living in France and claiming IB

I have been claiming IB for 10 years, I now live in France and have been for the last 6 years. Before I moved abroad I had to have 2 medicals undertaken by consultants working for the DWP, on both occassions I was deemed unfit for work. Since living in France I have seen my doctor regularly (every 3 months) for check ups,and drug reviews. I've had regular full body x-rays every 2 years, to see if my condition has worsened (it has)I have been regularly contacted by the DWP and filled out the work assessment form on 3 occasions, I have sent these back with a covering letter from my French doctor with the written report which I have been given each time with my x-rays outlining the problems with my spine, hip and pelvis. When i was last reviewed by the dwp, they said that my case would not be reviewed again until May 2010, I still haven't heard anything. Does anyone know how people in my situation (physical impairment), and living abroad, are going to be treated under this new regime?? I feel so sorry for every one out there in the UK and abroad who don't know what is going to happen to their benefits, most people like me have proberly worked all their lives and paid into the system, and should be able to get help when needed, and are sick or disabled due to no fault of their own.......

Hi minky1,

I don't think living in France will make any difference to how your claim will be assessed in the future. At some point you will be sent an ESA50 and be assessed for ESA. If necessary a French doctor will be asked to provide medical evidence for the DWP before a decision is made.

Good luck,

Steve

Do you think that when ESA(c) is only able to be claimed for 1 year and then it is migrated to ESA(IB) that all claimants abroad will lose? I have investigated the Spanish/Portugal system and unless you have paid directly into their systems for a minimum of 5 years you cannot claim their "invalidity benefit". Surely this will leave the UK failing their sick abroad and leaving them without monies unless there is a migration back to the UK of those who are not of pension age. Would you say that this will again arrive back at the European Court for failing the sick and disabled?

Thank you.

I think this is a really intresting thread, I love the idea of moving to france, it was only recentley that i learnt that you can move to a EU country and still get your IB and Care part of DLA, did the DWP make you jump through loads of hoops to keep it when you moved.

Yes it is early to say, but certainly if you feel you have issues with this prospect then consider to protest. Write to the MP or a newspaper, or a disability charity.

You mentioned having worked so long and paying into the system. Even more of a reason to defend the welfare protection for you and your fellow Brits