have missed deadline to return ESA50 what happens?

Hi,
Firstly I just want to say I have been a member of this site for some years and I praise the day I found it...It is invaluable and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for setting it up!

I have an urgent question.....I hope someone can help me with?

I am late sending in my ESA50 form . I am being transferred from Incapacity benefit on since 2005 for anxiety and depression.

I have been trying to do the form on my own with the excellent advice on this site. My partner works away in the week back weekends and I was getting overwhelmed with anxiety and depression and had to stop doing the form until he came back before xmas.

He rang the DWP for me to ask for an extension and they said they don't do them but that I would have two weeks from the date of my reminder letter to get it back in. I've just now read on this site that this is not correct. It is possible to send it in late but you have to show "Good Cause"

He also went to the CAB for me but they were just shutting until the 3rd january.

I restarted doing the form over christmas with the help of my partner and we have got most of it done but it was too late to send it in time. I am too anxious to send it without having it checked by the CAB but cannot get there until thursday as this is the first day my partner can come home. My partner needs to accompany me as I have difficulty getting out of the house due to anxiety attacks.

Would any of these reasons as I've said above, becoming overwhelmed with anxiety , the CAB being shut and agoraphobia meaning I can't get to the Cab without my partner count as good cause ?

Please can anyone advise me? I would be so grateful of any help.... am on my own and finding it hard to stop panicking.

Many thanks ...

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Hi Helen

I'm afraid there is no definition of 'good cause' - it's up to the decision maker.

I would advise you to have the form completed/checked and sent as soon as possible with a letter explaining the full reasons why it's late. It would also be a good idea to phone JCP and explain that you have been unable to meet the deadline so that it will be on record that you are not simply ignoring the form.

If a decision maker decides that you did not have good cause, the decision will be appealable.

Good luck

Derek

Hi Derek, Thanks for your help. Will go the CAB on thursday with my partner. Fingers crossed they accept why I haven't been able to do it in time!

Many thanks