Confusion abot which guide to use for ESA50

A bit confused about which guide I should use to complete ESA50, even after reading the "Understanding ESA" guide.

I have ESA 1/13 form now to fill out.

Letter dated 22 January 2012 stating that my benefit is changing to ESA.

Letter dated 18 April 2012, stating 'Your claim for ESA" -with banking info verification.

Unsure the date of decision, but it seems that the initial decision on my claim was made before 28th January 2013. .... so, I am unsure if I should be using the ‘Full January 2013 changes’ version or the The ‘Partial January 2013 changes’ guide.

Thank you for any clarification about this. As is always the case, time is tight. (When isn't it??)

Thank you Gordon, I thought that I should use the new guide, but in haste read the 'are you using the right guide' section incorrectly.

I have finished the form and it is now ready to copy and post tomorrow. I will send it overnight, but it is not due until next week. So, it should be fine.

There was a real snag getting supporting medical evidence; I know I could have sent the form first, then sent the supporting documents later, but I was uncomfortable filling in the form without the letters and other bits whilst I did so. Getting appointments to view my medical records took time, then more time for people to locate my records, and then find time on their schedule to accommodate an appointment for me to view and copy. In the meanwhile, I went through the form and guide together and wrote out my answers in a notebook first.

Well, it has only been the last two days that I actually got access to my medical files. I had seen them before, both those at hospital and the GP surgery. My hesitation to fill in and send the form before getting my medical documents was -as it turned out-- well founded. Some of my medical records, letters, etc are missing -in both places; and the most important letter that I wished to include with my form is one of the missing documents. I cobbled together as much as I could, including other documents that included bits and pieces of what the important missing letter would have provided. The author of the missing letter is far from my locale and requesting in writing and waiting for a copy from there will take time; so I could not just pop round and get another copy.

The Caldicott Guardian will investigate what has happened to my records, as nothing should ever be removed from patient's files. That's another task for another day. I will still request another copy of the important letter from the author, and I am reasonably sure that I will have it for my 'medical' assessment with Atos, at the latest. I have made note on the ESA form that something further will be sent as soon as I can get it.

I also wanted to make a few comments about the new guide!

I like it.

The forms, wording and descriptors have changed and it is much harder, but the guides gave me clear interpretation of what was being asked and how detailed to make my answers. I am certain that using them has allowed me to complete the form as fully as possible and with more focus and clarity than if I had not used the guide. I really do feel that using the guides has given me the best chance of submitting a fair and accurate claim.

I also found the comments in the guides very supportive. Where I was less than pleased, or found wording perhaps intentionally less than clear, the comments tended to validate my perceptions. Some explanations and comments in the guide raised a wry smile --and as I followed it along, it was as if I had a understanding and helpful person sitting beside me. That was reassuring and very helpful in many ways.
It is obvious that the guides have been written with a lot of thought and care, aside from the legal considerations of the descriptors and intent of the questions. I'd like to say thank you and that I appreciate how much work, thought and expertise has gone into writing them.

Now the wait for the 'medical'.
An update on how it all turns out will be posted in due time.
Thanks again!