ESA help please

[sjc99]

I have been trying to help my sister and her husband who both have learning disabilities and cerebral palsy.

After a recent health assessment, my sister has been put in the WRAG group. I have asked for a mandatory reconsideration, but I am very worried that this will not be successful.

My sister cannot read and is not numerate. She cannot cook for herself and has been in financial difficulties because she cannot manage her money. I now have power of attorney and deal with all of her financial matters.

I am struggling to understand why she has not been put in the support group.

Any advice would be very welcome.
Many thanks
SJC

[frances_is_a_sibling]

Hi @sjc99

Thanks for sharing this. I’m struggling to see why your sister has not been put in the support group too. Were you given any written explanation or evidence to support this decision?

It sounds like you have done the right thing by asking for the mandatory reconsideration. I can understand how worried you are that this won’t be successful. I’ve just had a look at Citizens Advice - if the reconsideration is unsuccessful it can be taken to a tribunal:

Challenging an ESA decision

I know that this doesn’t help with the worry in the meantime. It’s hard waiting for these results and decisions to come through - and we shouldn’t have to be ‘fighting’ for things all the time. It can be really stressful on you as a sibling too. Hope you are doing OK.

Best wishes,
Frances

[sjc99]

Many thanks Frances. My sister and I have been to her GP and asked for a letter describing my sister’s intellectual and physical disabilities. I hope the letter will also describe some of the stress and anxiety caused by repeated health assessments. As there was some delay in getting the appointment, and it will be a few days before the letter is available for collection, I am concerned that the decision regarding the mandatory reconsideration may be taken before we have this evidence. However, I have written to DWP asking them to give us sufficient time to gather some evidence. We shall see. If this approach is not successful, we will pursue an appeal. My concern with such an appeal is the additional stress it will cause my sister but we will be left with no choice. Thank you for sending the link, and for your support.

best wishes
serena

[frances_is_a_sibling]

@sjc99

Hi Serena,

That sounds like a really positive and proactive step - I’m not sure what more you can do than that. I hope that the appointment and letter come through quickly for you as I know you’re under time constraints. It’s a really stressful situation for both yourself and your sister - do you have emotional support around you? Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

Best wishes,
Frances

[sjc99]

Dear Frances

I want to share my good news. The request for a mandatory reconsideration was successful. My sister has been placed in the Support Group. Only for 1 year, so we will have to face another assessment next February, but it is a huge relief. Thank you for your support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight a King’s Fund webinar on supporting people with learning disabilities to live in their own home. I have just registered and it may be of interest to some people on FamilyHub.

Caring for people with learning disabilities

With best wishes
serena

[frances_is_a_sibling]

@sjc99 Serena, thank you so much for getting in touch to share this. I’m really pleased to hear that the mandatory reconsideration was successful. I hope that others reading this will see your success and consider challenging decisions too. Thanks for the link to the kingsfund webinar, that looks really helpful - I’ll have a look. Take care and keep in touch. Best wishes, Frances

[sianwhite]

That’s great news, Serena! Must be such a relief

[sjc99]

Thanks for all of your help. The FamilyHub is a wonderful way to share our stories and all the support is very much appreciated.
serena