esa50

hello.i have been sent an esa 50 form to transfer me from incapacity onto esa.i have 3 questions.1.as a mental health claimant do i fill in the physical part one of the form?i have been given 2 contradictory answers by mind advisors.
i suffer from psychotic depression and ptsd which manifests physically.the first advisor wrote all my mental symptoms in the physical questions and the second advisor just ticked yes to all the physical tasks.

2 is it ok to admit to using alcohol and tobacco at times to control symptoms and distress?

3.i hav no family left and barely survive through support of friends. no support worker as such.will this count against me?

have to return form by august 3rd so urgent.

i have a 3rd clean form and am trying to fill it in myself with the help of this website.

thanks from golightly

Hi Golightly

Admitting to using alcohol and tobacco to control symptoms will not count against you, unless they control the symptoms so well that they are eliminated! Also if you have a problem with alcohol and this causes problems in the mental health test you should definitely state this.

Having to survive on your own shouldn't count against you. Unfortunately it may mean that your medical report will say more about you managing to complete daily activities on your own but case law does suggest that the test for ESA extends beyond essential tasks required by law or for survival.

I don't quite understand how your first advisor could write all your mental symptoms in the physical questions that ask about physical disability.

I would suggest that you look at the ESA claim guides (I know it's hard with the limited time you have) that you will find here . You need to complete the mental health questionnaire. You are unlikely to score points for physical health if your inability to carry out the physical activities is not the result of a specific physical disablement but if in doubt I would fill in the parts of the physical questionnaire in detail where you have difficulty.

Best of luck

Derek