Help ESA50 arrived today but Doctor on holiday

[stigofthedump]

Hi, I am hoping for guidance or help in starting to fill the ESA50 form out. But I have three problems, my main consultant is on holiday for two weeks, my welfare advisor has a signed mandate to contact my Consultant ( my current GO knows little about me - just issues prescriptions) and finally I am supposed to go on holiday to my sister at her caravan on Isle of wight for next 2 weeks. The form has to be sent back by 28th Sept and I do not come home until 21st Sept - my sister feels there is no point staying at home worrying when my hospital consultant is also away.

 

My disability / illness has a stigma & discrimination associated with it so reluctant to mention it on here but I don't know how to start filling in the ESA50 now then emailing it to my welfare rights specialist. The timing is just bad and I am sick with worry. I am from London but moved to Glasgow in 2004 after being forced out of work due to ill health.

 

Any guidance would be appreciated. THANK YOU

 

IB migration to ESA

Edited August 28, 2013 by stigofthedump

[SWLABR9]

There's a guide to filling it in here http://ilegal.org.uk/thread/7372/interactive-guide-completion-new-esa?page=1&scrollTo=18541 which you could look at.

[stigofthedump]

There's a guide to filling it in here http://ilegal.org.uk/thread/7372/interactive-guide-completion-new-esa?page=1&scrollTo=18541 which you could look at.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention this is migration from IB to ESA - I knew it would happen one day but its freaked me out

[stigofthedump]

There's a guide to filling it in here http://ilegal.org.uk/thread/7372/interactive-guide-completion-new-esa?page=1&scrollTo=18541 which you could look at.

 

Thank you , I found this yesterday and it has given me a headache - it seems very complex but just looking at question 1 confuses me and I don't know how to begin to write things and there is not much space - my medical history is complex enough what with medication side effects and how debilitating the illness can be

[RaeUK]

Just take your time. It doesn't matter if your Consultant is on holiday as any evidence they might be able to provide can be sent off separately to the DWP. Use as much detail as possible. It doesn't matter if there isn't enough space as you can attach as many extra pages as you wish.

Don't forget you can also attach a copy of your prescription.

[SWLABR9]

You'll need help then. If the worst comes to the worst you'll have to send the forms back late with an explanatory note that due to the complexities of your condition you're unable to fill in the forms without assistance. I don't guarantee the DWP will willingly accept that but I don't see anything else you can do.

[stigofthedump]

Just take your time. It doesn't matter if your Consultant is on holiday as any evidence they might be able to provide can be sent off separately to the DWP. Use as much detail as possible. It doesn't matter if there isn't enough space as you can attach as many extra pages as you wish.

Don't forget you can also attach a copy of your prescription.

 

I get some prescriptions from GP and other delivered by the hospital as GP not allowed to deal with these so don't have a worded prescription - DWP /ATOS will not know sideeffects?

[stigofthedump]

You'll need help then. If the worst comes to the worst you'll have to send the forms back late with an explanatory note that due to the complexities of your condition you're unable to fill in the forms without assistance. I don't guarantee the DWP will willingly accept that but I don't see anything else you can do.

 

The sticky ESA50 is closed and not the same as the paper one. Is there an up to date one ? Also I cannot open the word doc and it mentions - metal health update to follow? Sorry I already feel awkward asking these questions.

[RaeUK]

Don't be afraid to be imaginative. List your medication and side effects. You could enclose a photocopy of the leaflet that comes with the medication or you could probably download information online and include that. It's up to the DWP to sort the wheat from the chaff and, in my experience, the more you can send the better.

The DWP will be quite aware of medications and side effects. Also have a look at the DWP A to Z of medical conditions. It won't hurt, you can find it here.

[RaeUK]

Oh, don't feel awkward. Most people on here care, many have gone through what you're going through - and none of us know who you are anyway!

[45002]

There also this to read

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?316210-ESA50-Guide

[stigofthedump]

There also this to read

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?316210-ESA50-Guide

 

Thanks for your reply - I am not able to open the word doc, not sure why. Also does this include the mental health update - can you type the ESA form? my handwriting is very poor now and I get pains holing a pen.

[stigofthedump]

Oh, don't feel awkward. Most people on here care, many have gone through what you're going through - and none of us know who you are anyway!

 

Thank you Rae, being a single guy living in Glasgow doesn't help - there are some very anti English near me let alone my sexuality - Ive been abused in shop and I the street so don't go out much just rely on my fiends who moved up here - one was my original carer and still does a lot for me. Ive moved three times had mud eggs bottles and graffiti on my house - if you fight back or get police involved you only make matters worse - the police do not help. Im ok where I live now but don't take any risks...........sorry babbling on

[antone]

Thanks for your reply - I am not able to open the word doc, not sure why. Also does this include the mental health update - can you type the ESA form? my handwriting is very poor now and I get pains holing a pen.

 

Do you get any type of error when attempting to open the word doc?

 

With regard to the mental health section, unfortunately Leemack, who wrote the sticky guide, has been unable to return to complete it due to her own health condition.

[stigofthedump]

Do you get any type of error when attempting to open the word doc?

 

With regard to the mental health section, unfortunately Leemack, who wrote the sticky guide, has been unable to return to complete it due to her own health condition.

 

Hi Antone, I get regular problems with word docs and pdf - I get open or save or both but nothing happens - this is a new laptop with windows 8 IE10 and its a pain - a friend who is a paid member of another site is sending me something on mental healh but will not know how useful it is until I read it but - my memory and understanding impairment isn't a good guide to whats good or bad.

 

Do you know of any word formatted ESA50 form that can be downloaded? Its mentioned on another site but no link to it and im hopeless at googling

[stigofthedump]

Hi Antone, I get regular problems with word docs and pdf - I get open or save or both but nothing happens - this is a new laptop with windows 8 IE10 and its a pain - a friend who is a paid member of another site is sending me something on mental healh but will not know how useful it is until I read it but - my memory and understanding impairment isn't a good guide to whats good or bad.

 

Do you know of any word formatted ESA50 form that can be downloaded? Its mentioned on another site but no link to it and im hopeless at googling

 

Don't know if this is helfull or allowed to be posted on here - is it against rules

http://olanasfogblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/olanas-10-step-guide-to-esa50.html

[antone]

Don't know if this is helfull or allowed to be posted on here - is it against rules

http://olanasfogblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/olanas-10-step-guide-to-esa50.html

 

No, that's fine to post here. I just have to add the standard disclaimer that CAG didn't produce this guide and can't be responsible for any inaccuracy in its contents.

[RaeUK]

With regard to opening documents, are you downloading them as opposed to opening on the screen? It does happen quite fast and before you know it the message has disappeared and the things lurking somewhere on your laptop. Fortunately, I know which file my downloads go to automatically and can locate the docs. Check wherever yours go to on your laptop.

[**Margaret**]

:stigofthedump:

 

Your sister's right. No point losing a perfectly good holiday for an ESA50. Your consultant's contribution can be sent after the ESA50. One copy to the return address for the ESA50 and one copy to your benefit centre. Both copies headed up with your national insurance number.

 

If your welfare rights adviser can't see you next week, you'll need to start completing the ESA50 yourself. There's plenty of help on CAG and other sites, and there's a version you can type onto (or just print off extra copies for practice) at;

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa-50-limited-capability-for-work-questionnaire

 

:leemack:'s guide, when you finally manage to access it, is slightly dated cos she wrote it for the 03/11 version of the questionnaire but it's still relevant for the 01/13 version. And there's a guide to the mental health part, with some tips about supportive evidence at;

 

https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/work-capability-assessment

 

In my opinion not returning an ESA50 by the due date (and pref by recorded delivery) can cause extra problems. But should it be delayed, there's a space on page 17 to explain why you couldn't cope without help from a welfare rights adviser.

 

Go into as much detail as possible about the effects of your condition(s). Cos of X, can't do Y, with descriptions of what happens day to day. For example, cos of heart disease I can't walk to the bus stop to get a bus to the hospital so a friend takes me in his car.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[SWLABR9]

I agree with what Margaret says but I get the impression from the OP they won't be able to do that alone. Am I right, Stig?

[stigofthedump]

:stigofthedump:

 

Your sister's right. No point losing a perfectly good holiday for an ESA50. Your consultant's contribution can be sent after the ESA50. One copy to the return address for the ESA50 and one copy to your benefit centre. Both copies headed up with your national insurance number.

 

If your welfare rights adviser can't see you next week, you'll need to start completing the ESA50 yourself. There's plenty of help on CAG and other sites, and there's a version you can type onto (or just print off extra copies for practice) at;

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa-50-limited-capability-for-work-questionnaire

 

:leemack:'s guide, when you finally manage to access it, is slightly dated cos she wrote it for the 03/11 version of the questionnaire but it's still relevant for the 01/13 version. And there's a guide to the mental health part, with some tips about supportive evidence at;

 

https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/work-capability-assessment

 

In my opinion not returning an ESA50 by the due date (and pref by recorded delivery) can cause extra problems. But should it be delayed, there's a space on page 17 to explain why you couldn't cope without help from a welfare rights adviser.

 

Go into as much detail as possible about the effects of your condition(s). Cos of X, can't do Y, with descriptions of what happens day to day. For example, cos of heart disease I can't walk to the bus stop to get a bus to the hospital so a friend takes me in his car.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

thanks Margaret - my sister sent me some stuff off B&W site but that is out of date - im more worried about the consultants help - ive seen a few and don't know who has copies of what regards Stig

[stigofthedump]

I agree with what Margaret says but I get the impression from the OP they won't be able to do that alone. Am I right, Stig?

 

Yes your right - When I was in London I had good support but then I was under the DS1500 category in 1997 but still here in 2013 - Just got a prescription for a new med for incontinence as botox intervention has not worked - my GP and pharmacist has never heard of it as its new so its a special order. I am on 32 different tablets a day - a lot send my mind off and I get long periods of absences and have short term memory loss so I can loose a big part of my day to nowhere. Ive tried keeping a diary but its a mess as I forget things and stuff. Banned from kitchen as well lol my pals do everything for me but then I only eat once a day and cannot drink anything that irritates my bladder - also have sideeffects which cause problems at both ends............and fall off toilet a lot - seem to drift off then bang my head. Everyone just thinks Im clumsey

[stigofthedump]

I think ive read too much on internet and so many conflicting stories - im in overload and want to bury my head

[SWLABR9]

Best not to worry till you're back from holiday

[RaeUK]

From what you've said so far, you really have nothing to worry about with ESA.