ESA application confusion

Jay19802

I am going to apply for ESA but looking into it I'm confused. I read I do not send a doctors fit note with the first ESA 1 form. It can be done over the phone but I'd prefer to write as have very bad anxiety. The paper form does seem to ask for a doctors note.

But people and sites say don't send it as it will be separated. Only send it with the follow up ESA 50?

Also, I have been on single person working tax credit. Do I have to stop this? I left my last job 4 years ago due to the bad anxiety and depression. Since then I've spent all my savings and self employment online work is not bringing in enough to live on.

Many thanks. Took years to get to this point and very unsure.

paragon909

Jay19802 wrote: »

I am going to apply for ESA but looking into it I'm confused. I read I do not send a doctors fit note with the first ESA 1 form. It can be done over the phone but I'd prefer to write as have very bad anxiety. The paper form does seem to ask for a doctors note.

But people and sites say don't send it as it will be separated. Only send it with the follow up ESA 50?

Also, I have been on single person working tax credit. Do I have to stop this? I left my last job 4 years ago due to the bad anxiety and depression. Since then I've spent all my savings and self employment online work is not bringing in enough to live on.

Many thanks. Took years to get to this point and very unsure.

You can download the initial ESA application from DWP, It's called ESA1, You fill this in and send it back with a sick note from your doctor, The first 7 days of your claim is self certified and you won't get paid for this period, DWP will work all this bit out for you.

After being on ESA for around 2-3 weeks you will be sent an ESA50 which needs to be sent back or they will stop your claim. The ESA50 goes to the medical provider who will either do a paper based decision or ask you to come for a face to face.

Jay19802

Thanks for the nice, succinct response

pmlindyloo

If you put your mobile telephone number on the corner of your fit note the DWP will text you to tell you they have received it.

As regards working tax credit you can continue to claim this for 28 weeks if you were self employed and doing the correct hours immediately before you were sick and you have an expectation of going back to work.

Read this: http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/wtc-stopped-working

TELLIT01

Also, please complete your name, address and National Insurance number details on the 'fit note'. That way, even if it does become separated from the ESA1 form, it can still be matched up.
You'd be amazed at the number of 'fit notes' received with none of that information completed.
I would advise stapling the 'fit note' to the ESA1, inside the front page.

TELLIT01

Jay19802 wrote: »

I
Also, I have been on single person working tax credit. Do I have to stop this? I left my last job 4 years ago due to the bad anxiety and depression. Since then I've spent all my savings and self employment online work is not bringing in enough to live on.

If you haven't worked for 4 years you shouldn't be in receipt of Working Tax Credits. They are only payable for 4 weeks after employment ceases, and a maximum of 28 weeks if self-employed.
You mention about s/e online work not bringing in enough to live on, so how many hours per week are you currently doing s/e and how much does it bring in.
I'm sure somebody else will be able to clarify whether or not you do still have entitlement to WTC on the s/e basis. The rules changed in 2015, see this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revenue-and-customs-brief-7-2015-new-rules-for-the-self-employed-claiming-working-tax-credit/revenue-and-customs-brief-7-2015-new-rules-for-the-self-employed-claiming-working-tax-credit