Worried about returning ESA50

FrankW921

Hi everyone,
I'm in the Support Group and i was send an ESA50 to return by January 22nd. I'm waiting for my doctor to complete a letter of support to send of with it. What i'm worried about it getting the form to them in time as i'm still waiting for the doctors. I have read a lot of posts with people having their claim closed even before the deadline and its causing me nothing but stress.

What is the best way to do this in your opinion? With the date of return being 22nd when is the latest to post it without giving myself any issues? I will contact my doctor tomorrow to see if there is any update on the letter. I've been waiting nearly 2 weeks for it.

To my understanding the post goes into one huge bin and is sent off before being sorted? So it would probably pass the 22nd before they know its sent back anyway, Do they give any leeway on this considering how they deal with there post?

Thank you all

FrankW921

Also thought i should ask. If its possible to send off this GP letter after the ESA50. Just incase they cannot get me the letter in time i cant wait to send off the ESA50.

Alice_Holt

This is nicked from the Benefits & Work guide:

"You can submit supporting evidence, especially medical evidence with your ESA50
questionnaire. If at all possible, don’t send the original letters, take photocopies and send
those – it’s far from unknown for the DWP to lose evidence.

Because the time for completing and returning the ESA50 has been reduced from six weeks
to 4 weeks (the time for returning the UC50 has always been 4 weeks), it may be difficult to
obtain supporting evidence in time to submit it with your form. If so, do not delay returning
your form– it’s vital that you return it within the deadline. Instead, submit any further
evidence as soon as you get it.

We would also recommend you take copies along to your medical if you have to have one,
just in case the ones you sent with your form have got separated. The WCA Handbook
informs Maximus health professionals that:
‘At times the claimant may also bring additional evidence to the assessment. Any evidence
bought [sic] by the claimant must be read and the report should make reference to the
evidence that has been considered and justification provided if there is a conflict between the
opinion of the HCP and the other medical evidence. Any evidence brought by the claimant,
should be copied for the Decision Maker.’"

B & W -
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance -
Is a useful site.

I would encourage you to look at:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/
or the B&W guide when completing the ESA50

If you are in the SG through regulation 35 then be sure to explain the risks fully on the additional info page,
http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/esa-and-substantial-risk
as there is isn't a question on this within the form.

I would normally suggest a visit to your local CAB / advice agency, but in your case time doesn't allow this.

FrankW921

Thank you Alice,
Do you know if i send additional medical evidence to the address on the prepaid envelope for the ESA50?
Or the address listed on their website. There seem to be so many different addresses scattered about i've no clue where i'd send it.

Dee53

Frank there is quite a backlog with Esa at the moment in some areas, send off your form special delivery so you have proof of postage before the date, send any additional paperwork to the same address (copies) keeping also a copy for yourself ov everything you send even your form so you can refer to it,
Sending in information needs to be processed into your file, however if you receive new evidence which you think will support your claim after you have posted the form then you can hand this in to the assessor making sure she logs it down and reads it.
You can also state that 'you are taking all medication prescribed and to consider regulation 29 and ultimately 35 as you feel that you would pose a substantial risk to himself and others if placed in the workplace.
Fightback4justice have lots more information if you need it. 'Nicking' from B&W hmm not professional Alice?

TELLIT01

I'll leave others to confirm the address to send the info to, but you must ensure that everything you send is clearly marked with your name and National Insurance Number. Sending supporting information without that is totally pointless as there will be no way to link that with the original claim.

poppy12345

Dee53 wrote: »

Frank there is quite a backlog with Esa at the moment in some areas, send off your form special delivery so you have proof of postage before the date, send any additional paperwork to the same address (copies) keeping also a copy for yourself ov everything you send even your form so you can refer to it,
Sending in information needs to be processed into your file, however if you receive new evidence which you think will support your claim after you have posted the form then you can hand this in to the assessor making sure she logs it down and reads it.
You can also state that 'you are taking all medication prescribed and to consider regulation 29 and ultimately 35 as you feel that you would pose a substantial risk to himself and others if placed in the workplace.
Fightback4justice have lots more information if you need it. 'Nicking' from B&W hmm not professional Alice?

I wouldn't advice handing it in to the assessor, they very often won't take extra evidence on the day. They will ask you to send it to DWP, i've heard this happen many times. Reg 29 is WRAG, i'm sure the OP wouldn't be happen with that. Reg 35 is Support Group.

Fightback4justice?? hmm ok i see.........:rotfl:

Dee53

Poppy this is incase the 'extra paperwork isnt processed in time for the assessor to view it ...be on the safe side and hand to the assessor anyway? yes FBack give lots of free advice, worth taking a look..I'm no promoting in any way just offering help

poppy12345

Dee53 wrote: »

Poppy this is incase the 'extra paperwork isnt processed in time for the assessor to view it ...be on the safe side and hand to the assessor anyway? yes FBack give lots of free advice, worth taking a look..I'm no promoting in any way just offering help

I never said not to hand it in, what i said was i wouldn't advice doing that. Lots of assessors won't accept the extra evidence. Ive heard it happen so many times.

epitome

FrankW921 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I'm in the Support Group and i was send an ESA50 to return by January 22nd. I'm waiting for my doctor to complete a letter of support to send of with it. What i'm worried about it getting the form to them in time as i'm still waiting for the doctors. I have read a lot of posts with people having their claim closed even before the deadline and its causing me nothing but stress.

What is the best way to do this in your opinion? With the date of return being 22nd when is the latest to post it without giving myself any issues? I will contact my doctor tomorrow to see if there is any update on the letter. I've been waiting nearly 2 weeks for it.

To my understanding the post goes into one huge bin and is sent off before being sorted? So it would probably pass the 22nd before they know its sent back anyway, Do they give any leeway on this considering how they deal with there post?

Thank you all

Did you migrate from IB IS or did you make a new claim to ESA?

If you made a new claim...what medical conditions were mentioned on your Sicknotes?

Anyway...whatever the case... phone 0800 2 888777
and ask if there is a Mental Health tagged = yes on your medical referral....

If they say yes,,,then the deadline does not apply to you.... It can be late and nothing will happen.

If they say No,,, then fill it in straightaway, phone ESA and ask for a jobcentre appointment to have it scanned to ESA as soon as possible.

To answer your question...with the deadline at 22nd Jan What is the latest for posting to avoid any issues ?
The latest for posting would be the 7th of January, you have missed that boat, which is why I said to get a jobcentre appointment and have it scanned to ESA.... in which case the latest date to avoid issues would be 19th January, although in reality the 23rd or the 24th would be just fine also.

Also yes, you can send the doctors evidence after you have sent the form ESA50, you can send it either in the medical services envelope provided or you can have it scanned by jobcentre appointment direct to ESA, who will then pass it on to medical services.