Just received my ESA50 03/11

I just received my ESA50 this morning. I am on the transfer from incapacity to this new ESA benefit. I have previously been studying the guides printed here. I was surprised to see the questions seem slightly different to the ones shown in the guide. Question 1 asks whether " you can move at least 50 metres before you need to stop? It gives the tick box answers of No, yes and It varies. There's nothing in the question about significant discomfort etc. In the following space it asks why you may have to stop? For example tiredness or discomfort. Have the questionnaires changed recently or have I just interpreted the guides wrongly?

RedDog
Buttress wrote:

I just received my ESA50 this morning. I am on the transfer from incapacity to this new ESA benefit. I have previously been studying the guides printed here. I was surprised to see the questions seem slightly different to the ones shown in the guide. Question 1 asks whether " you can move at least 50 metres before you need to stop? It gives the tick box answers of No, yes and It varies. There's nothing in the question about significant discomfort etc. In the following space it asks why you may have to stop? For example tiredness or discomfort. Have the questionnaires changed recently or have I just interpreted the guides wrongly?

Hi RD,

Are you sure you haven't read the ESA guides for the old WCA, as they are still in the ESA resources area.

The question you refer to is "Mobilising" as from March 2011, however it did change to 50 metres then also from 30.

If a question only gives options, Yes, No, or It Varies, tick the most appropriate box, then go into detail re pain and discomfort etc, in the box provided, or even add extra pages of information if needed.

bro58

Hi Bro58,

Thanks for your reply. I've rechecked all the most recent guides and the questionnaire has definitely changed. There is no mention on my form about being unable to repeatedly mobilise 50 metres or more. In fact, " mobilise " isn't mentioned at all. They use "move". I know it's the same thing but just to show the form has changed.
Crikey, I'm already stressed out and I haven't started writing yet!!

RedDog
Buttress wrote:

Hi Bro58,

Thanks for your reply. I've rechecked all the most recent guides and the questionnaire has definitely changed. There is no mention on my form about being unable to repeatedly mobilise 50 metres or more. In fact, " mobilise " isn't mentioned at all. They use "move". I know it's the same thing but just to show the form has changed.
Crikey, I'm already stressed out and I haven't started writing yet!!

Hi RDB,

I've just checked the ESA50 03/11, I assume you mean Page 6, part 1 physical functions, 1, moving around and using steps.

Even though it says moving around, it actually falls under the "mobilising" descriptor.

So don't get too stressed out, they say "Move" rather than just "walk" as it now includes the use of any aids, or a manual wheelchair unaided.

Hope this clarifies somewhat.

cheers

bro58

Hi RDB

I think you may be confusing the descriptors with the questions on the form.

The descriptors are under the heading: The descriptors: what the law says you score points for in the guide and show how it is worded in legislation and how the question needs to be interpreted.

The questions on the form are under the heading: Completing the questionnaire in the guide.

Hope this helps

Derek

I think that you are confusing what you can score, 15 pts for (unable to repeatedly mobilise 50 metres or more), and the actual question asked (move 50 metres). It is kind of confusing they do not ask you "repeatedly" (all though they should really) but rather expect you to provide the information.