ESA Tribunal tomorrow

[alexq]

Hya everyone,

I've got my ESA tribunal tomorrow, for anxiety and depression. I have a supporting letter from my CPN (psychologist for those who don't know :P), and really, I couldn't hope for anything better. I have also received, only today, a letter from my GP. Now I don't trust my GP nearly as much as my CPN and I see him less often, for only 10 minutes at a time, so he is understandably less informed about my condition.

As a result the letter, whilst still good, isn't quite as supportive as the CPN's. Specifically one point; he has put at the end that we have discussed that work may be beneficial to my health. This is completely out of context - he mentioned it recently in a "if I fail my tribunal" capacity. Also, the tribunal is only allowed to consider information relevant at the time of my original medical assessment.

Seeing as how I have discussed the possibility of a couple of hours a week of voluntary (allowed) work with my Disability advisor at the job centre, I agreed that it was a goal that I would like to work towards, but that currently I feel unable - at the time of my medical assessment it was something I couldn't even begin to consider.

So I am left with a dilemma. Every part of me feels that the mention of the possibility of work will be taken out of context at the tribunal, and I would be seriously at risk of losing my ESA. I am terrified at the prospect of having to jump straight into full time work, without the possibility of easing myself in which volunteering will allow..

However my advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau has said that it is still a good letter and she thinks I should submit it anyway.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the best course of action?

Many thanks

[treborc]

Best course of action?, go in and explain as you have done on here, not a lot more you can do really, I'd not put to much empathize on working or volunteering since they might decide your actually able to do this.

But all you can really do now is go, hope you have a tribunal of decent people who understand your condition and be your self.

[alexq]

Thanks for the advice treborc. I went along this morning and found that I had the wrong date anyway, it's next month.. Oh well, I'll just try and relax until then. :S

[andypandy]

If i was you I wouldn't show them the letter from your GP, but thats my opinion for what its worth

[davewhit]

Hya everyone,

I've got my ESA tribunal tomorrow, for anxiety and depression. I have a supporting letter from my CPN (psychologist for those who don't know :P), and really, I couldn't hope for anything better. I have also received, only today, a letter from my GP. Now I don't trust my GP nearly as much as my CPN and I see him less often, for only 10 minutes at a time, so he is understandably less informed about my condition.

As a result the letter, whilst still good, isn't quite as supportive as the CPN's. Specifically one point; he has put at the end that we have discussed that work may be beneficial to my health. This is completely out of context - he mentioned it recently in a "if I fail my tribunal" capacity. Also, the tribunal is only allowed to consider information relevant at the time of my original medical assessment.

Seeing as how I have discussed the possibility of a couple of hours a week of voluntary (allowed) work with my Disability advisor at the job centre, I agreed that it was a goal that I would like to work towards, but that currently I feel unable - at the time of my medical assessment it was something I couldn't even begin to consider.

So I am left with a dilemma. Every part of me feels that the mention of the possibility of work will be taken out of context at the tribunal, and I would be seriously at risk of losing my ESA. I am terrified at the prospect of having to jump straight into full time work, without the possibility of easing myself in which volunteering will allow..

However my advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau has said that it is still a good letter and she thinks I should submit it anyway.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the best course of action?

Many thanks

CPN = community psychiatric nurse not psychologist
big differance have they told you they are a "psychologist " ?

with regards best course of action be honest explain your fears too .. tell them too much too soon do more harm than good IMO