In a panic - ESA 50 form

Hi all

Sorry if similar posts are out there. Having a major M.E brain fog so can't go through search results.

I have to get my ESA 50 form filled out & sent back by 7th September & I haven't even started it yet! Have M.E the past few weeks have had a big setback with more physical symptoms which have had a knock on effect mentally. Not even been able to get myself to the GP to find out what's going on. At the moment I just can't take anything in so even though I've become a member I can't process any of the information...took me an hour to do this post ...I can't even remember what I did yesterday!

I'm really starting to fret now though because I have under 2 weeks left! There's no guarantee that I'll improve enough mentally in time to be able to tackle it. It's just so daunting & I'm really scared that I'm gonna do it wrong & get kicked off ESA then have to appeal...I just don't think I have it in me. I also have to get my mortgaged home packed ready for repossession & move into a rented house by the end of September.

I know if I get put on Jobseekers Allowance I won't even be able to make it all the way to the Jobcentre to sign so I'd be kicked off that...will have no income to even eat, won't be able to get housing benefit so will be homeless. Stress doesn't help my illness but it just feels like my life has fallen apart & I'm fast running out of options. Just want to cry but don't even have the energy for that. Just wish I had energy so I could work

Any help or advice would be amazing right now. Phoned Citizens Advice in Oldham & will have to go to the walk-in centre but can't get there.

Sorry that this is such a negative, whiny post.

Thanks in advance x

Can you work through it just a little bit at a time? Maybe if you download the online version and fill in little bits throughout the day? Don't forget, you don't have to do it in sequence, you can answer the easier questions on your worse days and vice-versa.

Is there any other sort of support or advocacy group locally? Or even a friend you know who could help?

I hope that you can manage to do the form.

Hi flutterby, try doing what Survivor has suggested.

On my first attempt I got my personal details down.

Second time I ticked boxes that definately didn't apply to me.

Tonight I am going to try and fill one more part in.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Rachel

That's what I'm doing, a bit each day, is all I can do.

I do understand how hard it is as ME/CFS is one of the chronic conditions I have.

As others have said do a little bit at a time, even if it is just two minutes and then go back and do another two minutes, using the online version of the form is also much easier too.

Do you have anyone who can help you? Even fill it in for you? They could type/write what you tell them to?