Help with incapacity Benefit, and moving on to ESA

[davewhit]

If only taking 16 tablets a day did count - I take much more than that and am only 39 years old and Zopiclone is 1 of them

16 tablets pah !]

[Stepheninleeds]

Seems like they have the mental problems then (Are stupid), as people with mental health problems (Are not stupid) can at least answer questions, whereas ATOS cannot understand the form!

[Littlelucy]

I have not touched a pill in 20 years. I hate them and wouldnt take them if my life depended on it.
reading side effects is scarey and I dont want the side effects.
I suppose this counts against me, that I wont touch medications despite having been offered them.
I disagree on both ethical and health grounds, but like I said, they will probably think that because I dont take meds I am healthy, but the fact is, I cant take them if my life depended on it, because of my fear of sickness/allergy/poisoning

[Jaytee]

When I first got DLA I wasn't on any tablets and had a successful application.

[Stepheninleeds]

Yes, you do not need to be on any medication. Someone who is blind would not be on drugs for that. Assumptions are made by people.

[JanetB]

Hi Linnig
I've just gone through the process of being transferred from Income Support to ESA and I went straight into the Support Group. So despite what you may have read on here and there is a lot of negative postings made me feel quite depressed when I read some and I don't suffer from depression. I know it's a very worrying time my best advice to you is to get prepared as much as you can before you get the phone call and your ESA50 I would suggest you join Benefits& Work they have really useful guides that you can download they go through every question even specifically mental health they give suggestions on the best way to answer the questions. Start gathering any eveidence you can to support your illnesses/disabillities now. There is a lot to do if you want to fill in a succesful application so start preparing now then maybe you won't be feeling quite so stressed you'll be doing something positive to help yourself. I've been on benefits since 2005 so I got used to providing evidence when they changed the DLA form a couple of years ago . I can understand a lot of people getting upset because they have never had to justify themselves before well I for one feel justified I've done everything thats been asked of me and I got a nice surprice too I knew they said we would'nt lose any money I actually got a slight increase. If it helps weed out the fakers so those that need the help get more money then so be it. Yes it not nice but a lot of things are not nice in this country at the moment. Try not to think too far ahead Nigel just try to take each stage as it comes Nigel you need to focus on one thing at a time but I can't reiterate enough preparation beforehand is key if you need more advice just ask.