Hi I have received a form that I have to complete by the end of next week. I’m currently off work, have had WLE, Chemo & radio (finished Oct 2010.
I have just found out I am BRCA1 and am having ovaries removed end of march, then mastectomy around June.
I’m devastated, mainly because my family wasn’t finished. I’ve got through everything ok, and its all just getting on top of me, my doc says I’m depressed and has prescrbed me some tablets.
Anyway… what do I do about this form, am I not entitled to anything? as its asking can I walk, stand, wash myself etc etc which I can do!
I’m not myself at all, and totally not ready to go back to work with so much going on.
I hope this post makes sense xxx
Sorry you are so down. I honestly don’t know about this myself, but at the last meet Marli was talking about it and seemed to know a lot. You could try pm ing her or if you have her number you could ring her. Hope you get some help on here too. Has sent you a message on fb. Debx
I’m not an expert and I’m a couple of weeks behind you as I am still claiming SSP so don’t take my word on it. However, if I’ve got it right, there are two levels of ESA and this form, together with a work based interview will determine which group you go into. They may assess you as having some capacity for work which means you will still be entitled to ESA but at a lower rate and you will have to attend sessions with a jobcentre advisor designed to get you back to work. It’s really important that you get help with filling out the forms because your answers will determine which group you get put in. Again, I’m not certain, but I think if you were getting SSP, you are automatically entitled to ESA. There’s more information on the direct gov web site:
I understand that Macmillam are good at helping with benefits forms.
I’m not in your position yet as I am still getting half pay (with SSP included). But I did do abit of research a month or so ago. My SSP will run out end of Feb and I will have to start claiming ESA. I am soon to have a MX + reconstruction I will be off until at least end April.
I think that you can get up to 3 months just from a sick note and when that has nearly run out (is that where you are now?) you get the lovely form which asks you things like whether or not you can sit in an upright chair. When you fill it out make sure you think of your worst day and if doing something makes you feel exhausted, in pain or ill, then you can’t do it. You may also get a medical.
As crawfo64 says, you will be put in either the “supported category” - in which case you don’t havre to do anything for the money. Or you will be put in the “work related activity” - and have to do something - not sure what, probably things like attending sessions on how to look for jobs and cv writing.
When they see that you are to have other operations soon they should hopefully still give it to you.
Make sure you get help filling in the form. Also look for other posts in this forum as I have seen several messages which could provide useful information.
If they stop your ESA or put you in the wrong category, then you can appeal - make sure you do.
Good luck.
emma i filled the form in and said i could do all of the things they asked like walking washing dressing etc but in the part where it asks if you are having/had any special treatment i put in about chemo surgery and rads and said my gp said i was unable to work due to immuno-suppressed and risk of infections and i got put into support group and didnt have to atend a medical and got £65 per week for first 12 weeks then £95 thereafter. hope this helps x Julie
I’m also struggling, even with the initial form - the one I’ve got doesn’t even ask what I’m capable of doing. I got the feeling that the people at the jobcentre were just glad to get me off their books so ended the JSA when I said I was having surgery, but now they want me to send in my birth certificate and ask all sorts of questions I have NO IDEA what they’re on about. I’m not a stupid person but honestly! And I hate filling in forms!