Help for people with ME/CFS in and around Stockport

 

Help Claiming Benefits

With the introduction of the ESA (Employment & Support Allowance) in 2008 to replace Incapacity

Benefit and Income Support claims, more people with ME are now having to undergo a ‘Work Capability

Assessment’ and complete a (ESA 50) Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire.

 

As reported by Brian O’Mullane - a member of our excellent ME aware Stockport Welfare Rights Team –

an increasing number of genuinely ill people with variable illnesses like ME are being turned down at first

attempt, but then winning at appeal.

 

Whilst successive governments are trying to prevent ‘scroungers’ unfairly getting benefits it is clear that the

new system is not working properly and our national ME charities are fighting this at government level.

 

So how do you complete benefit forms to ‘win’ first time?

It is strongly recommended that you get ‘ME aware’ advice before starting to fill in the forms.

• SMEG’s Postal Library (Debbie, See Hermes contacts).

We now have copies of The ME Association’s up-to-date and very helpful Guides to filling in the ESA 50 (Employment & Support Allowance),

DLA (Disability Living Allowance), IB50 (Incapacity Benefit) form and also information on Reviews and Appeals.

 

• Benefits and Work website: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

An excellentproactive, independent charity providing benefits advice and guidance on form filing and appeals. Annual membership £18.90, but some information is free of charge.

 

• Action for ME Welfare Rights Line.

Phone Sarah Lawrence, 0845 122 8648 (Mon 1-5pm, Tues 9.30am-12.30pm & 3.30-7pm, Weds 1.30-4.30pm, Thurs 9.30am-1pm). AfME membership required £15 p.a.

 

• Draft your answers in rough; tackle in short bursts; get someone else to check before copying onto the form; also put the total time taken to complete the form at the end.

 

• Don’t just tick the boxes, do give as much detail as possible of the difficulties you experience when trying to complete various activities and the after-effects: fatigue, pain etc, which may last days.

 

• It is important to return your questionnaire on time. Do contact them in advance if through your health you are having difficulty returning the form on time.

 

• Keep a photocopy of all information you send and ideally post by Recorded Delivery.

 

• Submit supporting evidence from your GP or health professional and non-medical evidence from friends/relatives. Make sure they are fully aware of how your ME affects all aspects of daily life.

 

• The ESA50 (Limited Capability for Work Assessment) is a points-based system for assessing your ability to carry out various activities. It is a test of physical and mental, cognitive and intellectual function designed to assess your abilities as if you were in a work situation of regular 16 hour+ weeks and also having to do essential everyday tasks of washing, dressing, cooking and travelling to and from work!

 

• One of ME’s major symptoms is its variability, so it is vital to mention this in your answers. Complete forms on the basis of what you can do on a ‘bad day’ and not when you are in ‘respite’ and have more energy and cognitive function. Explain that doing a task might leave you exhausted for days and you will be unable to do essential everyday tasks.

 

• If you cannot do something repeatedly, as and when you want, without severe discomfort, pain or fatigue then you should say that you are unable to do it.