No ESA support for dyspraxia?

[magpie84]

After being advised by the jobcentre that the ESA might be the best benefit for me to go on- I was then later told I probably would not get it and when making the claim (have yet to hear back) was told the condition dyspraxia and (i also have hypermobility) were not on "the list". It seems to me a tickbox is not really relevant. You cannot pigeon hole people and I feel that I am going to have to go back to my doctors, as mental health and certain disabilities or difficulties are favoured. So because I am not on their little list, that determines my difficulties invalid to qualify for ESA? i am just wondering about others experiences, surely the ESA criteria will be the same across the country. Is anyone in receipt of this benefit, purely for a diagnosis of dyspraxia? Neither my diagnosis of hypermobility or dysparaxia, that I have to deal with together, seems to allow me access to the support I need whether financially or in services that will help me back into the right kind of work for me.

[Tom fod]

Hi and welcome

I do agree It's wrong and while it should not be this way you may need focus any claim based on other coexisting conditions and how they affect your ability to find/carry out a job role. The first response to any claim/claim enquiry will pretty much always be no so you it may be worth persisting. I believe it's the case that many claims refused initially are later granted on appeal.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benef ... allowance/ is one example. There are other organisations who may be able to support/assist you with making a claim. Your GP practice may be able to advise you/point you in the direction of people who can help.

Does anyone have any further advice?

Whilst the criteria should be the same nationally there will be other variables such as the teams responsible for administering/handling claims in your area.

[DanTheOutlaw]

I was claiming ESA for my dyspraxia, I then had an assessment in which I was deemed fit for work and they stopped it so I sent them a mandatory reconsideration which was also turned down. I'm now in the middle of a dispute as a last attempt to get my ESA benefits as I'm relying on others at the moment.

The issue with me according to them is the fact that I can drive a manual car and go shopping by myself but I know of other people who are successfully claiming because of their dyspraxia however usually after being turned down beforehand.

[magpie84]

Thanks for the responses...i have been granted ESA..well for now at least , but I believe i will have to continue claiming on grounds of my anxiety and depression- which were caused more by the stress created from my difficulties and worry over employees and people who did not understand me because of it.so I guess they will award on the symptom, but bypass the real problem...irony is it was attitudes like theirs that caused the depression. i could get myself bogged down again with it Iknow. Dan- i hope you get your claim sorted because you are right , jusrt because you can do one thing doesn't mean life is easy. The whole point of dyspraxia is that affects people differently. Maybe try and print off some stuff highlighting these points and show it to them? may not take notice, but worth a try. Even tell them you know others in receipt of it who can also do the things you can. I cannot drive, i took lessons and found it incredibly difficult and if i did drive i defintely would need an automatic..but , i can do plenty things others with dyspraxia can't am sure. It is not fair for them to tar everyone with the same brush and they wouldn't do that with thinks like illness, so why do it with disabilities or conditions they prob know little about..you can't tell someone how they suffer and to what extent. It is dyspraxia awareness week andif you google natalie williams blogspot on dyspraxia or go to the dyspraxia uk site there somestuff on there you may find useful to show to people..just to illustrate the shear extent of difficulties..even highlight the ones that apply to you. Maybe get a friend to help you or discuss it with, even go with you or see citizens advice? I wish you all the best of luck.