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- Gentle
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7 years 9 months ago #161884 by Gentle
New to ESA was created by Gentle
Hello,
My mother has recently been taken off JSA and informed she needs to apply for ESA as she has suffered severe depression since my fathers passing in March this year.
I scored her more than 15 points on the ESA descriptors test.
Some of the things I am hoping to clarify are:
1) Evidence
To satisfy ANY descriptor, is evidence a must, either from the GP or a specialist report or medication, or would a "observation" from the examiner be sufficient for some of them?
The only evidence at this time will be the ESA113 the GP will fill, current sick note and 2 x prescription for anti depressants.
Are there any other steps she can take to obtain more evidence?
2) ESA1 form
Part 3 says "Please give brief details of your illness or disability" - it says brief, but do I actually provide as much detail as possible, including impact to daily life, tasks etc.
3) Back dating:
JSA stopped last week, if I submit the ESA1 form next week and ask for a back date slightly is that ok? she has a sick note covering the next 6 weeks.
Sorry for the long post, this process is all abit daunting.
My mother has recently been taken off JSA and informed she needs to apply for ESA as she has suffered severe depression since my fathers passing in March this year.
I scored her more than 15 points on the ESA descriptors test.
Some of the things I am hoping to clarify are:
1) Evidence
To satisfy ANY descriptor, is evidence a must, either from the GP or a specialist report or medication, or would a "observation" from the examiner be sufficient for some of them?
The only evidence at this time will be the ESA113 the GP will fill, current sick note and 2 x prescription for anti depressants.
Are there any other steps she can take to obtain more evidence?
2) ESA1 form
Part 3 says "Please give brief details of your illness or disability" - it says brief, but do I actually provide as much detail as possible, including impact to daily life, tasks etc.
3) Back dating:
JSA stopped last week, if I submit the ESA1 form next week and ask for a back date slightly is that ok? she has a sick note covering the next 6 weeks.
Sorry for the long post, this process is all abit daunting.
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7 years 9 months ago #161898 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic New to ESA
Gentle
Welcome to Benefits and Work
To answer your questions.
1. Providing evidence is always better than not, but you can only provide what you have. Just make sure that you fully explain your mother's problems in performing the ESA activities that are relevant to her, there's a formula in the ESA Claim guides for answering that I recommend that you follow.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa
2. The ESA1 is simply the claim form for ESA, you do not need to go into detail about your mother's problems in order for a claim to be made, once it is accepted then she will receive an ESA50 to complete and it is this that should be completed in detail.
3. You can backdate her ESA to the day after her JSA was closed, but the period needs to be covered by a Fit Note for it to be accepted.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to Benefits and Work
To answer your questions.
1. Providing evidence is always better than not, but you can only provide what you have. Just make sure that you fully explain your mother's problems in performing the ESA activities that are relevant to her, there's a formula in the ESA Claim guides for answering that I recommend that you follow.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa
2. The ESA1 is simply the claim form for ESA, you do not need to go into detail about your mother's problems in order for a claim to be made, once it is accepted then she will receive an ESA50 to complete and it is this that should be completed in detail.
3. You can backdate her ESA to the day after her JSA was closed, but the period needs to be covered by a Fit Note for it to be accepted.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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7 years 9 months ago #161949 by pat
Replied by pat on topic New to ESA
I recently had to do the same. My doctor would backdate the sick note if I had been seen by her previously. There may not be any need though because my esa was backdated 7 days before date on sick note because you can self certify or first 7 days.
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7 years 6 months ago #169904 by Gentle
Replied by Gentle on topic New to ESA
My mother was put in the support group today without an assessment. As I understand this was because her GP had provided information which was sufficient to make a decision with.
I had a few follow up questions
1) I did not see a date for how long this award was given in this letter. Does that come at a later date?
2) The GP provided information to them, how can I get a copy of that with the report/decision.
3) I had a chat with a benefits adviser, who mentioned my mother can also apply for PIP. Is there any gotchya's when applying after ESA is awarded? Both on the basis of mental health.
Thank you B&W, Gordon and all the mods for the help and support. Couldn't have done the ESA form without you!
I had a few follow up questions
1) I did not see a date for how long this award was given in this letter. Does that come at a later date?
2) The GP provided information to them, how can I get a copy of that with the report/decision.
3) I had a chat with a benefits adviser, who mentioned my mother can also apply for PIP. Is there any gotchya's when applying after ESA is awarded? Both on the basis of mental health.
Thank you B&W, Gordon and all the mods for the help and support. Couldn't have done the ESA form without you!
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7 years 6 months ago #169923 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic New to ESA
Gentle
Congratulations on your mother's award.
1. ESA is an indefinite award with regular reassessment. If your mother phones or writes to the DWP that deals with her claim and asks what the prognosis from her assessment was then this will give her an idea when they will contact her again.
2. She can ask the DWP for a copy or her GP surgery
3. They are separate benefits, there is some crossover but on the whole the criteria are different, have a look at our PIP Claim guide for more information.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
Gordon
Congratulations on your mother's award.
1. ESA is an indefinite award with regular reassessment. If your mother phones or writes to the DWP that deals with her claim and asks what the prognosis from her assessment was then this will give her an idea when they will contact her again.
2. She can ask the DWP for a copy or her GP surgery
3. They are separate benefits, there is some crossover but on the whole the criteria are different, have a look at our PIP Claim guide for more information.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gentle
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- Gentle
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7 years 5 months ago #171449 by Gentle
Replied by Gentle on topic New to ESA
Thanks Gordon.
I called DWP to ask for a copy of the paperwork and they sent me the completed ESA85A.
The form states the decision is based on evidences "Med 3" and "113" and "Report from 10-08-16" this date is roughly when they received the completed ESA50, i'm not certain it is in reference to the ESA50.
Is it reasonable to ask for ALL 3 of these evidences? DWPs discretion or our right?
Regards
Gentle
I called DWP to ask for a copy of the paperwork and they sent me the completed ESA85A.
The form states the decision is based on evidences "Med 3" and "113" and "Report from 10-08-16" this date is roughly when they received the completed ESA50, i'm not certain it is in reference to the ESA50.
Is it reasonable to ask for ALL 3 of these evidences? DWPs discretion or our right?
Regards
Gentle
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