reusing a previous application as a template

Hi there,
That time of year again, I hate how mine ends up around Christmas, it really spoils it for me

This time last year I received my form to fill in for ESA, so I'm expecting another one shortly. The majority of my illnesses haven't changed, though I've recently had a change in treatment and medication. So my question is. Can I re-use what I put on my last form as a template, with the inclusion of any changes to condition or treatment. Or do they check previous forms to compare them?

I don't want it to go against me if I re-use the exact words. I have OCD and a plethora of other mental health problems, which means I find filling in the form extremely distressing and pain painstakingly time consuming due to my perfectionism. I've been worrying about it for the past 3 months. I submitted 14 typed up a4 pages for my last form, which took 5 weeks. Anything to make it easier such as reusing some of the content I wrote would be a bonus; I’d obviously remove or change anything that isn't relevant any more.

I have been thinking of coming off ESA just so I don't have to go through the whole application each year (I guess this is what the government are hoping for), I think my health would be improved so much more just down to that alone, but I wouldn't like to put the strain on family having to support me so I'm undecided on the idea.

Hope someone can get back to me on this, I'm sure I've seen it covered on the forum sometime last year but I can't seem to find anything now.

Best Wishes

Thanks Gordon. I don't use the phone so is it ok for someone to call them on my behalf? Do you know if they would be able to say on the phone when its due, or would I have to wait for them to send the ESA85A out to me? Calling them wouldn't somehow trigger an assessment that's not yet due would it? I'm always worried about things like that.

I'm guessing its due now just because it's been 12month. Before on Incapacity/IS I went 4 years without an assessment so it would be great if that was still the case. But with how things are going with the current governments stance on welfare benefits, I highly doubt it

Thanks again for your help!

Thanks Gordon,
We tried calling the Job centre plus tonight but they cut us off at 6pm, was on hold for 30minutes too! Will have to try again tomorrow.

Do you know what date they go off for the assessment? If it was 12 month would it be 12 month from the date the benefit started/the report was done (20th December in my case), or 12 month from the date you get the esa50 form (8th October).

Is it possible to find out how much I scored on each of the categories or does this come with the ESA85A report?

Sorry for all the questions! We'll try calling again tomorrow and if we can't get through ill write a letter as you suggested.

Thanks again!