I had to attend a review appointment in 2 days time and I just knew he was going to mess me about, sure enough on the Friday afternoon at the appt he says I need to up my attendance to daily sessions of 4 hours, which means dropping my son at school, a 45 min bus journey there, then getting back in just enough time to pick him up, I protested that I had a PC at home and why did I need to do all this on their premises and he said I might 'get distracted' at home (as opposed to their noisy office of course!!), that I had appts to arrange and so on which were being neglected due to them calling me in all the time willy nilly saying they are mandatory and have to attend, and he said as I was a jobseeker I should jobseek during those hours, I have no prob doing this, my JSA agreement says 5 jobs a week and they say 10 which I do easily and have never not done, he is also pressurising me to do full time work/get a better off calculation for FT work, which my JSA flexibilities say I don't have to pursue due to being a lone parent, there is no mention of any beneficial training, and any suggestions for that or clothing for interviews have been shot down in flames, its just flaming jobsearching in their offices every day, presumably so I can't attend any interviews without them knowing and that I get fed up with the arrangement. Its not as if I am not trying to get a job, I have had about 6 interviews in the last few months but none successful, am really fed up with the situation with the WP and its making me feel worse, we are reviewing the situation tomorrow after my session and I know he is prob going to suggest the same again next week when I have 2 inset days at my sons school, I really just resent the fact that they think they can pressure me like this and assume I have no plans for the week or anything else to do, and then get a nice big payment for MY efforts at the end of it all so want to know what my rights are, unfortunately at the beginning I signed all their docs as I was being too blinking nice!! PS. Sorry this is a bit of a rant having looked at it, but felt good to vent!!

OK, I have phoned the DWP to put in my claim for ESA (on 11 February). I obtained a fit note from my GP for the period 11 February until 11 March. I sent the fit note to the DWP and received a text to confirm they had received it on 17 February at 17.54. However, today I received a letter in the post dated 17 February, stating I need to get a new fit note if I continue to wish to claim ESA, as the one I sent to them ran out on 18 February. This letter was sent second-class, so hardly much time for me to act upon the information - I only received it today! Anyway, I'm assuming this letter and their acting upon my GP's fit note crossed, so I don't need to do anything? Is this a standard letter that gets sent out by the DWP (I know that you can self-certify your condition for the first seven days of the claim). I think the letter is very badly worded as it suggests I have already sent them a fit note, even though they don't seem to have dealt with it until the end of the day on 17 February (and their letter was sent to me dated the same day). I tried phoning them this morning to clarify the situation, but there was an automated message saying they couldn't answer my call and to try later. Should I try phoning them again on Monday? Thanks

I think i've found the answer (as usual jobcentre didn't follow proper protocol) but to help others i'll post some links. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/473426/admu4.pdf Page 4 seems to say that i am exempt from any work related requirements due to being a carer. On page 9 claimants who must attend WFI but are not subject to WRA are dealt with separately. From https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-for-decision-making-staff-guide https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/224561/response/568813/attach/html/9/07%20Post%20Work%20Programme%20Support.pdf.html The above details what happens after completing the work programme (NJWFI is the appointment you will likely have had after first being awarded ESA, linked at bottom). Take away is that voluntary claimants (those exempt from WFI and WRA) don't need to attend the completer appointment that follows the work programme (may be another request to attend within 26 weeks). Participation is PWPS remains voluntary in any case. 30. For purposes of Post Work Programme Support voluntary claimants are:  Support Group  Credits Only  Full Time Carers  Lone Parents with a youngest child under one  Claimants at or over the age at which they are eligible to receive Pension Credit  Claimants awaiting their initial WCA outcome  Claimants appealing a WCA decision that they have no LCW i.e. disallowed ESA  IB claimants NJWFI link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/224561/response/568813/attach/html/6/04%20Conducting%20the%20NJWFI.pdf.html

I haven't got an appointment for a medical yet. But I am scared that I won't be rearded whatever you get when you pass. I think it's ATOS. Anyway, in December my a doctor diagnosed me with anxiety but I also have another problem which is not mentioned on my sicknotes,. It's trapped wind which is embarrising and I am seeing the doctor on Monday for both my anxiety and the trapped wind. My brother has been on ESA for about 9 months because of his Herchsprung's deasease. It's bowl related and he has stomach pains which will make him violently sick, he was born with this. ATOS has now taken him off ESA and I am scared that they';; do this to me as I am nervous around new people and shy. Plus with my trapped wind or whatever it is, is painful and lasts hours. I have had medication but nothing worked. Is it possible to pass with a mental problem then with a physical? I'm just wondering.

Hi all, First off, let me introduce myself. I'm Lou. I'll give you a little bit of backstory first: I've been working for years with chronic pain issues, depression, anxiety, migraine associated vertigo and digestive issues. I worked for as long as I could but I just couldn't manage any more so I got my doc to sign me off. I got ESA easily initially. when it came to my assessment, it all went wrong. The nurse that assessed me actually used me being well-groomed against me as she did my hobby of having a beauty blog. The whole thing seemed to rest on how long I can sit or stand for without pain which is now around 10 minutes before I have to start fidgeting because I'm in so much discomfort. I need a stick quite often, a friend has to help me with my shopping or when my cat needs to go to the vet and I am having grab bars put in to my bathroom as I'm having issues lifting my legs over the side of the bath to have a shower as well as struggling to get onto and off of the loo. I have issues getting dressed and undressed, even putting deodorant on is a trial! All of that was ignored!! As for my depression, I spend most of my time wishing I was dead and the rest flying into rages over tiny things that I've gotten obsessed over. Apparently, this wouldn't put me in danger at work, or anyone that I was around. It all amounts to my Mandatory Reconsideration being turned down flat once again, me being well groomed being rubbed in my face which I'm disgusted with. I fully intend to fight it as I know I'm in no fit state to be around people mentally and I'm also not physically fit to manage work either. My doctor is backing me all the way as I kind of figured what the outcome would be. She's going to write me a letter. I've explained to her how day by day, my chronic pain issues are worsening as is my depression and anxiety and this whole thing isn't helping at all. The whole thing is terrifying to me and I nearly burst into tears when I got the letter this morning. The DWP keep referring back to when I filled the form in back in August but I'm so much worse now. I told the assessor this but she seemed cold and disinterested. I'm at my wits end. I pretty much deal with all of this alone. All I have is my cat, Luna, and quite frankly, she's all that's stopping me doing something stupid.