ESA benefits. What happens from here?

[emma_llew]

I'm 20 and am currently on ESA for severe depression and social phobia, verging on Agoraphobia. My situation is that I pretty much never leave the house and everything I face in life is an impossibility.
There are a few things I need to know about the benefits I'm receiving, so hopefully there's someone on here who knows all about it.
After the 13 week assessment stage, where I received the lowest rate of benefit, I had my medical board (August 09)... they failed me on this, so I appealed for my case to be sent to the tribunals, where I WON my case and so have been receiving the lowest rate of benefit since then. When I got to this stage, I was unsure what happened next. I was told my certain people that I no longer needed to send in sick notes to the benefits delivery centre and that instead, I would just have to go for another medical board each year. I did send in one more sick note just in case. This note was for 13 weeks. I asked my doctor whether I still needed to send in sick notes and he just said he didn't know.
7 months on from my medical board, and I get a letter from the benefits centre saying that I need to send something in (for example, a written letter from my doctor) I'd imagine, saying that I still need to be on benefits... but isn't that just like another sick note? In which case, what was the point in having the medical? I'm so confused and extremely upset since, with my depression and anxieties, it's impossible to leave the house. I can't make phone calls either, to ask about all this, due to my phobias.
So, my questions are, when are they going to backdate me with the higher rate of money that I should now be receiving since winning my tribunal?
And what do I do about sick notes/medical notes? I will ask my doctor about it, but I know he won't know he answer. Why are they asking for a note after 7 months? And what note do they want exactly?
Thank you for reading, I hope someone can help me.

[ayabrea38]

I understand that you find it upsetting and difficult but you need proper benefits advice to sort this.Start by looking on the relevant websites,ie the .gov or any that give an address on the letters you have.
Sometimes doctors surgeries run a Citizens Advice surgery,where you can get proper advice,maybe try contacting them,or asking someone else to on your behalf.Receptionists can know details that doctors dont think of!
Also,is there anyone(other half/parent/sibling)who could act as a carer for you?
Good luck

[emma_llew]

My mother was given a form to fill in just recently about becoming my carer. But I so HATE the term...
We recently sent a letter to the benefits centre stating that I give permission for her to be my appointee, and she HAS phoned up for me to try to get some answers, but they never give a straight answer... it seems that the blame is always passed onto someone else... like they'll say 'Oh ask your doctor about that, as we don't know'.... and then the doctor will say the same thing!

[northernmonkey]

Can I ask you a couple of question's about this type of benefit if that is ok with yourself. If so, please let me know and I will post my questions, or if you prefer will send in a private message to you.

Thanks kindly

Simon

ps. I will fully read your question and see if there is anything which I can answer for you.

[emma_llew]

Yes Simon, please ask ahead...
If there's anything I don't want to write on here then, I'll write it privately.

[northernmonkey]

[email protected]

If it ok with you, send me an email and I can speak with you via email, due to the questions which I have regarding benefits and sick notes ect, I think are prob not what others are wanting to read because Its highly unlikley that they have the answers I am looking for.

Kind regards,

Simon

[emma_llew]

I sent you an email, Simon.

[northernmonkey]

Thanks very much Emma, I have recieved and replied to the email. Thank you kindly once again, is nice to know that dispite alot of people who are constantly negative ect on here that there is without a doubt some nice and pleasant people aswell who make a topic have a somewhat freindly atmosphere..... although it does explain what a difficult point in your life you are experiencing and I truly do have the upmost bestest of wishes that in a not-to-long period of time within the quite near future that everything in your life slowly no doubt but deffo surley begins to improve and help / encourage you to gain a more enjoyable life!!!