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Old 22-06-2016, 20:03
TelevisionUser
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I was on ESA for a couple of months until I had my assessment which I got 0 points in which I took to tribunal and they upheld DWP decision. I signed onto Universal Credit but I am having real troubles with my health.

I am hearing impaired which I inherited biologically from my mothers side of the family. Over the past few years I feel my condition is getting worse and worse and in the past 6 months ago is getting significantly worse.

I have been working with my GP to get a diagnosis and have only recently been referred to a specialist.

My problem is I don't feel I am fit for work. Obviously my hearing has gotten significantly worse.

I have constant tinnitus, am sensitive to sound and have sound distortion where sounds and voice are almost robotic and artifical. My ears feel under pressure like when you go up in an aeroplane. I get migrains. I have unsteadiness/vertigo/dizzyness/clumsiness episodes. I have concentration difficulty and a tendency to get hung up on what words I am trying to say.

I have a horrible UC advisor she is very by the book and apparently I cannot claim for ESA because it is something I have already claimed for in the past yet they are expecting me to do 35 hours job search a week and apply for anything and everything I can.

I go to Remploy to see an advisor and even he has noticed a change in me and he said how was I supposed to go for interviews when I am clearly unwell and wouldn't be able to function in an interview let alone in the work place.

I don't know what I can do, UC advisor, UC Call Centre, ESA, all don't care and the one person that does (my Remploy advisor) is basically powerless. It could take up to 18 weeks to get a specialist appointment and I can't sit in front of a computer 6 hours a day when I cant concentrate, have bad migraines, etc..
Under those particular circumstances, I'd suggest making an appointment with a benefits specialist at any one of your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau (see https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ab...advice/advice/ ), local council benefits advice unit or community law centre (depending what is available locally to you) so that you can discuss what benefit entitlement options you now have and what's the right way to proceed from now on. Good luck.
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Old 24-06-2016, 07:04
Tiger Rag
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I was on ESA for a couple of months until I had my assessment which I got 0 points in which I took to tribunal and they upheld DWP decision. I signed onto Universal Credit but I am having real troubles with my health.

I am hearing impaired which I inherited biologically from my mothers side of the family. Over the past few years I feel my condition is getting worse and worse and in the past 6 months ago is getting significantly worse.

I have been working with my GP to get a diagnosis and have only recently been referred to a specialist.

My problem is I don't feel I am fit for work. Obviously my hearing has gotten significantly worse.

I have constant tinnitus, am sensitive to sound and have sound distortion where sounds and voice are almost robotic and artifical. My ears feel under pressure like when you go up in an aeroplane. I get migrains. I have unsteadiness/vertigo/dizzyness/clumsiness episodes. I have concentration difficulty and a tendency to get hung up on what words I am trying to say.

I have a horrible UC advisor she is very by the book and apparently I cannot claim for ESA because it is something I have already claimed for in the past yet they are expecting me to do 35 hours job search a week and apply for anything and everything I can.

I go to Remploy to see an advisor and even he has noticed a change in me and he said how was I supposed to go for interviews when I am clearly unwell and wouldn't be able to function in an interview let alone in the work place.

I don't know what I can do, UC advisor, UC Call Centre, ESA, all don't care and the one person that does (my Remploy advisor) is basically powerless. It could take up to 18 weeks to get a specialist appointment and I can't sit in front of a computer 6 hours a day when I cant concentrate, have bad migraines, etc..
If your condition has changed or you've got a new condition, you can claim again.
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Old 24-06-2016, 11:34
phepia
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I was due to attend my Pip tribunal this afternoon. My rep had wrote to them and asked to change the date as he was unable to attend but the courts refused. Then this morning I had a phone call off the courts saying they had postponed it due to my rep not being able to make the date.
I wish they hadn't. I over ate last night and feel like I had barely slept. I wish it was all over one way of another.
This is not helping my stress or health conditions at all.
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Old 27-06-2016, 16:57
stargirl 2
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Phepia are you saying the rang the same day as your tribinal to say it had been cancelled?

i would have thought that they have to give you at least 24 hours notice surely.

have they given you another date then?
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Old 27-06-2016, 19:59
phepia
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Phepia are you saying the rang the same day as your tribinal to say it had been cancelled?

i would have thought that they have to give you at least 24 hours notice surely.

have they given you another date then?
They rang at 10am for the tribunal at 2pm the same day. My partner wasn't happy as he had had to beg his boss for the day off, and his boss was more than mad at it. He then was left unneeded at home. Especially as he found out he could've gone in after all.
I had basically ate and ate as a coping mechanism also on the Thursday unnecessarily.
They cancelled as they had initially refused to allow a change of date as my ref couldn't make it. Also because I have gone from enh care, std mobility to nothing. And with new health issues something isn't right.

I now have till the 29th July to get new evidence in and they will relook at the case.
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Old 28-06-2016, 16:14
stargirl 2
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Phepia are you saying you were on enhanced care,so i assume you have a full time carer then couldnt they have gone to your tribunal with you?

Are also saying now you have further medical issues than when you were initially awarded your zero points?

What extra extra evidence will you need for them to look at your app again as i remember you saying you sent in a substantial amount of evidence with your application form.

You said that you are also receiving ESA i assume you had to send in lots of evidence to back up your claim, can your pip app not be looked at using the same evidence?
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Old 28-06-2016, 16:49
phepia
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Phepia are you saying you were on enhanced care,so i assume you have a full time carer then couldnt they have gone to your tribunal with you?

Are also saying now you have further medical issues than when you were initially awarded your zero points?

What extra extra evidence will you need for them to look at your app again as i remember you saying you sent in a substantial amount of evidence with your application form.

You said that you are also receiving ESA i assume you had to send in lots of evidence to back up your claim, can your pip app not be looked at using the same evidence?
No official carer, OH works then helps out at home when he finishes work and my needs in between. He earns too much to be able to claim carers. If he is not around I have no choice but to do it myself, but choices are limited to what I can eat, wear and keep clean when he is not around. Food wise I generally eat crap food if unable to cook like cold sausage rolls and chocolate. But since January I have been doing weight watchers so stuff like this is frowned upon obviously (have lost 2 stone with another 3 at the very least)
The only extra evidence I had I sent to the tribunal. Since the first Pip claim I have urine urgency and ibs which both should've added points onto the care technically. And also to the existing problem shoulders/neck I also have tendinitis in right shoulder (it is also in left along with OA of both shoulders and also neck)
Also due to this I have been placed back onto antidepressants for pain relief (not helping) and mood lifter (helping a little, but OH says I still am a moaning witch at times )
I have asked my gp for another letter, but I dunno if she will do it. Generally she's quite helpful but I only asked yesterday so too soon for a yes or now.

I did send in the same evidence for both pip and esa actually. Coincidentally I am filling out a esa50 atm so once again the same evidence as before will be sent.
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Old 29-06-2016, 08:28
jack_marsdin
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My ESA isn't in today so I rang and they said my fit note hadn't yet been scanned and I'll get it Monday. Oh.
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Old 11-07-2016, 05:57
Keyser_Soze1
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It is quite clear from this thread (and personal experience) that the only aim of these 'medical' assessments is both to save money and to cause the person as much stress and anxiety as possible.

Unless the 'client' actually drops dead in front of them 0 points is virtually assured.

They are then sent to claim JSA where the people who work there (many of whom are very decent) have to follow the Gov rules which browbeat and bully people into humiliating submission.

Someone on another forum I read actually believes our benefit system is the most 'generous in the world'.

The media and the gov have really done a wonderful job of demonisation.

Oh and wait until Brexit is completed - this is just the beginning.
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Old 11-07-2016, 06:27
Tiger Rag
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I have my appointment today to fill in my PIP forms. How bloody depressing.
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Old 11-07-2016, 09:31
Keyser_Soze1
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I have my appointment today to fill in my PIP forms. How bloody depressing.
Good luck and that goes for everyone on this thread (I never visit advice usually).
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Old 11-07-2016, 11:34
Tiger Rag
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Thanks. They cancelled my appointment and we got an extension.
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Old 11-07-2016, 13:56
Keyser_Soze1
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Thanks. They cancelled my appointment and we got an extension.
Good luck.

I did not.

I am hoping for the millions await me according to the government and the media.

Or perhaps being hounded to death?
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Old 11-07-2016, 20:38
Keyser_Soze1
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****s who say we have the most 'generous' benefit system in the world.

£73 a week to humiliate yourself 8 hours a day, every day?

**** off.
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Old 11-07-2016, 21:03
Marie_Sale
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My husband has MS and was awarded DLA at the highest level for life. PIP moved the goalposts and he only received the lowest levels so lost his Motability car, his lifeline. We attended a PIP tribunal last week and the panel were horrible, asking him why he couldn't cook!! and why he needed my help to walk into the room. Asked him why he falls a lot. he's got MS and his balance is affected FFS. The doctor accused him of holding my hand from behind to make him unbalanced and asked him if he'd stopped taking his medication or increased the dose to affect his gait. We weren't told the decision on the day as we expected, and DWP say it could be August before we hear as the report has to go the to the decision panel.
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Old 11-07-2016, 21:44
Keyser_Soze1
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My husband has MS and was awarded DLA at the highest level for life. PIP moved the goalposts and he only received the lowest levels so lost his Motability car, his lifeline. We attended a PIP tribunal last week and the panel were horrible, asking him why he couldn't cook!! and why he needed my help to walk into the room. Asked him why he falls a lot. he's got MS and his balance is affected FFS. The doctor accused him of holding my hand from behind to make him unbalanced and asked him if he'd stopped taking his medication or increased the dose to affect his gait. We weren't told the decision on the day as we expected, and DWP say it could be August before we hear as the report has to go the to the decision panel.
The whole system stinks.

It is a modern day scandal that the right wing media has knowingly embraced.

The most vulnerable in society are fair game - meanwhile the rich and the powerful are lionised by everybody.

Things have not been this unequal since Victoria was on the throne - and it is only going to get worse now after Brexit has removed the last barriers of decency.

I wish your husband the best of luck.
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Old 11-07-2016, 22:36
Marie_Sale
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The whole system stinks.

It is a modern day scandal that the right wing media has knowingly embraced.

The most vulnerable in society are fair game - meanwhile the rich and the powerful are lionised by everybody.

Things have not been this unequal since Victoria was on the throne - and it is only going to get worse now after Brexit has removed the last barriers of decency.

I wish your husband the best of luck.
Thankyou.
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Old 12-07-2016, 06:28
Tiger Rag
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Hope it all goes well, Marie.
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Old 12-07-2016, 06:40
izanami
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I was on support group until my assessment a while back. Got a letter back saying they had taken me off ESA completely. MR was unsuccessful so going for appeal. This thread is scaring the bejeezus out of me. I don't know what will happen if (when) they say no.

CAB cannot represent due to cuts, though they did full the forms in. He also reckons that I should be on PIP but honestly I have no idea what that is or how to claim it.
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Old 12-07-2016, 06:42
izanami
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Just an aside to that post, I know that you can reclaim if you get a new or worsened condition but what about if that happens before the tribunal? Should I get in touch with DWP and tell them about my new condition or just wait until the tribunal?
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Old 12-07-2016, 06:55
Tiger Rag
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I was on support group until my assessment a while back. Got a letter back saying they had taken me off ESA completely. MR was unsuccessful so going for appeal. This thread is scaring the bejeezus out of me. I don't know what will happen if (when) they say no.

CAB cannot represent due to cuts, though they did full the forms in. He also reckons that I should be on PIP but honestly I have no idea what that is or how to claim it.
PIP replaces DLA. You can claim PIP if you have a long term illness or disability which means you have care and /or mobility needs and have problems with doing things like getting around safely outside, walking, communicating, interacting with others, cooking a simple meal, taking medication, getting dressed, etc.

You can claim both ESA and PIP. PIP isn't based on income, nor is it based on how much national insurance / tax you've paid. You need to score at least 8 points to receive the standard rate and 12 for the higher / enhanced rate.
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Old 12-07-2016, 07:41
izanami
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PIP replaces DLA. You can claim PIP if you have a long term illness or disability which means you have care and /or mobility needs and have problems with doing things like getting around safely outside, walking, communicating, interacting with others, cooking a simple meal, taking medication, getting dressed, etc.

You can claim both ESA and PIP. PIP isn't based on income, nor is it based on how much national insurance / tax you've paid. You need to score at least 8 points to receive the standard rate and 12 for the higher / enhanced rate.
Thank you. I shall definitely look into it. The CAB guy seemed floored that I wasn't already claiming it.
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Old 12-07-2016, 12:28
mintbro
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If your in the support group and they find you fit for work are you then moved in to the work related group or jsa?
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Old 12-07-2016, 13:19
Tiger Rag
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If your in the support group and they find you fit for work are you then moved in to the work related group or jsa?
JSA is for people who are fit for work, unless you'd be entitled to income support. (youngest child under 5 and a single parent or a carer) Work related group is for those with limited capability for work; but don't meet the criteria for support group.
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Old 12-07-2016, 14:15
izanami
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If your in the support group and they find you fit for work are you then moved in to the work related group or jsa?
I was straight out told to claim JSA
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