New ESA CB claim

I'm applying for ESA on behalf of my mum. I previously claimed ESA for myself but the application was years ago and under very different circumstances, so I really need some help.

She has worked full-time for more than a decade so would presumably fall within the contribution-based category. Her statutory sick pay is going to end in 3 weeks but it's 6 weeks until she completes her chemo, then probably another 1-2 months recovery time before she can start work again (we expect part-time at first). She is still technically employed but hasn't worked since she was told she needed chemo around September/October (can't remember the exact date). Unfortunately they kept her waiting until December before she began treatment, hence the sick pay period not covering her until completion of chemo. We are hoping that she'll only need ESA for around 2-3 months, dependent on her recovery, so hopefully this will just be for the assessment phase - since she has a job to return to within several months, we are not expecting her to actually pass the assessment.

Questions I can't find the answer to:

- How do we determine if she has made enough contributions to claim ESA CB and is there a separate form for this, or just a general ESA application form with a tickbox for either CB or IB?

- Is it possible to complete a paper copy of the application form and if so, what is it called/where can we find it? I know they use the ESA50 to assess people but I can't figure out if there's a shorter application form to submit a new claim. Ideally we would like a link to print from and an address to post to (we live in Brighton) since I would prefer to not deal with the jobcentre and my mum is too unwell to travel there at the moment.

- Can you wait until the ESA50 and/or a face-to-face assessment to provide detailed medical evidence beyond a sick note? She has cancer (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) and COPD but her consultant is being difficult, ignoring requests for evidence or letters of support, and they would only be able to document the cancer side of things, not the COPD. She hasn't got the money to pay for a GP's letter; not to mention that she has recently moved surgeries and doesn't actually have a regular GP. So, will a sick note be enough? I don't know what to do if they need more.

- We live in Brighton where Universal Credit has now been introduced for single claimants (my mum is single). Does she need to claim UC, is it still possible to claim ESA CB, or does she actually need to claim both? I've read the ESA claim guide but am very confused. She is 60 years and 11 months old which may mean she can't apply for UC - I read elsewhere that the max. claimant age is 60 years and 6 months, but this information isn't consistent across different websites so I'm not sure if it's true or not. UC rules also seem to imply that you can't be a homeowner but she is, and she currently pays interest-only on three mortgages (all for the property she currently lives in, which is her only property).

- In addition to her mortgages, she pays council tax, service charges and ground rent. Other than council tax (I am familiar with the reduction scheme) I don't know how we apply for help with those things. I have read elsewhere that expenses for mortgage interest, service charges and ground rent can be claimed with ESA and/or UC - is this true?

We're in a hurry to claim since her sick pay ends soon - she has been very avoidant about gathering evidence for claims and her consultant is, like I said before, non compliant - so I'm trying to get things moving. But I honestly don't know where to begin. Please help!

(Mods: I posted earlier and it's still awaiting moderation, but I have since done more research and this post has more info - please approve this one. Thank you and sorry for any confusion.)

Sorry for not thanking you sooner.

We have now completed the ESA1 form and need to post it - am I correct in thinking, we need to pick the closest place to where she lives from this list? www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-dwp-postal-addresses

In this case, Brighton = Worthing? There's nowhere else on the list that's anywhere near her.

Thanks again.

Turns out, my mum posted her form to Worthing before waiting for me to confirm whether or not it was the correct address. The link you gave me suggests that we should have posted it to our local jobcentre in Brighton. I have used the Worthing address before when sending documents re. my previous ESA claim (and I live close to my mum) but am now worried her form might get lost, or delayed at the very least...

She posted it 1st class on Saturday, so do you think it would be a good idea to phone a general ESA/DWP call centre number around Friday to make sure they've received everything? And of so, can you please tell me which number would be best to use in this instance?

Sorry for being such a pain.