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esa renewal, supporting evidence
- sarahh
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11 years 4 weeks ago - 11 years 4 weeks ago #101242 by sarahh
esa renewal, supporting evidence was created by sarahh
Hello, I would be very grateful for any advice on this topic. I was placed in the support group for ESA last April, without a medical,after filling in an esa50 form [migrating me from income support to esa] . I have just received another esa50 form to fill in. Last time I sent 3 pieces of supporting evidence, a letter from my carer, one from my GP, [which I have requested again] and one from my Occupational Therapist. When I contacted her for a letter this time, she informed me that she would be unable to do this as she was going on maternity leave that very day. She suggested that I send a copy of the old letter, dated April last year, and make a note on it explaining these circumstances, and that the information in the letter was still just as relevant, and that she was still willing for me to put her name on the form [even though atos would not be able to contact her as she is away on maternity leave] . If atos did contact her dept than one of her colleagues would have to, 'pull my file,and give them any information'. I was wondering if this will go against me, ie it being an old letter, and her being unreachable. Also, I made a photo copy of the entire form and extra sheets of information I sent in last time, and was wondering if I was to reuse much of this information, as my condition remains the same, would they use this against me, ie if the had my form from last time, and noticed the answers were the same. I mean the answers would be the same anyway, as my condition is unchanged, if that makes any sense. Grateful for any help offered, many thanks.
Last edit: 11 years 4 weeks ago by Gordon.
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11 years 4 weeks ago #101246 by Gordon
The weight that ATOS and the DWP will assign to an "old" report will usually be less than that given to an up to date one, however, this must be offset against the quality of the report, unfortunately, this is a decision that only you can make.
In principle you can use the content from your previous ESA50 for this one, but before doing so you should consider the following.
- The ESA Descriptors and Regulations have been updated since you last completed the ESA50, the changes may not affect how you intend to answer the questions, but you would be advised to check.
- You should consider explaining why your condition is no better, or even worse, than when you last completed the ESA50, in part, this may help with the age of the OT's report.
Good luck
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic esa renewal, supporting evidence
sarahh wrote: Hello, I would be very grateful for any advice on this topic. I was placed in the support group for ESA last April, without a medical,after filling in an esa50 form [migrating me from income support to esa] . I have just received another esa50 form to fill in. Last time I sent 3 pieces of supporting evidence, a letter from my carer, one from my GP, [which I have requested again] and one from my Occupational Therapist. When I contacted her for a letter this time, she informed me that she would be unable to do this as she was going on maternity leave that very day. She suggested that I send a copy of the old letter, dated April last year, and make a note on it explaining these circumstances, and that the information in the letter was still just as relevant, and that she was still willing for me to put her name on the form [even though atos would not be able to contact her as she is away on maternity leave] . If atos did contact her dept than one of her colleagues would have to, 'pull my file,and give them any information'. I was wondering if this will go against me, ie it being an old letter, and her being unreachable. Also, I made a photo copy of the entire form and extra sheets of information I sent in last time, and was wondering if I was to reuse much of this information, as my condition remains the same, would they use this against me, ie if the had my form from last time, and noticed the answers were the same. I mean the answers would be the same anyway, as my condition is unchanged, if that makes any sense. Grateful for any help offered, many thanks.
The weight that ATOS and the DWP will assign to an "old" report will usually be less than that given to an up to date one, however, this must be offset against the quality of the report, unfortunately, this is a decision that only you can make.
In principle you can use the content from your previous ESA50 for this one, but before doing so you should consider the following.
- The ESA Descriptors and Regulations have been updated since you last completed the ESA50, the changes may not affect how you intend to answer the questions, but you would be advised to check.
- You should consider explaining why your condition is no better, or even worse, than when you last completed the ESA50, in part, this may help with the age of the OT's report.
Good luck
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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