Anyone with MS had to fill out the WCA forms?

Welfare Rights Officer, or Adviser (WRA).

The Citizens Advice Bureau are often used for benefit claims but there are many other local offices that help.

Thanks

Hi.

I have MS and have completed several ESA50 forms now. It sounds like my symptoms are similar to yours and writing the forms take a while to recover if i try to do it in one hit.

Instead, I write the descriptors out on a computer under each specific heading (the first time I did this it took a long time, but afterwards its a little easier as I then spend time adding details in as I think of them). Just cut/paste and add bits in to revamp it slightly.

I always make sure I save and print it out when I'm done (for future reference). It normally takes a month to complete as I have to do it in bite-size pieces to avoid the unpleasant symptoms of fatigue and balance/dizziness through all the effort of completing the blimin' thing! and I make reference to this in my form.

I've just discovered you can type it online which would save me a lot of work, both saving pen-pushing, as well as eye-scanning which apart from being hard to concentrate with, always makes me more dizzy (another reason I am unfit for work)!

I have started answering in a more detached way, not sure if that will help me or not, but I explain why the symptom prevents me from working. I try not to make it just applicable to daily activities but also how I could not perform a job with each problem.

I had to go to appeal in January this year, for the support group because trying to work even just for a few hours, made my condition much worse. I won the appeal and within a week was sent a new ESA50, followed by a new medical less than 3 months later placing me back in the work related activity group! When I phoned to question it I was told it had been a mistake and they weren't legally allowed to reassess me so soon.

The decision makers seem to lack common sense so prepare for an uncomfortable ride, but don't give up. I know a diagnosis of MS is enough of a knock without this extra stress and it took me a while to get over the fact you have to fight for something like this, but now I've got used to that expectation.

As with the many other things in life that seem so wrong, it's a case of trying to rise above it and finding ways to de-stress effectively!I am not sure if that answers your question, but I wish you the best of luck.