ESA50 Going out question

Lady_in_bed wrote:

Hi there,

I am confused. I'm trying to fill in the ESA50 as an IB to ESA application.

On question 15 of 'Going out' it asks

Can you leave home and go out to places you
know if someone goes with you?
Y, N, or It varies

Can you leave home on your own and go to
places you don’t know?
Usually, Not very often, It varies

What a stupid choice of tick boxes or is it just me? I would want to select No for the 2nd question but there is no option to, not of them suit me. there should be a no option on there surely, could this be a miss print?

Hi,
Im currently filling out my ESA form & came across this problem too... I decided to tick 'Not Very Often', as there wasn't the option of 'No' - but in the box I've written - "I would like to state, I've had to tick "not very often", as there was no other option for me. I would have ticked "No", as that is the true answer, but that option wasn't available"
I then continued writing about my difficulties (which is severe agoraphobia & other things)..... I felt that I had to tick a box, but explain my reasons, instead of leaving the boxes unticked.
Have to say, the stress this ESA process is causing me is immense
Really hope this has helped a little...
Best wishes, Debra x

Hi Gordon,

I still think its a printing error that they havent bothered to change, to me it looks like they got the tick boxes swapped around by mistake, as if you cant go out with someone you know how could you go out alone.
Which 2 support group descripters are not referred to on the essa50 Gordon? I thought there were some missing!

I checked the guide again and still couldnt find any reference to the actual 2nd question in that one but I was reading the guide again last night while filling in a bit more of the form and noticed there was a mention about this kind of set of tick boxes, I think on pg29 although it wasnt specifically about this particular one.

It might be helpful to note in the guide on that question that it is a confusing tick box set just as you have on pg29 and suggest altering the form and state why in the box below. Even though its mentioned earlier some people may not see it like I didn't which lead me to the forum to ask

The guides are very helpful and very thoughtfully done. No wonder it took so long to do them there is so much to go through with the new ESA, so much confusion, but you have done a great job.
I have to admit though that I filled in all the DLA forms myself twice with no help from anyone, just searched the net for information and never thought I would get it but amazingly I did. I like to do things myself. BUT this time I felt it necessary to join here as a member because with the benefits system being in such turmoil if there was ever a time I needed to join its now.
The guides are in one place and this has to cut down on at least some of the stress this process causes. I'm trying to keep calm but I have no idea what the outcome is going to be with my ib/is/sda transfer to esa, I am not confident at all of it being successful but I just have to try and get by each day at a time

I am preparing to request a home assessment on the ESA50 if I have to have one, I really don't know what I will do if they refuse. I don't want to ask my dr for a back up letter because she just offers me diasipan to take if I need to go out which I don't want to do as this makes me very sick and dizzy and I have nightmares. Agoraphobia isnt my only problem, I have other conditions on top

I have felt my health deteriorating though since this re assessment started. I'm trying to get the form finished and posted because if I end up in hospital it wont get done

If I end up losing ESA completely or get put in the wrag group will I lose the sda and disability premium too?
and if I end up in the wrag group what will happen after a year? will I still be able to stay in the wrag group if my finances are less than 16k? or do I lose esa completely after 12 months?

Mod edit: Although this post has been approved, can you please ensure future posts are considerably shorter in both length and content.

It is very difficult to get a home visit for the WCA, you really do need to try and get backing from your GP or consultant.

After 12 months in the WRAG your beneift will stop if your savings/income are too high for income related benefit. this is a partner who works more than 24 hours per week and/or earns more than about £150 per week. You also lose entitlement with £1600 savings, although ESA would be reduced on a sliding scale if you had more than £6000.

Thanks Mrs Hurtyback

Sorry for the long post before, I'll keep it in check in future

What would happen to the sda if I get put into the wrag group? will that go too?

I had a nasty moment there - my comp crashed and I couldn't get back into the site!

I'm afraid that I am not au fait with the premiums, hopefully someone will be along soon to help.