THE FULL FACTS

Hi, and thank-you in advance for any help you may offer.

I suffer from a illness called Polycystic Kidney Disease. I have read Miss Be E Fits guide to filling out the ESA form, and it's states that if i have a "life threatening uncontrollable illness" i should be placed in the support group.

My question is this; PKD is a life threatening illness, so will this rule apply to me?

For more info on PKD, click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_kidney_disease

Thanks again,

Mark

Hi Mark and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear that your have PKD.

If you use the top link in my signature below, that gives you the Support Group descriptors that you have to meet.

I must stress though, that ATOS and the DWP will not take your word for anything you put in your ESA50. You MUST back it up with supporting evidence from your GP and any other person included in your health care. Only send copies, you keep the originals, and write your NI number and name on each sheet. Send it by Recorded signed for or Special Delivery, so that you can prove it was received.

Please don't hesitate to ask any more questions, but you might find answers using our Search function first.

_________________
Tendo,
Admin
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Useful Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) To Challenge a DWP Decision - Download PDF
• ESA50 (03/11) Claim Form and Guide - Download PDF
• ESA113 (03/11) DWP Form to Dr to Complete for ESA - Download PDF

Useful Information:

• ABC's to the Claim Form and Medical Guide - (Download PDF)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy Support List
• Support Group Descriptors
• Mylegal Guide to ESA50 Questionnaire
• Turn2us - Access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact Your Local MP
• WCA handbook pdf

http://www.EndoSistersUK.thefullfacts.com

Thanks for the welcome Tendo, and thanks for the response. I'll be sure to provide backup documentation from my GP and Urologist. :)

Mark, and remember, we all know what you're going through with this process, so you're not alone.

_________________
Tendo,
Admin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Useful Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) To Challenge a DWP Decision - Download PDF
• ESA50 (03/11) Claim Form and Guide - Download PDF
• ESA113 (03/11) DWP Form to Dr to Complete for ESA - Download PDF

Useful Information:

• ABC's to the Claim Form and Medical Guide - (Download PDF)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy Support List
• Support Group Descriptors
• Mylegal Guide to ESA50 Questionnaire
• Turn2us - Access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact Your Local MP
• WCA handbook pdf

http://www.EndoSistersUK.thefullfacts.com

After a week since my medical, i received a phone call from the DWP as a courtesy to inform me of my decision for ESA. It appears that i have been placed in the Support Group indefinitely.

For all those who are looking into claiming ESA and really do need too, then i strongly suggest you follow the ABC Guide on these forums. It was a massive help, and certainly highlighted what i should concentrate on in terms of my medical evidence.

As a side note, i also strongly suggest that you take the labels off your medication and stick them to a peice of paper as further evidence of your conditions / disabilities. This way, the DM has clear evidence of your medications relating to you.

Thanks again to all those who have spared the time to talk to me, and a big thanks to Miss Ben E Fit for a useful and insightful guide.

Hi Tooper1975,

Thanks for updating your thread with the decision and the praise about the site and your helpful tips.
I always attach a copy of the repeat prescription request.

I will update the thread title to reflect your news.

_________________
Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) - Download pdf
• ESA50 2013 NEW - Download pdf
• ESA113 (03/11) - Download pdf (DWP Form sent to Dr to complete for ESA)

Information:

• Claim Form and medical guide - (Download pdf)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy support list
• Support Group Criteria
• ilegal guide to ESA50 questionnaire
• Turn2us - access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact your local MP
• WCA handbook pdf Revised 2013
• ATOS official complaints procedure pdf

Keep calm and carry on.

Well done on your claim. Excellent news.

Could I ask if it was just down to your PKD? Was it awarded because it is a life threatening disease?

Sorry to ask, but I also have PKD, polycystic liver, and severe Crohn's disease and I'm in the process of filling in the ESA50 form right now.

Thanks.

As i understand it, yes, it's because i have (as do you) a disease that's life threatening and has no therapeutic treatment. I also have Heart Disease and Unstable Angina which i'm sure went in my favour (if you can call it that, if i could free of these illness and be back at work i would be a very happy bunny) so maybe i found entry into the Support Group based on all of those conditions.
As far as the Crohn's Disease is concerned, i couldn't advise you further i'm afraid.

The best thing to do is fill in the form with the help of Miss Ben E Fit's guide as best as possible. Make sure you photocopy everything, and attach supporting paperwork to the form. As far as my understanding goes you'll be eligible for ESA WRAG at a minimum. Please keep me informed of your journey, as this could help other PKD sufferers along the line also!

Cheers, and good luck.

Hi
So pleased you got what you needed and with not to much hassle !!! I am still awaiting my medical assessment outcome now been 2 weeks today so early days and no news is good news in my book. Real pleased for you

jlt, thanks for that. I had my decision within a week believe it or not, so maybe you'll be lucky and get a favourable response sooner rather than later. Keep your chin up, and good luck. ;)

It is now 5 weeks and still not heard a word from ATOS medical assessment

From what I've been reading 5 weeks ain't that long. I hope you hear something soon (hope its good news) just for piece of mind.

I've just sent my ESA50 form back with as much info as I could get within 4 weeks including a good letter(s) from my GP, Consultants and MIND. I've just checked the postal tracking and they've signed for it today. So now I'm in the same boat. I'm just going to try and forget about it and put it to the back of my mind which ain't easy.

Still the relief of completing and sending the form is something.

I heard back within a couple of weeks for my ATOS medical assessment appointment after sending ESA50 form off, its this result I am nervously waiitng for .. not healthy being on ESA

Got my reply from ATOS .. been put in WRAg this should be fun, as I am unable to travel on public transport or go anywhere without hubby or dear friend, apparently you have to attend interviews and courses ... oh dear, I am laughing because they wanted to label me .. severe neurosis .. but I am just me, have always been like this and no nothing else, so their problem not mine