ESA50

Taggy wrote: Hi There

I'm getting close to completing the form & getting additional info finalised now. My Step Sons Mother has completed the form for him as he lacks Mental capacity & would not have a clue about how to fill this in or what to say. It states that even if someone else has filled the form in you must sign this yourself if you are able to. Does that mean any type of mark or signature as he could not legibly write his full name consistently? Or is it in order for his Mother who is also his benefits appointee to sign this on his behalf? If she does I assume she would sign her name in the box not his?

Also how best would you advise numbering/marking extra info sheets. I've printed off the form itself which runs to 20 pages, I've also got 3 separate lots of additional supportive evidence. These include an 18 page report from a consultant, a separate 2 page report from the consultant and also a 4 page submission from me as well.

Obviously also with so much paperwork its not really possible to staple them all together, so am wary of some of them going missing, should I perhaps staple another sheet to the front of the form saying how many other items i'm enclosing?

Many Thanks.

Best Regards - Taggy

Hi T,

Your stepson could make his mark in the signature box, and his Mother could also sign underneath, stating that she is his appointee.

Any separate pages (copies of originals) should have his name, NI Number and DOB at the head of every page.

You could also number them 1 of xx, 2 of xx 3 of xx, etc, etc, this will also help to indicate how may extra pages are included.

Try and make reference to any relevant extracts in the added documentation within the ESA50, e.g. see xxxx at Page 3 of xx.

You could also type up an index, and place this at the front, obviously pages 1 to 20 would be The ESA50 itself.

You may wish to consider putting the pages into punched clear pockets, and then forming the pages into a file.

How you attach the pages is your choice though.

I have previously provide information on posting the ESA50, etc, so you should refer to that.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Thanks Bro, will certainly keep you informed of how things progress.

Best Regards - Taggy

As ive printed off the ESA50 & not used the postal one sent, would it be best to put his name, DOB & Nat Ins number on each page of that too as well as the other supporting evidence, I've stapled those pages together of course so in theory they shouldn't come apart.

I just wondered the relevance of his actual signature really & why they ask for this even if someone else has filled in the form. He lacks capacity, & wont understand what's in the form in any case. His signature, well he usually just tries to write his Christian name actually, is not always legible & is always different each time he does it. Would there be a problem if just his Mother signed on his behalf?

Also with regards to posting, is their any real benefit to sending it recorded signed for as opposed to just obtaining proof of posting, as I think I read you say that many of the ATOS centres are just mail drops so, does that mean they don't get signed for, or there's difficulty getting a signature. I assume Royal Mail wont deliver them unless there's someone there to sign?

Does proof of posting just give you proof of posting something or the address details of what you have posted?

Many Thanks - Taggy

Best Regards - Taggy

Taggy wrote: As ive printed off the ESA50 & not used the postal one sent, would it be best to put his name, DOB & Nat Ins number on each page of that too as well as the other supporting evidence, I've stapled those pages together of course so in theory they shouldn't come apart.

I just wondered the relevance of his actual signature really & why they ask for this even if someone else has filled in the form. He lacks capacity, & wont understand what's in the form in any case. His signature, well he usually just tries to write his Christian name actually, is not always legible & is always different each time he does it. Would there be a problem if just his Mother signed on his behalf?

Also with regards to posting, is their any real benefit to sending it recorded signed for as opposed to just obtaining proof of posting, as I think I read you say that many of the ATOS centres are just mail drops so, does that mean they don't get signed for, or there's difficulty getting a signature. I assume Royal Mail wont deliver them unless there's someone there to sign?

Does proof of posting just give you proof of posting something or the address details of what you have posted?

Many Thanks - Taggy

Best Regards - Taggy

Hi T,

It would certainly do no harm to put his DOB, NINO, etc at the head of each of The ESA50 pages.

The reasoning behind my comments was purely a safeguard, as sometimes the DWP complicate the issue regarding appointees.

That is why I suggested him putting his mark, and his Mum countersigning it underneath.

However, if you happy that The DWP accept his Mum as his legal benefit appointee, you could proceed in that way.

You can simply gain proof of posting, however the added advantage of recorded delivery is that you can track and trace it online.

You could go the whole hog and post it by special guaranteed next day delivery, but this can prove to be expensive.

Some members, have been worried that ESA50's sent by recorded delivery are not showing up on line as being delivered by the deadline date.

However, none of these have come back and stated that their ESA50's were deemed to be "late"

See :

ESA50 too big for the envelope

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

bro58

Thanks for that bro, so proof of posting wont give you a reference number which can be checked online then? I'll probably send it recorded delivery then. I was thinking DWP perhaps just wanted some kind signature which they would then try to use as evidence that you've signed the form ok so there's nothing wrong with how you can use a pen, irrespective of what the signature looked like or if it would always look like that.

Best Regards - Taggy

The letter which came with the ESA was addressed to his Mum and stated it was for him as they understand she acts as his appointee.

Best regards - Taggy