Sending off ESA50 advice on wordcount plz

hi, im filling in the esa50 form for only the 2nd time ever. last time they sent one out was 3yrs ago to switch from IS to ESA they put me in the support group without a medical. that time i filled in the pdf esa50 form on the pc and in every box wrote see additional information and included a typed sheet of paper for each relevant question on the form to me.

this time, since nothing much has changed im doing the same, editing the same information and updating it where necessary. in the "about your disability" section i have written a substantial amount, 3000 words in that section alone detailing the history of the rheumatoid arthritis ive had since i was a child and the recent treatment im receiving and the condition of my joints in general. in this information ive also included a section ive called "a typical day" which ive described how my pain affects me through the day and what sort of things i do, when i need to rest etc.

i am worried that im drowning them in information and its not even going to get read. am i doing the right thing? it worked last time in the sense of i got switched without a medical and this time its essentially the same just updated

any advice for me?
thanks

thanks for the reply, every time i re read it i still think its all relevant, it mentions my disability, my joint replacements and other conditions, it mentions my home been designed and built for a disabled person and the fact its a type of sheltered accommodation with onsite carers. everything seems relevant so i feel to chop it down may mean cutting away something i believe is relevant.

on the subject of carers tho i only have a small care plan, mainly domestic chores are done for me (hoovering, mopping, laundry and ironing) is it worth me getting a "testimonial" from one of my carers basically stating what they do for me, how long theyve known me and cared for me etc?

i have letter from my gp and im waiting one from my specialist but ive never included a carers one before, will they see it as relevant or a waste of paper? because they only do a small amount for me is it better to omit it? (i see it as a small amount only compared to what some of my neighbours have done for them, meals cooked etc)

mikea wrote: thanks for the reply, every time i re read it i still think its all relevant, it mentions my disability, my joint replacements and other conditions, it mentions my home been designed and built for a disabled person and the fact its a type of sheltered accommodation with onsite carers. everything seems relevant so i feel to chop it down may mean cutting away something i believe is relevant.

on the subject of carers tho i only have a small care plan, mainly domestic chores are done for me (hoovering, mopping, laundry and ironing) is it worth me getting a "testimonial" from one of my carers basically stating what they do for me, how long theyve known me and cared for me etc?

i have letter from my gp and im waiting one from my specialist but ive never included a carers one before, will they see it as relevant or a waste of paper? because they only do a small amount for me is it better to omit it? (i see it as a small amount only compared to what some of my neighbours have done for them, meals cooked etc)

Hi m,

"on the subject of carers tho i only have a small care plan, mainly domestic chores are done for me (hoovering, mopping, laundry and ironing) is it worth me getting a "testimonial" from one of my carers basically stating what they do for me, how long theyve known me and cared for me etc?"

Yes, "Testimonial"/Letter such as this should help, and should be taken into account by The Assessor.

We have heard from members where they have provided such "Testimonials" and they have been taken into account as The Assessment Providers (AP) have contacted the "carer" for confirmation, although this is not a common occurance.

So anyone who is aware of how your limitations affect you on a day to day basis who writes a "Testimonial" or letter of support should be prepared to be contacted by The AP, even if it turns out that they don't !

bro58

Thanks for that, also I had spotted about the changes to the form, manual dexterity was not in it last time , I have downloaded the new guide from this site