wrag to support without new form?

Is there any way in which ESA and DLA benefits can be reviewed and increased without filling in the dreadful forms? We have recently had very bad health news, motor neuron disease, and I believe myhusband should be moved to support group and receive a higher rate of DLA. There is no way we can face writing the detail of his very poor health state as we are having great dificuty in comng to terms with the diagnosis,

Magic wrote:

Is there any way in which ESA and DLA benefits can be reviewed and increased without filling in the dreadful forms? We have recently had very bad health news, motor neuron disease, and I believe myhusband should be moved to support group and receive a higher rate of DLA. There is no way we can face writing the detail of his very poor health state as we are having great dificuty in comng to terms with the diagnosis,

Hi,

One would need to complete the relevant forms from the DWP if asking for a supersession. It is highly doubtful the DWP would supersede a claim only on the strength of a letter etc only. Infact I have never known of a case where a letter only has sufficed unless a form had already been submitted and the letter is only to reinforce what is already on the application form.

Sadly if you are asking for a supercession of an existing award, the onus is on the claimant to provide the necessary evidence to justify an increased award. Thus this may entail long detailed answers on an application form.

However a couple of pointers which may help.

Is there a DIAL, CAB or Motor Neurone charity who maybe able to complete the forms on your behalf. Or even a relative or friend to do it at your dictation?.

There is an interactive ESA50 available on the DWP website, also if one has a pdf creator (such as Adobe Acrobat or pdf writer) then one could copy the DLA application form pdf document and complete it 'in type'.

If not, it is possible to type all answers onto 'continuity sheets' using 'MS Word' or similar to attach to the application form. Just make sure all answers given are boldly and visibly numbered to correspond to the questions on the form - also put your name and National Insurance number on every sheet also at the bottom number them 1 of x, 2 of x (where x is the total number of continuity sheets').

Failing that, one thing a colleague used to recommend (and I do nowadays) is to complete only one question per day. That way it does not 'over face' the claimant by being a whole form to complete all at once. Breaking it down into manageable chunks makes it easier to complete.

Sometimes you have to repeat yourself a number of times on the application forms as the same or similar answer can apply to a number of questions. In this case if done in type on a computer it is easy to copy and paste the relevant answer across to answer another question even if this needs to be slightly amended to fit the question.

Another tip, if typing answers always save a copy onto a CD/DVD disc, memory stick etc. That way, should you have need to complete the forms again in the future, providing the answers are still relevant it is easy to copy and paste them across. Copying them to CD etc means you will always have a copy of the answers you gave for the future even if you buy a new computer in the meantime.

I hope the above may help. Other members may have some other tips. Also do make use of the guides in the members area as those can be of help in making sure you only give the necessary information and not pages of information that could be irrelevant.

Pete

Thank you for your informed and detailed response. We have a MND nurse visiting next week and I may solicit her help. Sp pleased you are all there at these challenging times.

ESA50 landed today so will have to complete it. Am considering filling form in with husband, getting supportive letter from the neurologist who recently diagnosed MND and writing a note of how the disabilty has effected my husband. He is seeing other specialists but form has to be in for 19th of January and, with Xmas break, it may be difficult to gather support. I know that the system is dreadful but my husband is so fatigued, has been told he has a life limiting condition and that he is just going to get worse, I hope I do not have too much of a fight on my hands. I expect them to move him to the support group without any fuss. Am I being niave.

Magic wrote:

ESA50 landed today so will have to complete it. Am considering filling form in with husband, getting supportive letter from the neurologist who recently diagnosed MND and writing a note of how the disabilty has effected my husband. He is seeing other specialists but form has to be in for 19th of January and, with Xmas break, it may be difficult to gather support. I know that the system is dreadful but my husband is so fatigued, has been told he has a life limiting condition and that he is just going to get worse, I hope I do not have too much of a fight on my hands. I expect them to move him to the support group without any fuss. Am I being niave.

Hi M,

The only part of the process that you have control over, is the detailed completion of the ESA50, and the addition of any relevant information of how your husband should qualify for the SG by fulfilling the relevant descriptors, or exceptional circumstance, as mentioned in our ESA Claims Guides. (and a face to face assessment if required)

Any supportive medical evidence from treating HCP's can only help.

Once you have provided the above, the rest of course is down to ATOS, and the DWP Decision Maker.

Hopefully your husband will receive the correct award of ESA.

cheers

bro58

I am using interactive form on the computer and it is really helping. Thank you for the suggestion,
Magic