Better to handwrite or use electronic ESA50?

Is it better to fill in my ESA50 form by hand or to type into the electronic PDF version and print it out?

Typing into the electronic version allows me to fit more info into the boxes but it looks very impersonal and doesn't seem to convey the human aspect of the claimant.

Which of handwritten or typed is more likely to get a favourable outcome?

I don't think there are any figures to tell us whether one is more likely to succeed than the other. If you use the electronic version it is easy to save a copy for next time but it is really up to you.

Hi F,

As long as the the content of the ESA50 and any supporting evidence is legible, whether the content is hand written or typed is really not important.

It is the content itself that is important.

As MHB says, the Pdf version is easier, and you are left with an exact copy.

Therefore, it is purely a matter of personal choice, taking into account any limitations with writing/typing that you may have.

bro58

Is there a clever way of adding additional tick boxes to the electronic form which the DWP have left out.

The advisory guide from this site says not to tick a box if it is misleading but and to add a new box if necessary. For example, there is no box for "All The Time" in ESA50 Q.13 "Starting and Finishing Tasks"

Should I say something in the large text box about why I didn't select any of their options. Or do I need to use one of their boxes to get some points?

Finni wrote: Is there a clever way of adding additional tick boxes to the electronic form which the DWP have left out.

The advisory guide from this site says not to tick a box if it is misleading but and to add a new box if necessary. For example, there is no box for "All The Time" in ESA50 Q.13 "Starting and Finishing Tasks"

Should I say something in the large text box about why I didn't select any of their options. Or do I need to use one of their boxes to get some points?

Hi F,

If you don't feel that the available tick box options are applicable to your own circumstances, you do not have to tick any of them.

Simply write something along the lines " None of the tick box options are applicable, please see further information below" (or on an added A4 if you need more space).

Then provide relevant details in the text box and/or added A4 sheets.

Make the ESA50 fit in with your own limitations rather than the other way round.

bro58