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How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?

  • comorant
  • Topic Author
11 years 9 months ago #88009 by comorant
Hi,

I'm in the process of making a new claim for ESA and filling in my ESA 1 form.

I understand from purchasing and reading the guide that you need to be as detailed as possible about your condition on the ESA 50 form so my question is how specific does the ESA 1 form need to be?

I'll be going to my doctor tomorrow to request a letter - will a letter rather than a short fit note give me a better chance of being successfully put into the support group?

Also, I understand that if a support worker (like CPN) helps you fill in your ESA 50, that will help your claim, esepcially if it is mental health so does the same apply to the ESA 1 form?

I've got clinical depression and OCD and the last time I was hospitalised and in care was 7 years ago. I got better but recently my problems have begun to resurface due to losing my job and the stress of having to deal with unfriendly job center advisors. It's gotten to the point where I'm not in any state at the moment to work.

It will take a while (months in some cases) to get referred to a CPN and psychologist on the NHS so I'm wondering whether to try and hold out until then (I'm not sure I'll be able to much longer) or just put in a claim now?

I've done a search on ESA 1 forms but the information I found pertained to ESA50 so mods please feel free to remove this if it has been answered elsewhere.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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11 years 9 months ago #88010 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?
The ESA1 form is just the initial application form to get things started. If this aplication is accepted you will be sent an ESA50 at a later date. Make sure you answer all the questions, but you dont need to go into a lot of medical detail at this stage.

You will need to continue providing 'fit notes' from your GP until a decision has been made about whether to give you ESA beyond the assessment phase.

When you come to fill in the ESA50, a letter from your GP showing where and how you meet the descriptors will be helpful.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • comorant
  • Topic Author
11 years 9 months ago #88016 by comorant
Replied by comorant on topic Re:How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?
Thanks for replying Mrs Hurtyback!

Just another question: The guide mentions not having to put a phone number down if you have trouble speaking to people on the phone, will this apply to the ESA 1 form?

Sorry if I'm being pedantic here but I'm quite nervous about the whole process (given ATOS's reputation).

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11 years 9 months ago #88017 by Crazydiamond
Replied by Crazydiamond on topic Re:How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?
Yes, you do not have to divulge your telephone number on the ESA1 form if you do not wish to do so.

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11 years 9 months ago #88018 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?
You do not need to enter your phone number on te ESA1 form if you do not wish to. However, you should be aware of two things.

Firstly, there might be times when it is actually in your interest to talk with someone from DWP.

Secondly, if DWP have your number (from previous encounters etc) they will probably ignore you and use it anyway!

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11 years 9 months ago #88019 by Crazydiamond
Replied by Crazydiamond on topic Re:How Detailed Does ESA 1 form need to be?
If a claimant wishes to speak to the DWP about their benefit claim, any telephone call should always be followed up in writing in case there is any dispute as to what has been said during the course of the conversation, which could have a material effect on the claim/entitlement.

If the DWP are already aware of a telephone number and contact a claimant by this method of communication, they are perfectly entitled to decline the call and insist that all enquiries are conducted in writing.

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