ESA50/UC/

[whatsthestory123]

Hi,looking for some advice really

Well the dreaded ESA50 form has come through bang on time and now starting to panick with this and all the changes coming to the benefits system

bit of backgroung have been on ESA support group for 4 years
1ist time paper decision support group
2nd time last december interview given a year in support group
Bipolar/anxiety/atheritis one knee (am not under MH team now)but on anti phycotics and other MH meds

well the fomn came through today and started to panic one with the filling out though i will do this daily bit by bit as i have just under a month and got the last one copied so thats some help

the other is that ive convinced myself that i will fail and will have to go through the appeal system and end up on universal credit with a big loss which i use for a cleaner etc

anybody had any recent experience with the Esa,will i be moved to UC

any experiences or tips appreciated

Don't worry about failing right now, I know hoe dismissive that sounds as people say it to me as the forms send me over the edge everytime but it's true.

Have you downloaded the current PDF for it? There's on here assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/631921/esa-50-capability-for-work-questionnaire.pdf

Typing can be easier to prove your difficulties with a pen for example. Give as many examples as you can for everything. Using an electronic copy of the form you can cut and paste sections. Add extra information and treat them like they're no idea at all what you struggle with. There are guides online which will explain each descriptor and how they relate to illnesses.

Include a disability diary with an average day. If there's tablets that you could take and don't say why e.g. I can't have anti psychotics or antidepressants of higher doses of pain meds or if you've arthritis that's really bad why hasn't your joint been replaced (mine can't be due to illnesses/age).

I never send mine in their envelope as they only pay for the form and it can get lost, so I pay extra for special delivery.

My last one was over 50 pages altogether as I included copies of prescriptions and a GP letter. Not being under mh team might be an issue, but do you see primary care? Remember they're only interested in now which they term to be the last four weeks.

Finally, only if you fail and appeal and need income will you be transferred to universal credit and would stay on it whatever the outcome of your appeal, you can't go back to ESA. BUT At this point in time you havent failed and can spend as much time as needed doing the form fully - day by day would help.

thanks Becca,yes a bit day by day.i will have to be a written form as im not great with the pc and its a mind of its own sometimes

Agree i have always got it copied and signed for just in case

yes bit concerned as not under MH team,wasnt last year either but didnt seem to ??it but yes it concerns me,MH provision here is rubbish much like everywhere i guess

i have a couple of good friend that help me and just self manage really as ive learnt to do but the meds make a big differrence even with the side effects and my son lives with me and is a huge help

Fair enough with the written form, I suggest you don't just stick to the tiny boxes, there's never enough space to put all you need.

You'd need to meet the same criteria as last year to qualify unless they've changed that criteria again, do you know how you got into support group? As that's about very specific criteria and why it's so hard to get into.

Just remember its on your needs now on meds not before so your other form may not be much use for this application.

hi,yes i did ask for a copy of the medical but cant see if i fit a descriptor

all i can see is "the client meets the criteria for LCWWRA"then gives a long statement about what was said in the interview

You need to request a copy of the ESA56 form which is the decision makers form which must have everything filled out including why you are in support group. Unless that's the one you have and it's not been filled in properly. It'll have all the questions and what points you scored and then say why you were put into the support group e.g. Regulation 35 (I think it's 35 for being at risk yourself or to others if you worked).

This document has all the details in it for ESA www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa214-a-guide-to-employment-and-support-allowance-the-work-capability-assessment page 25 has the descriptors for support group.

thank you,mine says ESA85

if i ask for the points one i doubt it will come in time,im gonna have a look at the link

many thanks Becca

sorry is it based on points the medical or do you need to be in one of the descriptors

Request the form anyway tomorrow. Even if it doesn't come in time then at least if you get called for medical or, worst case scenario you need to appeal then you'll already have that one from your last application and it may help you. The one you have is from your face to face and their recommendations, they don't actually make the decision though the decision maker does and it's their report you need.

Support group isn't based on points it's based on meeting specific descriptors. I've had another look at the link I gave and I'm not sure it's up to date so I'm going to link to a forum which I think is more up to date which is here www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

many thanks will phone them tomorrow and request

well i phoned them and she kept insisting i needed the one ive already got

and she kept asking why i wanted it.after a bit of explaining just saying i had been advised she copied it,i asked her if i was under a descriptor she couldnt see it but said i had 15 points and was in the support group

lets hope it comes through in time

ive been having trouble with sweats etc,anyway my gp today said he thinks im going through the change,can i put the symptoms down on my form,i cant go on HRT because i recently had DVT and other factors so at the moment im putting up with side effect of it

many thanks

The only thing I can to that is that's a load of shit. You cannot get into support group on points alone.

I'm annoyed for you.

I hope it does come through in time, but keep going bit by bit in the meantime.

I'm going through menopause without hrt as well I know how tough it is. If you don't mind a suggestion, buy a hand fan (not battery operated) and a small bottle that sprays water to help cool you off. I find it helps me.

I put everything on my forms. Every bloody thing I struggle with regards of why! Why shouldn't matter so put everything you struggle with down!

I agree with PP. Take things one step at a time so atm completing the form. Remember to say how long it took you and whether that was due to physical and MH reasons if it is.

Look after yourself and don't be afraid to seek help with your health if you need it.
(Or if you have a friend or relative you can confide in let them know what is happening so they can keep an eye out in case your MH deteriorated and suggest you see doctor.

hi all,

hmm points that what i thought hope it comes through just to see what she was going on about,feel better today so started the form the illness box and meds on it is very full

yes i will be putting everything down thanks

good idea about a fan,seriously its 13c and sweat was bad today

becca as you also cant take HRT have you found anything else helps?

I take Menopace night which is basically vitamins which seems to help (on boots 3 for 2 not too bad about £14 for one month) aside from that nothing I'm afraid.

ive just started a thread about this,are the one's you take a bit like them pregacare )oh the irony lol)

do you mind me asking what symptons you get,i know you have medical problems and thats what i find hard eg is it the Menopause or my illness

You cannot get into support group on points alone.

Yes, you can. If you score 15 points in any one single category (not a cumulative amount) then you are placed in the support group. The descriptors you refer to attract points.

The most common way (at the moment) is without those specific descriptors which are extremely hard to get all 15 points for, they're much harder to get now than when that document was written.

I've had support group without those descriptors. It's called regulation 35 (i think) whereby work would be too dangerous for you or other people and over rules points. On points alone I wouldn't be in support group.

But yes if you can get all points in one area you can get support group, but it's almost impossible hence majority are in it due to that regulation.

I should have been more clear, sorry!!

Becca its arrived. cant believe so quick though still a little confused

6 pages but alot just nothing

ok

from what i can see.treated as having limited capability for work activity,will be placed in the support group

effect on benefit no change

the decision maker has decided that whatsthestory123has scored 15 points from the appropriate descriptors contained in schedule 2 of the regulations

the decision maker has proceeded wether she has lcwra,has decided that one or more of the descriptorscontained in schedule 3 apply to whatsthestory123

she there has lcwra under regulation 34

says i scored 15 points under mental cognitive and intellectual assessment under initiating actions

does that make ant sense

Regulation 34 was the one I was thinking of above, that superceeded the rest of it, that's to do with serious risk to you or others if made to do work activity. You also qualified for support group from the points given to some questions as well - like the mental, cognitive and intellectual question(s).

Ok so im guessing thats good so to speak dont know how else to explain

Im feeling calmer than when i first got the esa50 and am managing the form ok

Good I'm glad you're calmer. I hope it goes well for you. Don't forget you can always post here for support if struggling.

Thank you for all your help will probably keep the thread running,i know i will be back

Glad I was helpful.
Not glad you're going through it obviously.

You were and i know you have your own health worries to manage,thanks