SUGGESTION

All members who are receiving IB or ESA on mental healht grounds or hope to qaulify on that basis need to be aware of the things that could disqaulify you, please look in the 'members news' and it is clear that even being able to use a PC or drive, or even lesser demanding tasks might be enough to put you onto the dole. But there is no point in whinging, I have suggestions

1. Every task might be limited by the condition. So for example, if mosrt of the time the PC cannot be used, or the per4son rarely can go out and drive, or not very far, or only with company etc, these things can be emphasised, in writing, before the medical, and then a tribunal would be able to reflect on this.

2. It can be also made clear that those under detention in hospital unde the mental health act, are considered so ill they must be kept in hospital, ahnd yet their activities there, which can include usinga PC, a telephone, watching programmers, or engaging in various recreational activities, do not meamn they are well enough for employment'

This point can be made also, if a person had to appeal.

However, ATOS are now on the ball with all mechanisms to twist the facts , and clearly ability to drive, use a PC etc is quite common, and has morte to do with skill and cognitive function, than mental and emotional well being, or social ability

My advice is to get your actual difficuolties in writing in the ESA form (or extra pages as a letter) and anticipate the inferences they may draw from certain activities, and explain those carefully, otherwise its a likely thing that you mighht wait many months before the chance to do so at appeal

Thank you XFACTOR, for you thoughts and time. cmarie