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Filling out an ESA50 form
- Lee
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5 years 5 months ago #220068 by Lee
Filling out an ESA50 form was created by Lee
Hi all, first post on this forum.
Yesterday I received the dreaded ESA50 questionnaire. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and I can remember just how traumatic the whole process was the last time I had to go through this. Since yesterday I have felt awful with the anticipation that it is about to start all over again.
I have subscribed to download the manual helping how to correctly fill in the form, and it is very helpful, but I do have a few queries that I was hoping people might be able to help me with.
11. Learning how to do tasks.
I am not sure whether to leave this blank and move on to question 12 because I am able to complete everyday household tasks, or whether it is relevant to write down how difficult it is for me to learn more complex things like driving or taking courses because of my condition.
I would find it almost impossible to take a driving lesson or test, or start a course or attend job interviews (because of my anxiety). Is this relevant to this question?
12. Awareness of hazards or danger
Again, I am unsure whether it would be relevant to state that, during a panic attack, my ability to make logical sense of the current situation can alter. For example, one of my worst panic attacks was on a broken down train (claustrophobia) - when I was told I couldn't get off the train for some fresh air I contemplated breaking a window to get out (I know, stupid). There is no way I would consider something like that in a normal situation, and being in a panic attack is the only time I have ever felt the need to damage property! Does this mean I need someone to stay with me most of the time to stay safe? No. But it might be relevant to the question?
13. Starting and finishing tasks
Again, I'm not sure whether it is revelant that I tend to procrastinate when arranging appointments with doctors/dentists etc... because of my condition. Example, I have been invited lay a wreath at a Remembrance Service next month because a family member died in WWII, but I keep putting off phoning someone to make a wreath because I am dreading the day itself. Is this relevant to the question?
14. Coping with changes
This one seems a bit strange as 14(b) (planned change) gets you 9 points while 14(c) (unplanned change) gets you 6 points - I find 14(c) more difficult to do than 14(b)!
What does 'coping' mean? The example given is if a train isn't running on time - could I cope? Well I can manage, but if it means I miss a connecting train or the last train home, my anxiety can go through the roof and make my day unbearable.
I will keep updating this thread as I go along - absolutely worried sick at the moment!
Yesterday I received the dreaded ESA50 questionnaire. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and I can remember just how traumatic the whole process was the last time I had to go through this. Since yesterday I have felt awful with the anticipation that it is about to start all over again.
I have subscribed to download the manual helping how to correctly fill in the form, and it is very helpful, but I do have a few queries that I was hoping people might be able to help me with.
11. Learning how to do tasks.
I am not sure whether to leave this blank and move on to question 12 because I am able to complete everyday household tasks, or whether it is relevant to write down how difficult it is for me to learn more complex things like driving or taking courses because of my condition.
I would find it almost impossible to take a driving lesson or test, or start a course or attend job interviews (because of my anxiety). Is this relevant to this question?
12. Awareness of hazards or danger
Again, I am unsure whether it would be relevant to state that, during a panic attack, my ability to make logical sense of the current situation can alter. For example, one of my worst panic attacks was on a broken down train (claustrophobia) - when I was told I couldn't get off the train for some fresh air I contemplated breaking a window to get out (I know, stupid). There is no way I would consider something like that in a normal situation, and being in a panic attack is the only time I have ever felt the need to damage property! Does this mean I need someone to stay with me most of the time to stay safe? No. But it might be relevant to the question?
13. Starting and finishing tasks
Again, I'm not sure whether it is revelant that I tend to procrastinate when arranging appointments with doctors/dentists etc... because of my condition. Example, I have been invited lay a wreath at a Remembrance Service next month because a family member died in WWII, but I keep putting off phoning someone to make a wreath because I am dreading the day itself. Is this relevant to the question?
14. Coping with changes
This one seems a bit strange as 14(b) (planned change) gets you 9 points while 14(c) (unplanned change) gets you 6 points - I find 14(c) more difficult to do than 14(b)!
What does 'coping' mean? The example given is if a train isn't running on time - could I cope? Well I can manage, but if it means I miss a connecting train or the last train home, my anxiety can go through the roof and make my day unbearable.
I will keep updating this thread as I go along - absolutely worried sick at the moment!
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- Gordon
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5 years 5 months ago #220073 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Filling out an ESA50 form
Lee
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
11. This is about your ability to learn tasks so your everyday day tasks are not relevant as you already know how to do them, however, this is not aimed at the complex tasks that you mentioned, it is more fundamental to this such as whether you can understand how to set a washing machine for a particular programme.
12. This activity is about not being fully aware of the danger that everyday things such as boiling water and sharp knives pose. To score points, you need to show that:
• you are at risk of hurting yourself or other people or damaging things;
• the risk is caused by not realising dangers rather than realising them but not being able to avoid them
13. I think you will need to provide more of a reason than procrastination, your problems with starting and/or finishing a task must be related to your conditions, as an example; someone with OCD might have problems in this area due to their rituals.
14. So coping with change means it not having a physical or mental effect on your health, so it is not missing a train connection but rather, as an example, having a panic attack as a result of a change being forced on you.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
11. This is about your ability to learn tasks so your everyday day tasks are not relevant as you already know how to do them, however, this is not aimed at the complex tasks that you mentioned, it is more fundamental to this such as whether you can understand how to set a washing machine for a particular programme.
12. This activity is about not being fully aware of the danger that everyday things such as boiling water and sharp knives pose. To score points, you need to show that:
• you are at risk of hurting yourself or other people or damaging things;
• the risk is caused by not realising dangers rather than realising them but not being able to avoid them
13. I think you will need to provide more of a reason than procrastination, your problems with starting and/or finishing a task must be related to your conditions, as an example; someone with OCD might have problems in this area due to their rituals.
14. So coping with change means it not having a physical or mental effect on your health, so it is not missing a train connection but rather, as an example, having a panic attack as a result of a change being forced on you.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Lee
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5 years 5 months ago #220170 by Lee
Replied by Lee on topic Filling out an ESA50 form
Hi Gordon, thanks for your advice.
Further questions -
14. I do struggle to cope with changes to my everyday life, but in the manual provided by this site it suggests that if I turn up to a medical alone I would be unlikely to score points. This is surely unfair, as my circumstances are completely the opposite - going somewhere alone reduces my anxiety, whereas taking someone with me would increase my anxiety.
15. Another upside-down one for me - 15(b) and 15(c) both talk about 'without being accompanied by another person' - this doesn't make sense in my case as being accompanied by another person increases my anxiety. Therefore I would be ineligible for points because the nature of my condition doesn't fit with what the DWP think?
Exceptional circumstances - Having seen how slim my chances are with scoring points because of the issues I have raised, I think my only chance would be through the exceptional circumstances talked about on page 16-17 of your guide. I would like to know, how do I go about giving myself the best chance by this option - where on the questionnaire do I bring it up? Or would it be something for an appeal?
Further questions -
14. I do struggle to cope with changes to my everyday life, but in the manual provided by this site it suggests that if I turn up to a medical alone I would be unlikely to score points. This is surely unfair, as my circumstances are completely the opposite - going somewhere alone reduces my anxiety, whereas taking someone with me would increase my anxiety.
15. Another upside-down one for me - 15(b) and 15(c) both talk about 'without being accompanied by another person' - this doesn't make sense in my case as being accompanied by another person increases my anxiety. Therefore I would be ineligible for points because the nature of my condition doesn't fit with what the DWP think?
Exceptional circumstances - Having seen how slim my chances are with scoring points because of the issues I have raised, I think my only chance would be through the exceptional circumstances talked about on page 16-17 of your guide. I would like to know, how do I go about giving myself the best chance by this option - where on the questionnaire do I bring it up? Or would it be something for an appeal?
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- Gordon
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5 years 5 months ago #220182 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Filling out an ESA50 form
Lee
14. This is about your ability to cope with change, not any anxiety you would have attending with someone. The argument is that it reasonable to assume that if you can cope with the journey, perhaps dealing with catching a bus or a train. organising yourself to leave on time, ensuring that leave on time to arrive in time for the appointment, etc., then you can't have problems dealing with changes to your routine.
15. I'm afraid this is what the Descriptor is, I'm afraid you can't re-interpret it for your problems.
The MH guide covers the requirements for the Exceptional Circumstances criteria in some detail but in short, you will need to show that one or more of your conditions place you at substantial risk of harm or of harm to others if you were required to work (WRAG) or carry out Work Related Activity (SG). You will need up to date medical evidence to support what you are saying.
Gordon
14. This is about your ability to cope with change, not any anxiety you would have attending with someone. The argument is that it reasonable to assume that if you can cope with the journey, perhaps dealing with catching a bus or a train. organising yourself to leave on time, ensuring that leave on time to arrive in time for the appointment, etc., then you can't have problems dealing with changes to your routine.
15. I'm afraid this is what the Descriptor is, I'm afraid you can't re-interpret it for your problems.
The MH guide covers the requirements for the Exceptional Circumstances criteria in some detail but in short, you will need to show that one or more of your conditions place you at substantial risk of harm or of harm to others if you were required to work (WRAG) or carry out Work Related Activity (SG). You will need up to date medical evidence to support what you are saying.
Gordon
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