ESA50 form opinions please.....

melbury

Before I get lambasted for posting this on two threads (this one and Benefits & Tax Credits), I just want to say that perhaps some people don't necessarily look at both of them and I really would like some opinions:o
So apologies in advance!

I am about to start completing this form again for the umpteenth time and am just wondering if it is actually worth going into great detail and writing reams, which is what I have done in the post.

I am not entirely convinced that firstly it actually all gets read and secondly that it makes any difference as to whether or not ATOS summon you for a medical assessment, after all they get paid a substantial sum for carrying these out don't they.

My OH's health has deteriorated over the past six months and he is currently having diagnostic tests, which we have been told will probably end up with him having to undergo further surgery.

I am worried sick about his health issues anyway, without having to cope with this form. Honestly they make you jump through hoops now, even when you have worked and paid NI for decades.

Isn't it possible to write a letter of explanation to the DWP and ask to be excused from the ESA50 for the time being?

Who triggers the sending out of these forms? Is it the DWP or ATOS?

melbury

copa_feela wrote: »

It is very irritating when people post duplicate threads ...

Your husband will not be excused from the WCA. Once the process has begun, unless he becomes exempt, it will not be stopped.

Why is it irritating? Surely not everyone bothers to look on both threads do they?

Richie-from-the-Boro

melbury wrote: »

Before I get lambasted for posting this on two threads (this one and Benefits & Tax Credits), I just want to say that perhaps some people don't necessarily look at both of them and I really would like some opinions:o
So apologies in advance!

I am about to start completing this form again for the umpteenth time and am just wondering if it is actually worth going into great detail and writing reams, which is what I have done in the post.

I am not entirely convinced that firstly it actually all gets read and secondly that it makes any difference as to whether or not ATOS summon you for a medical assessment, after all they get paid a substantial sum for carrying these out don't they.

My OH's health has deteriorated over the past six months and he is currently having diagnostic tests, which we have been told will probably end up with him having to undergo further surgery.

I am worried sick about his health issues anyway, without having to cope with this form. Honestly they make you jump through hoops now, even when you have worked and paid NI for decades.

Isn't it possible to write a letter of explanation to the DWP and ask to be excused from the ESA50 for the time being?

Who triggers the sending out of these forms? Is it the DWP or ATOS?

- unless your husband has a signed DS1500 its unlikely they will consider, let alone agree to your wishes
- and unless you follow the rules they give you on returning the form they may simply stop ESA payments
- clearly, the quickest way to be paid on the claim is to submit [STRIKE]your[/STRIKE] his ESA50 on time

Not returning the form [or attending the ATOS medical] will be treated as not having a limited capability for work and his ESA will stop, a risky venture 'melbury', if you do miss the deadline [STRIKE]he[/STRIKE] you should :

1. Complete and return the questionnaire as soon as possible.
2. Consider whether you had ‘good cause’ for not completing it in time and write a letter to the DWP stating why.
3. If the DWP do not accept this, consider appealing against the decision to disallow him ESA.
4. Put in a new claim for ESA to safeguard his entitlement; however if you put in a new claim without returning a completed self-assessment questionnaire from the previous claim the DWP will not pay him, unless you can show that he has a new condition or that his condition has significantly worsened.

* - ‘good cause’ is :

- his state of health
- the nature of his disability
- whether he is in the UK at the time
- anything else which is relevant

Richie-from-the-Boro

blabby2 wrote: »

If you need Disability benefits help .. .. I write SPAM

- more spam blabby2, you've been busy tonight

clouty

You have one month to get that ESA 50 in from the date it was posted... I know it's horrible, but it's prob. easier than the alternatives. Did you keep a copy of the last one? Refer to that, if so. If not, make sure to keep a copy of this one.

Here's an online guide which should make it easier. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44533954/ESA%2050%20help.pdf

melbury

clouty wrote: »

You have one month to get that ESA 50 in from the date it was posted... I know it's horrible, but it's prob. easier than the alternatives. Did you keep a copy of the last one? Refer to that, if so. If not, make sure to keep a copy of this one.

Here's an online guide which should make it easier. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/44533954/ESA%2050%20help.pdf

Thank you for the link, very helpful.

I know I will have to sit down and fill the form in and then we will have to attend the medical and then appeal the decision - it is all just inevitable, but so exhausting and then soon after it all happens again.

It is bad enough trying to cope with working full time, attending all of the hospital appointments etc without all of this.

melbury

I am still not clear on one point:

Do ATOS/DWP actually keep all of the previous ESA50 forms that have been submitted? I feel that I should refer them to the previous form regarding some issues, or wouldn't that be a good idea?

I have my doubts as to whether the DWP ever actually see the form anyway!

Is each form treated like a completely new application and you have to start from scratch again?

Many thanks.

clouty

You must start from scratch, you can use your old form as a guide, but write it all out again. People who just put 'same as before' often fail to qualify. The DWP do keep your old forms, but are notorious for loosing things, so don't rely on it.

Sheahaven

I really struggled to complete my ESA50 form. Yet, because I knew the pains/handwritingf would get worse I also (struggled) to type 'a day in the life.. and sent that as extra sheets of information. SOo when I went though the form and on questions wanted me to be descriptive (handwritten on the form), I stated see additional sheets - hoping that would cover it. These extra sheets weren't brief! It was hard work, but I was awarded it.

MrsManda

I've just filled out mine and I know it can be daunting to fill out but it's a necessary part of the process if you want to claim ESA.

As other posters have said you get a month to fill it out so you don't have to do it all in one go. But the more detail you put into it the better. I did mine over the course of a week, filling out all the easy bits first (personal details, details of medical professionals etc...) then tackled a question at a time.

The form is looked at and if you fill it in with a lot of detail then it's possible to get ESA without a medical. My last review went through on the basis of my ESA50 form alone.

On a vaguely related note does anyone know how long the assessments are taking at the moment?