Work related or Support group for Severe M.E.?

Pages 21 - 28 of our guide to ESA explain who is eligible for the support group. Unfortunately, the rules are too long to list here.

Dave wrote:

Callisto wrote:

Hi Dave
I have spoken to my MP and asked that he write to Chris Grayling to suggest that severe unrelenting ME patients be placed within the Support Group. Obviously as Julie said, without a clearcut pathology it is a very difficult area. Not fair, but sadly true.
As soon as my MP writes with the reply i will post it on here if thats any good?
Best wishes
Callisto

I think you have me mixed up with original poster

Sorry Dave, i meant Julie...its amazing what my cocktail of painkillers do!
Ranald, you are right about the umbrella policy and i fully expect it to be sneered at. However it does not stop one asking as all to often ME is "misdiagnosed". I think it depends on the individual and what they can or cannot do in relation to daily living. This is an emotive subject as people start assuming that one thinks an illness has precedence over another, certainly not. Clearly we have people with terminal illnesses that have been placed in the wrong group, by my concern as far as Julies question was soleley in relation to the illness that both she and i suffer from. And as i try to educate as well as i can and indeed to enhance a greater understanding of what has after all completely obliterated my life you must forgive me for dealing with just ME on this occasion.
Best Regards
Callisto

Callisto wrote:

Dave wrote:

Callisto wrote:

Hi Dave
I have spoken to my MP and asked that he write to Chris Grayling to suggest that severe unrelenting ME patients be placed within the Support Group. Obviously as Julie said, without a clearcut pathology it is a very difficult area. Not fair, but sadly true.
As soon as my MP writes with the reply i will post it on here if thats any good?
Best wishes
Callisto

I think you have me mixed up with original poster

Sorry Dave, i meant Julie...its amazing what my cocktail of painkillers do!
Ranald, you are right about the umbrella policy and i fully expect it to be sneered at. However it does not stop one asking as all to often ME is "misdiagnosed". I think it depends on the individual and what they can or cannot do in relation to daily living. This is an emotive subject as people start assuming that one thinks an illness has precedence over another, certainly not. Clearly we have people with terminal illnesses that have been placed in the wrong group, by my concern as far as Julies question was soleley in relation to the illness that both she and i suffer from. And as i try to educate as well as i can and indeed to enhance a greater understanding of what has after all completely obliterated my life you must forgive me for dealing with just ME on this occasion.
Best Regards
Callisto

no problem

I too have severe ME and was put into the WRAG in April based on the "nurse" who carried out my medical saying I would be fit for work within 6 months.
Here we are 6 months later and I have deteriorated even more.
I got my new ESA50 form through at the weekend which I will be filling in with the members guide from here.
If I get put in to the WRAG again I fully intend appealing to go into the Support group.

Since April I've only managed to get to 3 WFI's because I've been too ill to get there.
Luckily I have a very understanding chap that carries out my WFI's and he completely understands there is no chance of me working so we just 'go through the formalities' to keep the DWP happy.

ME/CFS is such a difficult illness to claim for. All the reasons on my medical were based on 'Was unable to do XXX, however, this was not consistent with the history, examination and medical knowledge of the condition'. There is little medical knowledge and people that DO know about it know that EVERY sufferer is different, it's impossible to generalise into a 'normally they can or can't scenario'

With regards to the support group, this is what my paperwork says:

The clients Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is severe. This is supported by the fact they have seen a specialist for this problem.
Although the typical day history and observed behaviour indicates significant level of disability, this is inconsistent with the level of specialist input, examination findings and medication.
Therefore the client does not meets[sic] support group criteria.

I really wish you the best of luck. I know very little about the legal ins and outs, my first tribunal (for DLA) is tomorrow. But I really hope you can move forward from this and be given what is deserved.

Best of luck with tomorrow!

Best wishes,
Rachel

many thanks for your perceptive feedback.