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yewotc5 · 09-01-2015, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherlock holmes

I am claiming ESA, I went onto it after claiming JSA and not doing well with looking for work due to my bipolar. I am in the support group which means I am not required to look for work at all, the other group is the work related activity group (wrag) where you are expected to look for work like if you were on JSA, only you get a lot more help.

When you claim ESA you'll be put on the assessment rate where you send your medical certificates in until you have a medical assessment by someone who decides which group you get put into.

I understand how distressing it is applying for benefits, I recently had to update my DLA application and it made me feel suicidal.

If your GP has given you 2 months worth of antidepressants then I don't see why he'd refuse to write a sick note. Plus if you tell him you are applying for ESA then he will know that you will need a sick note for that.

It might be worth contacting your local citizen's advice bureau who can help with applying for benefits.

Please don't cancel your appointment- see what he says.

Thank you for your reply :) Actually counted my anti depressants, and supply takes me right up to 23rd Feb. Doctor has actually now added them so I can order on repeat prescription

Anyway, you're right, it is very scary applying for benefits. You said about there being a work related activity group on ESA, wouldn't mind that as I do want to get back in to work eventually, just hard at the moment. But you can also get rejected for that group too can't you and have to then apply for normal JSA or Universal Credit instead

The medical part scares me to death, seen stories on the internet and I'm not great at explaining in person how I feel due to my extremely low confidence, think its actually social anxiety but never followed that up really

Anyway, I have a holiday coming up at the end of May, so even if I can claim ESA until then and then have to go on Universal Credit afterwards, it will give me a few momths to get a bit better than I am at the moment. Been looking for work ever since I was told I had depression a year ago and its not a great combination. I think all the rejections have actually added to it. Then I've been that low, I turned to gambling to give me a hugh, but just got me in debt problems. That has made me further depressed. Too embarassed to even tell my doctor about that as I feel ashamed, plus couldn't handle GA sessions as too embarassed to speak about it to a stranger :(

What is the actual medical assessment like ? How much chance is there of passing it with what I have described ?

Also, heard at the moment assessments are quite a while anyway as huge backlog ?

Thank you for any help :)

09-01-2015, 11:00 PM	#3
yewotc5 Join Date: Jan 2015	Quote: Originally Posted by sherlock holmes I am claiming ESA, I went onto it after claiming JSA and not doing well with looking for work due to my bipolar. I am in the support group which means I am not required to look for work at all, the other group is the work related activity group (wrag) where you are expected to look for work like if you were on JSA, only you get a lot more help. When you claim ESA you'll be put on the assessment rate where you send your medical certificates in until you have a medical assessment by someone who decides which group you get put into. I understand how distressing it is applying for benefits, I recently had to update my DLA application and it made me feel suicidal. If your GP has given you 2 months worth of antidepressants then I don't see why he'd refuse to write a sick note. Plus if you tell him you are applying for ESA then he will know that you will need a sick note for that. It might be worth contacting your local citizen's advice bureau who can help with applying for benefits. Please don't cancel your appointment- see what he says. Thank you for your reply :) Actually counted my anti depressants, and supply takes me right up to 23rd Feb. Doctor has actually now added them so I can order on repeat prescription Anyway, you're right, it is very scary applying for benefits. You said about there being a work related activity group on ESA, wouldn't mind that as I do want to get back in to work eventually, just hard at the moment. But you can also get rejected for that group too can't you and have to then apply for normal JSA or Universal Credit instead The medical part scares me to death, seen stories on the internet and I'm not great at explaining in person how I feel due to my extremely low confidence, think its actually social anxiety but never followed that up really Anyway, I have a holiday coming up at the end of May, so even if I can claim ESA until then and then have to go on Universal Credit afterwards, it will give me a few momths to get a bit better than I am at the moment. Been looking for work ever since I was told I had depression a year ago and its not a great combination. I think all the rejections have actually added to it. Then I've been that low, I turned to gambling to give me a hugh, but just got me in debt problems. That has made me further depressed. Too embarassed to even tell my doctor about that as I feel ashamed, plus couldn't handle GA sessions as too embarassed to speak about it to a stranger :( What is the actual medical assessment like ? How much chance is there of passing it with what I have described ? Also, heard at the moment assessments are quite a while anyway as huge backlog ? Thank you for any help :)
yewotc5 Join Date: Jan 2015