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ESA50 Advice
- Holly26
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6 years 4 months ago #203998 by Holly26
ESA50 Advice was created by Holly26
Hi,
I received the ESA50 form just before Christmas and I am only now just getting round to dealing with it, because I simply haven't found the energy to be able to do so.
I have severe mental health issues and find it very difficult to engage in face to face interactions and specifically leave the house. Because of this I find it difficult to see a GP and haven't seen a GP in almost 3 years now. I'm worried that because I don't see a GP or a 'health professional' my claim will be damaged. To make matters worse, the GP I was seeing prior to be placed in the SG left the practice a few weeks later. I don't think there is enough time to see a GP between now and returning the form. Is there anything I can do?
I received the ESA50 form just before Christmas and I am only now just getting round to dealing with it, because I simply haven't found the energy to be able to do so.
I have severe mental health issues and find it very difficult to engage in face to face interactions and specifically leave the house. Because of this I find it difficult to see a GP and haven't seen a GP in almost 3 years now. I'm worried that because I don't see a GP or a 'health professional' my claim will be damaged. To make matters worse, the GP I was seeing prior to be placed in the SG left the practice a few weeks later. I don't think there is enough time to see a GP between now and returning the form. Is there anything I can do?
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- Gordon
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6 years 4 months ago #204012 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA50 Advice
Holly
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
For help completing the form, have a look at our ESA Claim guides on the following link
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1
As to the medical evidence, it is what it is, it is far more important for you to return the form than worry about having evidence to support your claim. There are long delays across most of the country in the assessment process, so you should have time after the form is returned to look at how you can support what you have put on the form.
I would start by seeing your new GP to find out what support they are willing to provide and then you can go from there, as a worst case you can request a copy of your medical records. See
Requesting your medical records
Charging for medical records
If you have further questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
For help completing the form, have a look at our ESA Claim guides on the following link
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1
As to the medical evidence, it is what it is, it is far more important for you to return the form than worry about having evidence to support your claim. There are long delays across most of the country in the assessment process, so you should have time after the form is returned to look at how you can support what you have put on the form.
I would start by seeing your new GP to find out what support they are willing to provide and then you can go from there, as a worst case you can request a copy of your medical records. See
Requesting your medical records
Charging for medical records
If you have further questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Holly26
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6 years 4 months ago #204131 by Holly26
Replied by Holly26 on topic ESA50 Advice
Thank you for your help Gordon.
In addition would it be entirely acceptable to write my answers to the relevant questions on separate sheets of paper rather than write in the boxes as I find them too small to say what I need to say.
Many thanks
In addition would it be entirely acceptable to write my answers to the relevant questions on separate sheets of paper rather than write in the boxes as I find them too small to say what I need to say.
Many thanks
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- Gordon
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6 years 4 months ago #204140 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA50 Advice
Holly
It is perfectly OK for you to type your answers and attach them as extra pages to the ESA50, just make sure that each page has your full name and NIN at the top and that they are numbered, we recommend "page X of Y" so that it is easy to see if pages are missing. Make sure you clearly mark on the form where your answers are and on the relevant page that you are answering question X.
Attach the pages to the back of the ESA50 using a staple or make a hole in the top left corner and use a treasury tag, string or ribbon to the form. The pages need to be easily detached so that they can be scanned by the DWP.
Gordon
It is perfectly OK for you to type your answers and attach them as extra pages to the ESA50, just make sure that each page has your full name and NIN at the top and that they are numbered, we recommend "page X of Y" so that it is easy to see if pages are missing. Make sure you clearly mark on the form where your answers are and on the relevant page that you are answering question X.
Attach the pages to the back of the ESA50 using a staple or make a hole in the top left corner and use a treasury tag, string or ribbon to the form. The pages need to be easily detached so that they can be scanned by the DWP.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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