Filling in esa form

25% ME Group wrote:

So - would it be better:

to return the form within the specified period, even if incomplete, including notification that too ill to complete all the questions within the alloted period?

or

to return the form late but thoroughly completed, with reason why late

Please read the ESA claim guide that gives advice on missed deadlines.

My partner required help from the CAB to complete the ESA form, they could not help us until after date due back. We spoke to DWP, twice and they said no problem! Rubbish, they have stopped our ESA and it will probably, maybe get backdated etc due to our reason for late submission, free school meals have been stopped, will need to reclaim. They misinformed us. We were fools to believe DWP, do everything in writing and get everything confirmed in writing, whenever possible.

I’m also about to fill the dreaded ESA50 form in for my 20 year old son who has severe speech problems and learning difficulties and not able to do so himself.

I’m aware on the back of the form it asks if you’ve filled the form in for somebody else, then state why.

My question is when I’m actually filling the form in do I do so in the first or third person mode, should I be the one explaining his disability or do so as if my son is the one completing it himself.

Regards
Steve

If he has severe speech and learning difficulties you have to complete the form for him explaining on his behalf when he is not capable of doing it himself.
You can explain in the other information section.

Hi Steve

It shouldn't make any difference what tense you use, but I would prefer to use the first person tense, as though your Son is writing it. Otherwise the wording appears as though you are giving your opinion of your Son's disability rather than your Son's, although that would obviously not be the case.

Good luck

Derek

Thanks for the advice.

The form is a trial run for me as I’m going to eventually have to fill one in for my wife who I’ve been looking after for the last 15 years and has MS, as at the moment we’re still on income support.

Although I’ve been caring for both my wife and son the government will only let you claim carers allowance for one person, but as their doing away with carers allowance I’m not too sure at this stage what I’ll be able to claim, but I’ll cross that hurdle later.

Thanks again

Kind regards
Steve