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 excellent proactive, 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.   USEFUL CONTACTS Welfare Rights Teams or Citizens Advice Bureaus can provide comprehensive advice on all your benefit entitlements. Some provide help filling in forms/attending appeal tribunal. (Do ask if they have ME experience!) WELFARE RIGHTS Welfare Rights - Stockport Benefits Advice Line: 0161 474 3091 (9am-1pm, Mon-Fri) to talk to Welfare Rights Officers. For Appeals: 0161 474 3093 Home Visits: 0161 218 1300 Welfare Rights - High Peak Benefits advice Line: 0845 120 2985 Welfare Rights - Manchester Helpline: 0161 234 5678 (9am-4pm, Mon-Fri) Some advisers based in GP surgeries, who should be ME aware. Note; home visits are very rare. Welfare Rights - Oldham Contact Citizens Advice Bureau: 0161 620 9317 (Welfare Rights closed down). Advice and help filling in forms and appeals. Home visits – Links Adult Support Team: 0161 770 1515. Help filling in forms and advice. Welfare Rights - Tameside Helpline: 0800 074 9985 (9.30-12.30pm, Mon, Weds, Thurs) Two Officers can help filling in DLA forms and support appeals (but no support available for filling in ESA, ICB forms) Welfare Rights – Trafford Benefits Advice Line: 0161 912 2735 (9.30-12.30pm, Mon-Thurs) Advice on claiming benefits and support for appeals. CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU ( C.A.B.) Stockport 0844 826 9800 (2-7pm, Mon-Thurs & 2-4pm Fri) www.stockportcab.org.uk High Peak 01298 214 550 Macclesfield 01625 426 303 Manchester 0845 122 1112 www.manchestercab.org Oldham 0844 847 2638 http://oldhamcab.co.uk Tameside 0161 330 2156 / 331 2949 Trafford 0844 499 4103 (10am-4pm, Mon-Fri) DISABILITY STOCKPORT 0161 480 7248 (9.30am-4pm, Mon-Fri) www.disabilitystockport.org.uk Information, advice, benefits form filling and support for people with physical and sensory disability. BENEFITS ENQUIRY LINE (Department for Work and Pensions) 0800 882 200 (8.30am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) 0800 441 144 Advice on completing forms. They may not be ME aware! DIAL (DISABILITY INFORMATION AND ADVICE LINE) Call 01302 310 123 for details of your nearest branch. THE LAW CENTRE FEDERATION 0161 236 5333 DISABILITY LAW SERVICE 0207 791 9800 Please contact SMEG’s Information Line 0845 519 4116, if you find any other useful phone numbers.