New member here :) Sending my ESA50 -help

ESA71 wrote: Hello! I'm a new member. I first got ESA in 2010 I think. Or even 2009. For mental health problems. I failed the medical - they gave me about 7 points. I requested an appeal and I won at tribunal. I won the tribunal around late 2010. Then I never heard a thing from them again until a few weeks ago when they sent an ESA50 form.

I've got to send it in by the end of this week. I'm completely housebound due to severe agoraphobia. If they call me into a medical I won't be able to attend and I'm really scared about what to do as I have no other income and no savings. My other mental health problems include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depression, Psychosis and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. I've got supporting evidence from a psychiatrist, psychologist and GP.

Any suggestions to make being called for a medical less likely? Thanks

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

I need to confirm something, by end of the week, do you mean tomorrow, Friday 28 June?

The best way to avoid an assessment, there are no guarantees, is for you to complete the ESA50 in detail and supply up to date evidence.

If your form has to be back tomorrow, then it may be a case of damage limitation, normally a failure to return an ESA50 will result in the claim being closed, but it is possible that because of your mental health issues this will not be case.

In either case I would recommend that you complete the ESA50 in as much detail as possible over the next few days with intention of posting it on Monday. It would also be worth your contacting both the DWP and ATOS to let them know that you are struggling with the form but will be sending it as soon as you are able. Their phone number should be on the letters you have received in regard to your current claim.

If the form does not have to be back until next Friday then you will have more time to complete the form but is very important that you post it time for it to be received by ATOS by the required date.

We have a guide especially for claiming ESA on mental health grounds, questions 11-17 on the ESA50

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

But if you have time I would also recommend your going through the Claims on Physical grounds as well.

To arrange a home assessment, you need your GP or another suitable medical practitioner to write a letter specifically detailing why you need this, I am afraid it is at the discretion of ATOS whether they allow this.

The forum is open 2pm-4pm in the afternoon and 8pm-10pm, Monday to Friday, so if you have any more detailed questions, please reply to this post.

Gordon

ESA71

It is the best that you can do

It is still worth your looking at our claim guides, just to make sure you have not missed anything or misinterpreted one of the questions on the form.

I would include a covering letter with the ESA50 explaining what has happened and the conversations that you have had with the DWP, dates and times.

Let us know what happens if you can.

Gordon