ESA form - help!

RachieRiot

I am currently filling in a form for ESA but struggling to know what to put. I am about a week and a half out of hospital with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
I am staying in a one-bed flat with my dad as I have no where else to stay currently.

The past year I have been doing a part time internship and studying so have paid no NI and unsure if I want income-related or not.
I also am unsure if I should put down that I am homeless, as I am staying with my dad but it's definitely not a long term solution as it is a one-bed flat, also his wife stays here.

I have made no plans as of yet to go back to work, I have finished y internship and have no other job at the moment and feel unfit to work right now, let alone the stress of job-hunting.

I have no money and my dad is helping to support me right now, I have no savings or any other money coming in.

Is there anything else I should apply for?

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Indie_Kid

You may get pip as well if you have any care and /or mobility needs. But there's a huge back log. Are you on the housing list too?

SailorSam

When i had one of those to fill in and i completed all the basic answers then went to a local Welfare Rights office that we have nearby. It's similar to the Citizens Advice, and they made sure i made no mistakes.

RachieRiot

I don't think I have any care needs though I have been told not to live alone.

I am not on a housing list, no. Is it beneficial to? I have been living in London, and really want to return there once my benefits are sorted as my whole community is there. I came for a family wedding in scotland and then ended up in hospital while here, which is the main reason I am still here, unable to mentally and financially return to London.

pmlindyloo

You have two choices. ESA and JSA (Job Seekers Allowance).

If you have a fit note from your doctor and are not able to work at the moment then apply for ESA.

It is difficult to help on a forum about completing an ESA form as we do not know how your illness affects you.

CAB would be able to help you complete the form or if you feel able to share which parts of the form you need help with and some information about your illness then we may be able to suggest things.

Once you have sent of the form you will be in the assessment phase. This is supposed to last for 13 weeks before you get your medical but is currently taking much longer.

Have you got support from your doctor or other medical professionals?

As regards your address - just put c/o your dad's address for the time being.

RachieRiot

SailorSam wrote: »

When i had one of those to fill in and i completed all the basic answers then went to a local Welfare Rights office that we have nearby. It's similar to the Citizens Advice, and they made sure i made no mistakes.

I have made an appointment with Citizens advice, unfortunately the earliest appointment I could get was 2 weeks today

RachieRiot

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You have two choices. ESA and JSA (Job Seekers Allowance).

If you have a fit note from your doctor and are not able to work at the moment then apply for ESA.

It is difficult to help on a forum about completing an ESA form as we do not know how your illness affects you.

CAB would be able to help you complete the form or if you feel able to share which parts of the form you need help with and some information about your illness then we may be able to suggest things.

Once you have sent of the form you will be in the assessment phase. This is supposed to last for 13 weeks before you get your medical but is currently taking much longer.

Have you got support from your doctor or other medical professionals?

As regards your address - just put c/o your dad's address for the time being.

I am getting support from my GP and a local mental health team at the moment. I am not applying for JSA because I can't mentally cope with the stress at the moment.

pmlindyloo

RachieRiot wrote: »

I have made an appointment with Citizens advice, unfortunately the earliest appointment I could get was 2 weeks today

This may be of some help:

http://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/work-capability-assessment/esa50-questionnaire

There is also another link with help on how to complete certain questions (I think it says ''here'')

If you need more time to complete the questionnaire by going to CAB you can ask for it explaining that you can't get an appointment with CAB until .....

RachieRiot

pmlindyloo wrote: »

This may be of some help:

http://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/work-capability-assessment/esa50-questionnaire

There is also another link with help on how to complete certain questions (I think it says ''here'')

If you need more time to complete the questionnaire by going to CAB you can ask for it explaining that you can't get an appointment with CAB until .....

That's a really helpful link! Thank you!

rogerblack

My advise in general would be to forget it's about you.
Imagine you're following round someone in your condition 24*7, watching everything.

Carefully read every question, and think if there is any way you could argue they have significant difficulties with a task.