ESA50 Again

Hi All,

The last time I was here was to tell you of my sucess in being awarded ESA support group without a medical.

Well after a mental break down I took myself off benefits, I know mad eh? but I wasn't in my right mind and had my liberty curtailed.

Roll on just over a year and I am going through the process of trying to get my benefits reinstated.

DLA funny enough was the easiest to do, all done an dusted in a few weeks.

However not so ESA, I have had to start all over again from scratch, which I understand so no problem there.

I know it has been noted on this site that the boxes for your replies have got smaller on the ESA50 form, not only that but they also expect you to write in all capitals.

Not to worry though, I will do what I did last time and use the interactive PDF claim form and fill it in that way and then everything will auto expand and allow me to enter all my text - not so! It would seem they have also restricted the amount of text you can now enter into the reply boxes, in some cases by a fair margin, this has resulted in me having to provide a number of extra sheets of information to go along with my printed out ESA50 form.

I am right in remembering that it is a good idea to send the ESA50 off via recorded delivery?

It also seems there is a different company doing this now as opposed to the last time I filled out and ESA50 so I am guessing I may not have such an easy ride this time, I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Also whats the story about having to give them a phone number? When my support worker rang them to start the ball rolling I was informed by the guy on the phone that I had to give the DWP my phone number, is this correct? I felt like I was being bullied so gave it to him

Anyway I will stop typing as I could go on for ever!

Bye for now.

Take care,

Keith

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks for your reply, it is greatly appreciated.

I will be sure to send the ESA50 form off by recorded delivery when I post it tomorrow.

Take care,

Keith

Well I have not heard anything about my ESA application as of yet and I am due to send in another fit note soon.

However in the post today I got a IS10 form (About claiming severe disability premium)

Does this mean that it is likely they have made a decision on ESA in my favor but the notification hasn't made it to me yet?

OK I am slightly confused now (which isn't hard for me )

My understanding from reading the Gov.uk website is that you would only be entitled to the premiums if you met all the criteria and were in the support group?

www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get

Can you clarify this for me and point me in the direction of where I can read up on this.

Many thanks