Asbo wrote: Hi
Do I have to give a phone number on the form? I am unable to attend a Face to Face assessment and am phobic of official calls and phone calls in general. I understand that under The Equality Act a reasonable adjustment would be for them to write so I wondered whether I should just not fill out that bit explaining about the problems I have on the phone.
Where it asks about any other support I am receiving, shall I mention a family member who supports me all the time as well as my GP?
Re Q15 about going out - my biggest terror is being forced to go to the Job Centre and do all that activity. Should I mention this on the form? It's the elephant in the room if I don't. I couldn't cope with the pressure, the harrassment and not being in control - should I say all these things as well as other examples?
It's really confusing to know where to send any 'extra evidence' too. It says in the letter to send them in with the ESA50 (ie to Atos), then in the next sentence it says to send to Job Centre Plus. I know others have been confused by this.
Thanks.
Hi A,
No, you do not have to provide your phone number in The ESA50.
Don't be surprised if they already have it though, as you may have provided it in the past, and forgotten about it.
You do not have to answer any calls regarding the making of a face to face appointment, if you can't due to your limitations.
Yes, you can make a formal request for "Reasonable Adjustments" under EA2010, Re : this, and include it in the ESA50.
Go into detail regarding your limitations, and why you need any "Reasonable Adjustments" to be made.
Yes, you can refer to help and support that you may receive from any source, such as a carer, relative or friend. They can even write a letter of support stating that they know you well and help you regarding your limitations on a regular basis.
You should go into detail, of how and why your limitations would preclude you from visiting any such public or strange place, such as JCP.
You should send any extra evidence along with your ESA50 to ATOS, (Copies) make sure that you put your Name, NI Number and DOB at the top of any extra pages.
Draw reference to any added evidence within the ESA50 to support the limitations that you suffer.
You could also send a "Shadow Copy" of all, to The DWP, this could be addressed : FAO The ESA Decision Maker, at the address of The Benefits Office/Centre that is on any DWP ESA letters that you have. This will ensure that The DM has access to the same information that ATOS have when coming to a decision. This option is not obligatory though, and only a safeguard.
Finally, if you wish to have your face to face recorded, (if you are to have one) it would be wise to request this now, along with The ESA50.
There is a template letter for this, titled " Letter asking for your medical to be recorded"
3rd link from the bottom on this page :
ESA Claims Guides Finally, see :
ESA50 too big for the envelope &
Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS I do not know whether you are using the PDF ESA50, this of course would depend on the version that you have received, the new version 01/13 is available from the link on this page :
Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire bro58
