Answering the moving around question re ESA

Hi all,

I think my wife id due for another ESA review soon so I am starting to fill in the ESA50 now rather than leave it for the usual panic when it arrives. She is currently in the support group following a transfer from IB and a tribunal 2 years ago.

The new version has the 50 meter or more tick boxes for movement, as opposed to the old one that had the at least 50 meters option. Before my wife answered 'No' to that question as she cannot walk any distance without help using an elbow crutch, as she has significant pain when she tries to mobilise and is likely to fall over, as she has little or no feeling in her right leg. She mainly uses a wheelchair in and out of the house, but cannot self propel as it causes her spine to go into spasm, which in turn causes significant pain and nausea. Her right arm is also very weak. I am her full time carer and always propel her wheelchair.

My question is which box does she tick now as she cannot move 50 meters. At best it is a few meters with help and a crutch inside the house and she does not self propel the wheelchair at all as above. Is it a case of leaving it blank and putting the above comments in the box in that section?

Thanks as always in advance for any help.

You are absolutely correct! If none of the boxes accurately reflect your wife's limitations then you should leave the boxes unticked and explain the situation in the text box.

You might have heard recently that many routine assessments have been suspended for the time being, so it is not certain when your wife will be reassessed.

Many thanks for the reply.