Library

This is a library of information and files about the British benefit system. They are specifically aimed to help people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia, Post Viral Syndrome, and similar conditions, but anyone can access them.

Currently the focus is on Employment & Support Allowance, but Personal Independance Payment and Universal Credit information will be added and adapted as and when it becomes appropriate.

For those who do have the conditions these files and posts are aimed at, you can join our Facebook group for additional help.

Help M.E. With Benefits

We have experience with these forms, and are very happy to offer you advice. We also have a Helper System, whereby we can either check over your forms before you send them off, or help you to fill them in.

Because we specifically wish the group to remain on topic, we also have a social group where we can share woes and jokes:

Chat M.E. Up

(Note, it is not a dating group).

As documents and posts are added to the site, links to each one will be added below:

ESA:

- What is ESA? Explains ESA, Contributions Based ESA, Income Related ESA, Work Related Activity Group, Support Group, payment rates, and outlines the process of application.
- ESA50 Download tthe ESA50 (the long questionnaire) as a PDF
- Filling in the ESA50 A helping guide to completing the ESA application form. 
- ESA50 Example Answers for M.E. & FM This post goes through each question, suggesting M.E. and Fibro specific answers. You should hopefully be able to find answers that meet your circumstances here. 
- ESA Descriptors. Descriptors are used to score your application for ESA. 
- 3 Ways into the Support Group & the ESA Suport Group Descriptors. Meeting any one of these will place you in the Support Group. 
- Special Circumstances Explains in simple terms how you may be exempt from filling in the ESA50 and / or having to do the medical assessment (work related activity assessment)
- Regulations 29 & 35 This is the legislation to use if you should be exempt from filling in the ESA50 and / or having to do the medical assessment (work related activity assessment).
- The Physical / Mental Dilema Explains how physical and mental health symptoms are taken into consideration.
- I Can But I Can't Explains how to fill in the form for tasks that you can sometimes, but not always, do.
- Aids & Appliances Talks about how Decision Makers can assume the use of aids and appliances you do not own.
- Supporting Evidence Talks about how a decision is made, the different types of evidence, and discusses how to write supporting letters. 
- Assessment Centres Check that you will be able to cope with the centre you've been assigned.
- What to expect from the Work Capability Assessment If you're looking for the part about home medicals, it's right at the end.
- Questions You May be Asked A post copied from dwpexamination outlining the type of questions you may be asked, and how to understand them, in the Work Capability Assessment.
- Work Capability Assessment Centres A list of UK centres. 
- Work Capability Assessment List of Questions The list of questions you may be asked in the WCA and how to answer them. 
- Challenging a Decision. Describes what to do if you don't agree with a decision. Use the GL24 to Request a Reconsideration of to Appeal, for ESA, or DLA. 
- Work Related Activity - Explains what the Work Related Activity Group is, and gives ideas as to what you can do.
- Sanctions Explained What are "sanctions"? When are they applied? How much will I lose?
- Tidbits of ESA Advice Anything extra that doesn't fit in the other posts.
- Document for requesting reconsideration Description's in the title ;)

Other Material:

- Work Capability Assessment described by Joyce Drummond Joyce Drummond is a nurse who worked for Atos performing assessments for ESA.
- SYMPTOM SECTION of the International Consensus Criteria for M.E. Useful to help fill in the ESA50
- International Consensus Criteria for M.E. Useful to include as supporting evidence if you have an official diagnosis. 
- Canadian Consensus Criteria for M.E. The symptom section, plus a download of the whole available. 
- 'About your illness and disability' example answer How I answered this section of the ESA50
- Why you need to save information you find Explains why it's important to save information you find that could help with your claims
- GL24 Word Version (Use this to request a reconsideration or appeal of ESA or DLA).
- GL24 PDF Version (Use this to request a reconsideration or appeal of ESA or DLA).
- Request for Reconsideration Example The document shows you the format I used to make a reconsideration request after I was turned down for DLA.

Document for requesting a reconsideration

Below you will find an example document for requesting a reconsideration. This was my own document when requesting reconsideration for DLA. It's exactly the same format I would use for ESA (I just don't have my ESA one available to copy). 

When you receive the decision on your ESA, you should receive a document with it called the ESA85 - the 'explanation of reasons'. If you do not receive this, contact the DWP and request it as soon as you can. Once you receive this document:

• Try not to let it get to you. Remember you're just a statistic to them, it's not meant personally. If it makes you emotional, leave it a day to come back to it.
• Go through with a pen, marking each point you disagree with.
• Create a document, type each point you disagreed with into it.
• Go through your evidence, one piece at a time, checking against the points you disagreed with.
• On the document, create a list of evidential statements, that disagree with the points you copied into the document previously. Name the piece of evidence, and quote the part or parts that disagree with their conclusion. (See my example below to understand this better).
• Try to treat it as a business matter. Remain professional. Inserting emotion tends to rub them up the wrong way; what the outcome of the document is, is of no consequence to them, so appeal to them by making it as simple and easy as possible.

Address
Address
Address
Address

National Insurance No.: XX111111X


Date



To whom it may concern,

I’d like to bring a few points to your attention before I present you with my reasons for requesting a reconsideration:
1)    The Decision Maker who spoke to myself and my partner, told my partner that she had not looked at my evidence before making the decision. As such I would like to be sure that the Decision Maker who revisits my case does actually look at the accompanying evidence, please, particularly at the report written by Dr ### ####### whom performed the home medical for ESA.
2)    The ESA medical assessment (from which you have some evidence) was recorded; you are very welcome to have a copy of the recording to use as additional evidence should you believe this to be helpful – please contact me if so. Similarly, both my counsellor and case worker are independent witnesses whom are happy for you to contact them.
3)    This document has been dictated to my partner.

It was been stated that:
I can walk over 50 metres, slowly, in a reasonable manner.
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr ### #######:

• Page 3: “Suffers with Orthostatic Intolerance – where standing or sitting up causes blood pressure to drop. Passes out due to this.”
• Page 4: “Feels knackered on little exertion”
• Page 4: “Seemed tired, exhausted”
• Page 8: “Stood up with physical help”
• Page 8: “Jerky body movements – said felt dizzy and unsteady”
• Page 8: “ Walked few steps with unsteady gait”
• Page 8: “Unable to stand still with eyes closed”
• Page 8: “All reduced movements due to pain, weakness, stiffness”
• Page 29: “Severe functional disability seems likely with mobilising”

•    I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 10: “Often bed bound and unable to go out”
• Page 11: “Very slow: less than 40 metres a minute.”
•  
• Page 11: “I walk very slowly due to severe, significant, pain in my knees, pelvis, hips. I also have poor balance so unless I walk slowly I fall. I often use a wheelchair when outdoors due to severe fatigue.
• Page 12: “I cannot walk without physical support.”
• Page 12: “I would fall without physical support.”
• Page 12: “I would injure myself without physical support.”
• Page 12: “If I am well enough to go out without using the wheelchair I have to use a walking stick or link arms with another person”.
• Page 12: “I would fall and hurt myself without support.”
• Page 21: “Out in the community I am usually in a wheelchair”
• Page 22: “My muscles are weak, I am in constant pain, my co-ordination is very poor due to constant severe fatigue.”
• Page 22: “I cannot weight bear due to pain, fatigue, and carpel tunnel syndrome in my wrists.”
• Page 22: “My last fall [before filling in the form] was April 25th.” (Please note, that is the date the form was submitted – I fall nearly every day).

It has been stated that:
I don’t need help to use a cooker, use kitchen tools, carry and lift safely, plan a meal, or motivate myself.
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr ### #######:

• Page 4: “Struggles to wash hair and body due to pain.
• Page 4: “Can’t do buttons”
• Page 4: “Unable to cook”
• Page 4: “ May need meat cutting up”
• Page 4: “Unkempt. Very unkempt room and house”
• Page 8: “All reduced movements due to pain, weakness, stiffness”
• Page 12: “Reduced power grip – point weakness” (nb, I drop things)
• Page 12: “Reduced power both arms – point weakness”
• Page 29: “Severe functional disability seems likely with mobilising”

•    I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 14: “My concentration is poor”
• Page 17: “I need a lot of encouraging and prompting to get out of bed as I am constantly exhausted.
• Page 17: “I need reminding it is time to go to bed.”
• Page 17: “Most days I don’t get up until between 11 and noon” [if I get up].
• Page 17: “I wear the same clothes for days at a time as it is too exhausting for me to dress.”
• Page 17: “I often wear my nightclothes or wear my day clothes to sleep in.”
• Page 22: “My muscles are weak, I am in constant pain”
• Page 23: “Somedays I cannot cut up food as my fingers are so weak and my wrists are painful.”
• Page 23: “I need constant reminding to eat and drink as [..] it is too much effort.”
• Page 24: “I cannot open blister packs / medicines due to pain and my fingers and wrists.” {And I cut my tongue on one yesterday).
• Page 24: “I need reminding to take my medication as I am very confused by fatigue.”
• Page 28: “I am too fatigued to cook.”
• Page 28: “My concentration is very reduced and I forget I am cooking and burn food.”
• Page 28: “ I cannot lift hot pans due to weak muscles and carpel tunnel.”

It has been stated that:
I do not need help getting in and out of bed, to wash and dry myself, to use a bath or shower, to dress or undress, to get up and down stairs, to move about indoors, to eat and drink, to take part in social activities, or to communicate.
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr ### ######:

• Page 3: “has speech impediment at times.”
• Page 3: “has difficulty in crowded rooms”
• Page 3: “sound sensitive, light sensitive”
• Page 3: “Does not get washed and dressed if not going out.”
• Page 3: “Has shower sitting on ground – due to low blood pressure – a day before going out.”
• Page 4: “Struggles to wash hair and body due to pain.”
• Page 4: “Needs help to get dressed.”
• Page 4: “Wears loose fitting clothes.”
• Page 4: “Can’t do buttons.”
• Page 4: “May need meat cutting up.”
• Page 4: “Copes to move indoors holding furniture.”
• Page 4: “Copes to go downstairs on her bottom.”
• Page 4: “Copes to stand up once a day.”
• Page 8: “Stood up with physical help.” [from bed].
• Page 34: “Severe functional disability seems likely with mobilising.”

•    I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 10: “Wheelchair: cannot self propel due to severe debilitating fatigue.”
• Page 12: “Even if I am well enough to go out without using my wheelchair I have to use a walking stick and link arms with another person. I would fall and hurt myself without support.”
• Page 14: “I suffer from anxiety and need someone with me outdoors as I get distressed.
• Page 14: “My concentration is poor and I can be in danger crossing roads.”
• Page 17: “I need a lot of encouraging and prompting to get out of bed as I am constantly exhausted.
• Page 17: “I need reminding it is time to go to bed.”
• Page 17: “My body clock is very confused.”
• Page 17: “Due to pain I need physical help to get into and out of bed.”
• Page 17: “Most days I don’t get up until between 11 and noon” [if I get up].
• Page 17: “I am in too much pain to often brush my hair.”
• Page 17: “I wear the same clothes for days at a time as it is too exhausting for me to dress.”
• Page 17: “I often wear my nightclothes or wear my day clothes to sleep in.”
• Page 21: “I am often unable to move about indoors at all due to severe fatigue and pain.”
• Page 21: “I am often unable to use the stairs at home.”
• Page 21: “I avoid stairs as I have fallen.”
• Page 21: “I need help to get into and out of my wheelchair due to pain and fatigue and being unable to weight bear.”
• Page 23: “Somedays I cannot cut up food as my fingers are so weak and my wrists are painful”
• Page 23: “I need constant reminding to eat and drink as I cannot bring myself to eat / drink as it is too much effort.”
• Page 25: “I have panic attacks and cannot answer the telephone or deal with strangers.”

It has been stated that:
I am aware of common dangers, not at risk or harming myself, not at risk of aggressive or anti social behaviour, not at risk of falling, not at risk of neglecting myself, and not at risk of danger from dizzy spells or blackouts.
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr  ### ######:

• Page 3: “Suffers with Orthostatic Intolerance – where standing or sitting up causes blood pressure to drop. Passes out due to this.”
• Page 8: “Jerky body movements – said felt dizzy and unsteady.”
• Page 8: “Declined squat – due to feeling unsteady and weak”
• Page 34: “Severe functional disability seems likely with mobilising”

•    I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 11: “I also have poor balance so unless I walk slowly I fall.”
• Page 12: “I would fall and hurt myself without support.”
• Page 13: “Yes, I fall and stumble when walking outdoors.”
• Page 13: “Poor balance, severe extreme debilitating fatigue and pain.” [cause me to fall and stumble].
• Page 13: “I stumble constantly, and have a ‘proper fall’ every 1 – 2 weeks.”
• Page 13: [I need help after a fall because] “I am disorientated, unsteady, and in significant pain.”

It has been stated that:
“I do not need help to sleep comfortably or to adjust bed covers”
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr  ### ######:

• Page 4: “Can’t do buttons”
• Page 4: “Unkempt. Very unkempt room and house”
• Page 4: “Feels knackered on little exertion”
• Page 8: “All reduced movements due to pain, weakness, stiffness”
• Page 12: “Reduced power grip – point weakness” (nb, I drop things)
• Page 12: “Reduced power both arms – point weakness”
• Page 22: “My muscles are weak, I am in constant pain”

•    I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 29: “I awake in pain and cannot get comfortable.”
• Page 29: “I get distressed during the night and ruminate on post issues of abuse in my life.”

•    I would like to mention that while none of the evidence says I need help to sleep comfortably, I never do sleep comfortably. Even sleeping medication and night pain meds (which you’ll find listed on the form and the ESA medical report) do not help me sleep properly.

It has been stated that:
“I am aware of common dangers, not at risk of harming myself and not at risk of anti social behaviour”
•    I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr  ### ######:

• Page 8: “ Walked few steps with unsteady gait”
• Page 8: “Unable to stand still with eyes closed”

•    I would also like to refer you to the letter from Simon Painter, of MIND:

• “The consequences of these traumatic events left Ms ##### terrified for her life and suicidal.”
• “[..] severe and frequent panic attacks where she lost all sense of reality.”
• “During these panic  attacks Ms ##### would self-harm; scratching, biting, and hitting herself: she would hide and frequently regain awareness in unfamiliar locations.” Note: Mr %%%%% has personally seen the wounds from these attacks.
• “[..] feels at times that she ‘doesn’t want to be here anymore.’.”

•    She hasn’t mentioned it in her supporting letter, but I would like to suggest you call my case worker, ???? ??????, from DIAL, and ask her what happened the first time we met. I am not proud of such moments, but they happen with increasing frequency.

I hope you do not mind me asking that you do not telephone me this time. I am telephobic, as such receiving unexpected phone calls can cause an anxiety attack. This is mentioned on Page 25 of the DLA Application Form. I am currently left alone in the house during the day, which leaves me at risk of anxiety attacks if anything unexpected happens. If the phone call with the previous Decision Maker had been recorded, you would be able to hear a panic attack starting; unfortunately I’m told that no such recording exists. If you do wish to speak to someone who knows me, both ???? ??????? and %%%% %%%%%%% are willing to take a phone call from you.

Kind regards,



Name

Has your GP refused to help provide you with medical evidence?

"As all of you will no doubt be aware, Black Triangle and our sister organisation Disabled People Against Cuts have assembled a first-class legal team to take forward legal action against Local Medical Committees and individual GPs who have launched a disgraceful ‘Just Say No’ to providing Further Medical Evidence Campaign.

This campaign seeks to persuade GPs to deny sick and/or disabled patients the Further Medical Evidence (FME) required to support their ESA applications and achieve justice before First-Tier Social Security Appeals Tribunals.

We have already identified a number of cases with “standing”.

Our law requires that the party, or parties bringing a case before the courts must demonstrate:

“sufficient interest in the matter to which the application relates”

i.e.

“an individual who is directly affected by a decision or other measure” who will on that basis have a “sufficient interest”.

In our case, this means anyone who has requested FME from their GP to support their case with the DWP and has been refused (Their refusal to provide FME is the matter to which our legal action relates).

We now invite as many of you as possible who have been refused FME under this policy to make contact with us immediately so we can progress our case further, in the most legally watertight manner achievable, without further delay.

Sick and/or disabled people deserve and have an absolute right to expect better than this from our medical professionals.

The LMCs ‘Just Say No’ Campaign is a a disgraceful betrayal of patients by LMCs from across Britain.

It is, quite frankly, mercenary behaviour that is both morally repugnant and, as we shall fully demonstrate, unlawful.

We are going to put a stop to it.

In the initial stage, please text John McArdle at 07778316875 with ‘Refused FME by my GP’ in the line. We will then phone you back to discuss your case and take it from there.

Yours in solidarity

John McArdle

Co-Founder

Black Triangle Campaign

Edinburgh, 7th October 2013"

(Copied and pasted from the black triangle website http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/ ) 

Challenging a Decision

The DWP seem to either turn people down, or give them a lower award than is appropriate. For example, putting someone who should be in the ESA Work Related Activity Group when they should be in the Support Group, or awarding someone Low Rate Care for DLA when they should be on High Rate Care.

It's been explained by some people as a test to see if people are really legitimate. The theory being that if they truly deserved the benefit they applied for, or a high award than they were given, they would fight for it. This does not stand to reason, as they do not then take the benefit away from people who don't fight for higher awards. As such, I can only presume that this is a last ditch attempt to save a few pennies.

If you do not agree with the award they give you, or you are turned down, do not let it lie. Do not be afraid to confront the DWP. 

I pretty much expect the DWP to mess everyone around. As such, I prefer you to be ready for it.

Whether it was ESA, DLA, or PIP you have applied for, the process, if you disagree with their decision, is the same.

Wait until you are calm, because writing in anger does no one any good.

They give you a time limit within which you must respond. You have two choices:

- request a reconsideration

- request an appeal

If you request a reconsideration, your case will be placed before a Decision Maker again (when you made your original application, a Decision Maker looked at all your evidence, and made the decision which you just received). It will not be the same Decision Maker as the first time. (You can check this; the decision document has the Decision Maker's name at the end of it. You will receive another such document after the Reconsideration, which will also have the Decision Maker's name at the end of it. The two should not be the same). This Decision Maker will look at your evidence again, anything new you have submitted, and your reasons for requesting a Reconsideration. They will then send you another decision document.

If you decide to Appeal a decision, you are asking to go to tribunal. As part of the Appeal process, your case will be Reconsidered (as described above), before going to tribunal. (It saves them money if your case does not go to tribunal). If the decision is not over-turned by the Decision Maker you will go before a tribunal panel. It can take anywhere between 3 and 18 months to be seen by the tribunal panel (depending upon where in the country you live). 

Going to tribunal means you go before a panel to whom you can state your case. You can take someone with you, who may or may not be allowed to speak on your behalf. It is just you, whomever you take with you, and the tribunal panel in the room; it is not a public court. The tribunal panel consists of three people; usually it will be a medical professional, a legal professional, and an independent witness from the disabled community. They will ask you questions about how your illnesses affect various things. You can point them to specific bits within the evidence that the Decision Makers may have over-looked. 

You may be able to submit further evidence at the Tribunal, but it's advisable to submit it as early as possible; they can argue that they are assessing you as you were when you made the original application for benefit, so any later evidence is not applicable.

As many as 70% of cases are over-turned by the Tribunal panel. So, going for Tribunal is not to be overly feared. It is very stressful though, so it really is better to state your case clearly and concisely from the beginning.

One of the overwhelming messages from people with M.E. and Fibro being seen by the tribunal panel is that it is usually the disabled person on the panel who gives them the worst reaction. This is most likely because M.E. & Fibro are not visible, as their condition may be. As such, it is imperative to paint a very clear picture of how you are affected. You cannot ignore one person's attitude, as all three are in the position of judging your case.

My advice, usually, is to go straight for an Appeal. The reason being that your case will be seen by a Decision Maker, and possibly over-turned at that point. If it is not you are automatically placed in the queue for the tribunal panel.

However, there are cases where I have not advised this. Using myself as the example is easiest. I received the decision documents for DLA in August. The date I was given to challenge their decision by, was the beginning of September. I had a various medical tests lined up on September 10th and 16th, which could provide further evidence for my case. As such, by requesting a Reconsideration (which I assumed would turn my case down again), I was delaying my request for an Appeal, so that I could add any new evidence to the Appeal request form.

How to Challenge the Decision!

To challenge a decision, use the GL24 form, which you can download here or here

(Though, to be honest, I totally forgot to use the form, and they still accepted my request for reconsideration).

You will have been sent a list of reasons as to why your case was turned down. These lists usually read like they are referring to someone else, and often feel as if someone is telling lies about you. It's perfectly normal for it to seem that way, don't worry.

You need to challenge these reasons, either by referring to the evidence you already submitted to the DWP, or by referring to the new evidence you will be submitting with the GL24. The GL24 only provides a tiny box in which for you to write. Do not be lulled into thinking that filling that box will be sufficient. If you use the Word version of the GL24, you can type as much as you want to. If you use the PDF, you will have to staple further sheets of paper to it.

It's far easier to show you than to explain how to challenge them, so I am copying a section from my request for reconsideration. This is how I've approached just one of the statements from the Decision Document. You can view the whole document here.

It has been stated that:

I don’t need help to use a cooker, use kitchen tools, carry and lift safely, plan a meal, or motivate myself.

·         I would like to refer you to the ESA Medical Report Form written by Dr ######:

•  Page 4: “Struggles to wash hair and body due to pain.
•  Page 4: “Can’t do buttons”
•  Page 4: “Unable to cook”
•  Page 4: “ May need meat cutting up”
•  Page 4: “Unkempt. Very unkempt room and house”
•  Page 8: “All reduced movements due to pain, weakness, stiffness”
•  Page 12: “Reduced power grip – point weakness” (nb, I drop things)
•  Page 12: “Reduced power both arms – point weakness”
•  Page 29: “Severe functional disability seems likely with mobilising”

·         I would like to refer you to my DLA Application Form:

• Page 14: “My concentration is poor”
• Page 17: “I need a lot of encouraging and prompting to get out of bed as I am constantly exhausted.
• Page 17: “I need reminding it is time to go to bed.”
• Page 17: “Most days I don’t get up until between 11 and noon” [if I get up].
• Page 17: “I wear the same clothes for days at a time as it is too exhausting for me to dress.”
• Page 17: “I often wear my nightclothes or wear my day clothes to sleep in.”
• Page 22: “My muscles are weak, I am in constant pain”
• Page 23: “Somedays I cannot cut up food as my fingers are so weak and my wrists are painful.”
• Page 23: “I need constant reminding to eat and drink as [..] it is too much effort.”
• Page 24: “I cannot open blister packs / medicines due to pain and my fingers and wrists.” {And I cut my tongue on one yesterday).
• Page 24: “I need reminding to take my medication as I am very confused by fatigue.”
• Page 28: “I am too fatigued to cook.”
• Page 28: “My concentration is very reduced and I forget I am cooking and burn food.”
• Page 28: “ I cannot lift hot pans due to weak muscles and carpel tunnel.”

So, you use your evidence (including your application form) to bring the Decision Maker's attention to the exact pieces of information that challenge each statement that has been made about you. It is easiest for the Decision Maker to find the right information if you present it to them this way. 

It can take a long time to do this, as it means looking through you evidence over and over again to find the exact quotes required to challenge their statements, but it is worth it. The whole process of applying for benefits can be extremely stressful, but once you've got them, you can breathe easy for a while.