Hi everyone,
im trying to get my esa form completed but find the questions just ridicilous. One of them ask can you pres a button or turn the pages of a book or pick up a coin, the trouble is some days i couldn't even pick up a feather but other days i could, so what's the answer. If i tick the box that says 'varies' would this mean i am fit for work even though most days i am having to lay down in my bed due to pain in spine and various joints! Then the walking question, again some days i can walk but other days i can't even make one step or weight bare at all! What a stress, i'm tired and fed up!
XXX.

Hi Emily I know just how you feel I sent my form off six weeks ago but have not heard anything except request for pensions info
I agree the questions are ridiculous and filling in the form is exhausting and only truly appreciated when you have it in front of you
listen to Rich he really does give sensible advice
I got letter of support from GP also sent in some evidence from medical records but this did cost me fifty quid and evidence gleaned was minimal
in future i will ask for copy of any letters sent from hospital to gp this will cut down cost and i think keep things current hopefully
as regards stupid question re manual dexterity(using your hands)
it helped me to close my eyes and(go through a day)
for example i am usually very stiff in the mornin so could not do any of activities specified
then i would go through other activites in my head in order to fully explain how i am affected
it is important to say if you can do the activity but could not repeat it
Best of luck my luv its bad enough being affected by this rotten disease without having to explain its flitting affects i know it is exhausting and that if you are like me it has affected your waking and sleeping hours
dont let the bu***ers grind you down let me know how you get on and i will let you know any news luv glenx

Hi Guys, don't know if you know me or not, been a member for years but haven't been able to get on forum since the new system went in, any way I will have to go thru this claiming thing as my husband has been made redundant and it seems that its best for me to claim rather than him, so got all this claiming to do, and it annoys the life out of me that any savings and pensions come into it, as Des private pension is due out in November or we have to pay £157 a month, hoping it has a waiver clause in it. Dawn

emily i just want to say i have finally got my return on esa and i am now in the support group not the work related so hang in there,i have waited 9 weeks for this and was worried about another interview which i hated so much, good luck with it,dorothy.

dawn,rich is right get the advice and calculation done,my late husband was always self employed and it was a nightmare when we came to claim,he took ill and had to stop work,C.A.B were just the best help we got,easy steps to follow etc and no funny looks at the time ticking, really good people ,good luck