hi guys.just got a form from my boss to say that my ssp is ending in 3 weeks as that will be 28 weeks since i went off sick. does’nt say what happens next though.do i have to go and claim from the dole office?.am i still officially employed?. any advice would be welcome thanks. spudz
a real ms’er wrote:
When SSP finishes you have to apply for ESA… It can be a nightmare… I was fortunate… got placed in the support group… without having a medical… My advice… refuse to attend any centres they wish to see you… Get your doc to write a letter… Good luck with the ESA application… Join Benefits and Work website… Costs about 20 pound… Invaluable advice from solicitors and the like… My belief is if you are genuine… ie you actually have MS… you will get placed in the support group… All the best…
I’ve been down this route too, SSP ends, SSP1 submitted to DWP and then ESA application and it certainly isn’t that straightforward …“ie you actually have MS… you will get placed in the support group” Sorry but that just doesn’t happen to the majority of MSers and most seem to be shoved into the WRAG category and have to go through the stressful appeal process. I was placed in the Work Related Activity Group over a year ago and was too worn out by it all to appeal but have recently been sent and completed another ESA50 and am waiting to hear what they decide about me next. I agree though that the Benefits and Work site is invaluable and I wish I had known about it the first time round. Good luck spudz with your own ESA journey. xx
a real ms’er wrote:
When SSP finishes you have to apply for ESA… It can be a nightmare… I was fortunate… got placed in the support group… without having a medical… My advice… refuse to attend any centres they wish to see you… Get your doc to write a letter… Good luck with the ESA application… Join Benefits and Work website… Costs about 20 pound… Invaluable advice from solicitors and the like… My belief is if you are genuine… ie you actually have MS… you will get placed in the support group… All the best…
I’ve been down this route too, SSP ends, SSP1 submitted to DWP and then ESA application and it certainly isn’t that straightforward …“ie you actually have MS… you will get placed in the support group” Sorry but that just doesn’t happen to the majority of MSers and most seem to be shoved into the WRAG category and have to go through the stressful appeal process. I was placed in the Work Related Activity Group over a year ago and was too worn out by it all to appeal but have recently been sent and completed another ESA50 and am waiting to hear what they decide about me next. I agree though that the Benefits and Work site is invaluable and I wish I had known about it the first time round. Good luck spudz with your own ESA journey. xx
Keep a photocopy of any forms you send to the DWP. Send all forms to them by recorded delivery. Give them as much detail as possible about how your MS affects you on a daily basis and how this has impacted on your ability to work. V
Just a little tip, if your hands and fingers get stiff and painful when having to write loads the ESA50 can be downloaded here http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@money/documents/digitalasset/dg_195544.pdf This is brilliant because you can fill it in bit by bit, save it when you get tired and then go back to it to make changes as necessary, and then print it off when you are satisfied all the info is correct to send it to the DWP. I completed mine this way over a couple of weeks and the bonus was it was legible! 