ESA new claim question?

[ancojo]

Hello

 

We had the phone call from the ESA department and now await the form to fill in.

 

I am a carer for my partner, she currently receives DLA MRC and HRM, she also claims IS for us as a family including our 7 year old child, from what i can gather its the disabilty side of IS which is the reason for DWP contacting her about changing her to ESA?

 

She has suffered from arthritis for 6 years now and also has Diabetes type 1 (Injects twice dailly) She is on numerous drugs and is constantly tired due to this. After reading up on ESA on the net she is worried that they will find her "Fit" for work as there seems to be people with serious health issues that are being forced into looking for work! No surprise there then! Some of the decision making i have read is amazingly bad!

 

After reading the teletext today it seems most are "Fit" for work! 1.3 million people tested since 2008 yet 1.22 million are fit to work! So basicaly the majority of disabled claimants are cheats! (In thier eyes) I gather most of these will be put onto the work related part of ESA if not JSA, but even this is an issue for me, my partner wont be going to no meeting to help her to find work even if it is only once per month!

 

There is no way she can go back to work, the arthritis is in her hands and feet and also affects her shoulders, her right hand is curling in and her feet ache all the time, yes she can walk but pain is there and if she walks to far then the pain obviously gets worse even when she sits down! She cant use a walking stick/aid due to her hands being sore if she does for to long so its catch 22, "Shes supposed to have bad feet but doesnt use a walking stick!" She has been on Humira for about a year and that has been quite good for her but shes got realy thin hair due to the methotrexate which she gets paranoid about!

 

I'm rambling now but i'm just trying to explain the situation.

 

Ok so back to my question, if they do decide she can sit at a desk and use a computer with one hand (Sarcasm) will they force her to go to the job centre or can i take over that role? As I'm her carer I could get a part time job but thats the issue, she needs me at home!

 

Any advice on how this all works or just general advice would be very much appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

ancojo

[ErikaPNP]

There is useful information in the 'stickies'. If you come out of this thread and scroll to the top of the benefit subforum, you will see a section highlighted in a horrible green colour. Click on sticky: esa medicals for information on how an ESA medical works.

 

In regard to her attending the Jobcentre, she would have to attend for any appointments made at the jobcentre. You can of course, go with her but you cannot go in her place.

[ancojo]

Thanks for the reply

 

The job centre interview is my main issue as she cannot work wereas i can aslong as i dont need to care for her (Which i do!) I used to be a carpenter/joiner but had to quit to take care of her, i would rather be earning £500+ per week than £55.55! Why dont i go back to it? Simply because neither she or i will accept that someone else should take care of her, i'm her partner its my duty to do so.

 

Is there not a way of arranging or reclaiming IS were i am the main claimer not her so that they look at me and not her? I just dont understand how if some doctor assessing her can say "Yep you can do work in certain areas" means she has to go to interviews that will be a total waste of time just because he/she thinks they may be some sort of job she can do!

 

Its so stupid that one department of government can say she is entitled to care (DLA) and another can say she can go to work! It just doesnt add up!

 

I'm assuming this may happen and to be honest it may turn out that they dont do any of the above, these feelings are due to reading so many people being forced into appeals because of IMO and many others, stupid and incorrect decisions! Its not the first time the powers that be have done this!

 

I suppose we will fill the form in and wait to see what the decision is.

 

One question, what chances are there that they will bypass a medical examination due to the form data we provide? Or is the medical exam almost certainly going to happen no matter what?

 

Thanks again

[leemack]

I'm really rusty on this, but couldn't you claim income support as a carer and your wife come of of incapacity before the switchover Maybe Erika could confirm if that's still a possibility.

[Nystagmite]

DLA and ESA are two different benefits. Having care and /or mobility needs doesn't always stop you from working.

 

Some people won't get a medical. I do know someone who isn't in the exempt groups and managed to pass (or would that be fail?) on the basis of her ESA50.