ESA Claim Support Statement

no_control

Hello,


I would be very grateful for some advice.....


My friend has asked me to write a support statement for her ESA claim which I am more than happy to do for her as I really want to help her - I'm just panicking as I don't know what to write or even what format to use.... I've looked online but can't find any templates or anything useful at all......


Please can anyone help?


Thank you!

pmlindyloo

You don't say what your relationship is to your friend. Are you her carer - ie. do you help her around the house or something else?

Why has she asked you to write something? Do you know her really well and know her disabilities?

To get you started, have a look at the descriptors for ESA here: First lot are for the WRAG group, the second lot for the Support group.

https://www.sense.org.uk/content/esa-descriptors-determine-whether-you-have-limited-capability-work

You can write it as a statement - Re: name

I have known *** for *** years.

During this time I have acted as .....................

Then you can comment on what you know about her and commenting on any aspect that would be evidence of her meeting any of the descriptors.

Sorry to be so waffly but without knowing your relationship and her disabilities/difficulties it is very difficult to be more precise.

Bit more information please!

no_control

Thank you for your prompt reply, I really appreciate it.


No, I am not my friend's carer - just a really good friend who knows how much she struggles every day and she has told me she can include support statements from friends and family with her claim.


I don't want to go into details about her disabilities/difficulties but what you've told me is helpful, thank you.

pmlindyloo

no_control wrote: »

Thank you for your prompt reply, I really appreciate it.


No, I am not my friend's carer - just a really good friend who knows how much she struggles every day and she has told me she can include support statements from friends and family with her claim.


I don't want to go into details about her disabilities/difficulties but what you've told me is helpful, thank you.

No worries.

So a good starting point is the descriptors and then your saying what you have observed when you have been with her.

TELLIT01

I assume your friend has received an ESA50 form, where she can detail her illness and how it affects her. If she is only just making a claim there is no point in sending supporting docs at that stage.

pmlindyloo

TELLIT01 wrote: »

I assume your friend has received an ESA50 form, where she can detail her illness and how it affects her. If she is only just making a claim there is no point in sending supporting docs at that stage.

On what basis are you suggesting this??????

According to CA's website you can send it in with your ESA50 form.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/medical-evidence/

as well as sending in anything extra later.

TELLIT01

pmlindyloo wrote: »

On what basis are you suggesting this??????

According to CA's website you can send it in with your ESA50 form.

as well as sending in anything extra later.

As I said, if she is completing the ESA50 then do send supporting documents with it. I also said that if she is only just making the claim, and therefore won't have received the ESA50 yet, there is absolutely no point in sending any supporting information other than a 'fit note'. Any medical reports etc, received with the initial ESA claim, will either get filed in the processing office and never sent to the medical assessment office, or be returned to the claimant.
Please read what has been said before jumping down my throat!!
The advice given comes from over 7 years experience of what actually happens during claim processing.

pmlindyloo

TELLIT01 wrote: »

As I said, if she is completing the ESA50 then do send supporting documents with it. I also said that if she is only just making the claim, and therefore won't have received the ESA50 yet, there is absolutely no point in sending any supporting information other than a 'fit note'. Any medical reports etc, received with the initial ESA claim, will either get filed in the processing office and never sent to the medical assessment office, or be returned to the claimant.
Please read what has been said before jumping down my throat!!
The advice given comes from over 7 years experience of what actually happens during claim processing.

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Misinterpreted what you said. Didn't realise that you meant the initial claim as most people don't use a form now, just telephone to start their claim.