Hello All I have been receiving ESA for almost 12 months - due to end in January 2013…contribution based. I was placed in the Work Related Activity Group and appealed asking to be placed in the SuUpport group. I was telephoned today by Department of Work & Pensions staff to tell me they had reconsidered and I would be moved to the support group indefinitely or until my next medical which might be in 6 months time. Does this mean I should have been in the Support group from day one - therefore my benefit should have been at the Support group rate from the start of my claim? Or am I being too optimistic and does the new rate - £5.90 per week extra - only start from today? Can’t seem to find this info anywhere. I am still not diagnosed after 13 months of opthalmic and neuro appointments. Opthamologists have told me on 4 occasions that they are convinced I have MS and on one occasion gave me Methylprednisolone 500mg five a day- Neuro always disagrees and is now sending me to see another Neuro who specializes in Neuromyelitis Optica or Devic’s Disease as it is more commonly known. Not sure what this is? Anyone else on here have it or know anything about it? Don;t have appointment for a few weeks and just wondering what to expect if indeed I have Devic;s. Thank you in adance for any help anyone can possibly give. MARY
Hi Mary,
Usually the result of an appeal means that the benefit is backdated and any money owed is paid in a lump sum. Not that the extra 6 quid p/w isn’t nice but the true value of being in the support group is that contribution based payments are not subjected to the 12 months rule and you will continue to get payments even if you have a working partner or savings.
Well Done
Hello Mary
First off ask the DWP if there is any money owed, they will back date if need be. They are quite good that way…
NMO (devics) is a similar disease to MS in function but mainly attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord.
I was diagnosed with it at first but was changed to MS until Tuesday!!! when my diagnosis was again changed to NMO!!
Have a look at this website http://www.nmouk.nhs.uk/
One of the tests they do is look for aquaporin 4 antibodies in the blood, however if like me you are special LOL and they are not present the John Radcliffe Neuro Science team have come up with a new test that can say yes or no for sure.
Also you can ask to attend the John Radcliffe as they will see you (look inside the site for details)
I am being put on Azathioprine as a start, this is a drug that suppresses the immune system and will be backed up with large doses of Steroids should there be a relapse.
Now I am already registered blind, I can only see about three 4 from my condition. This is one of the main symptoms. However it is not a cert that you will have issues like I have, its just the way the dice rolled for me.
If you need anything else the website is full of info!
Strudders
Thanks to Strudders and Wendels for your replies. I actually appealed the decision to put me in the Work Related Activity Group back in May, and prior to that I claimed ESA from January 2012. I have only just yesterday been told over the phone that I have successfully had the DWP original decision to place me in the WRAG overturned so am I correct in thinking they will pay me £6 or so backdated to when I appealed or to when I passed the thirteen week assessment phase or to after the ATOS medical decision? Am a bit desperate financially and any back money would greatly help. Woman from DWP did not mention any back money and I don’t want to ring DWP again as it costs me a bomb on my landline and always takes ages.
Devics does sound a bit scary Strudders - I am very concerned about losing any more vision. How are you for other symptoms? I have trouble with walking - especially at night when I an unable to see at all in the dark. Also I have pain in my thigh, pins and needles and numbness and pain - all in right thigh, pain in my arms and shoulders but more especially in my upper arm muscles and I also have reduced sensation in my right fingertips. It is not terribly bad but I know it is there. How about Azathioprine - will that mean you could catch colds and other bugs more readily? Thanks for your reply and good luck.
MARY
Hi Mary, Pretty much the same as you other symptom wise, however I have also had to self catheterise for a year now as I can’t pass water. I also lost my sence of taste in July. That has not returned even after steriods. My pain is managed by Butrans patches and I was getting Sativex until last week. (looks like my new GP’s will not prescribe it) As for the Azathioprine, no, should not be a problem. Regular blood test’s is the key. My Step son has been on it for a couple of years for ulcerating colitis and he has been fine. Yeah it is a little scary and I have not been in the best frame of mind since Tuesday. However I had already accepted it as a DX three years ago when I was told it was that. Being given the DX again makes much more sence to me given everything thats gone on. If you are having sight issues already get them to arrange a ROVI Visit. They are great for helping out and can arrange for a number of aids to help you. They can also help you with benefit claims and bus passes etc. Also if your sight does deteriate to a point where you are registrard blind, a number of other benefits are kicked off. They will help with these as well. However I hope that is a long way off. Strudders