Question Regarding ESA50 Questionnaire

Hi everyone.

I have had chronic fatigue syndrome for 12yrs and have been on Incapacity for over 10yrs.

At the moment I am in the process of being transferred from Incapacity Benefits to ESA and am just trying to fill out the questionnaire. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what answers to put for some of the questions and so was wondering if you could give me some advice.

I know that you can't give advice on individual circumstances, but, for example, say a person could manage to sit, stand or walk for a certain amount of time/distance. However, by doing this it would lead to this person becoming ill and pretty much bed bound for days afterwards. Do you think that this person would be considered as being able to do these things or not?

Another question. Is it advised to get a letter from my GP? I remember in the old Incapacity Benefits questionnaire they would contact your doctor themselves anyway. Do they not do that anymore?

1) You can use the box to say what happens if you do, or try to do, that particular activity.

2) DWP do not always (or often) approach your GP. A GP's letter is particularly helpful if it makes direct reference to the descriptors that fit your circumstances.