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ESA50A
- mactav
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Do hope I'm doing this right. I have looked at the frequent questions, but non covers my query. My husband received an ESA50 which should have been returned by the end of January. My husband has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Wegener's granulomatosis, the only treatment is chemotherapy, which he is currently receiving every 2 weeks. I 'phoned DWP to inform them of this and asked for a return call. No-one 'phoned but a form ESA50A 3/11 turned up, it only has 12 pages to complete. It should be received by ATOS tomorrow, 6th Feb, but I have just 'phoned to have it extended as my husband is too ill to complete it, they exteneded by 1 week, big deal. Do you know of anyone that has received one of these forms please? Thankyou

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- Gordon
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Peggie wrote: Hi All
Do hope I'm doing this right. I have looked at the frequent questions, but non covers my query. My husband received an ESA50 which should have been returned by the end of January. My husband has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Wegener's granulomatosis, the only treatment is chemotherapy, which he is currently receiving every 2 weeks. I 'phoned DWP to inform them of this and asked for a return call. No-one 'phoned but a form ESA50A 3/11 turned up, it only has 12 pages to complete. It should be received by ATOS tomorrow, 6th Feb, but I have just 'phoned to have it extended as my husband is too ill to complete it, they exteneded by 1 week, big deal. Do you know of anyone that has received one of these forms please? Thankyou
I am assuming that he is already in receipt of ESA and I am guessing that he is in the WRAG.
The ESA50A is a short form of the normal ESA50, you might want to check, but it suspect it will be based on what is now the old ESA50.
It appears to be issued when there is no dispute as to Limited Capability for Work, but further information is required, that said, as it reflects a Change of Circumstances, I would expect there to still be a risk associated with completing it.
I have to warn you that the legislation is specific in referencing cancer in relation to chemotherapy, so I am not sure how this change will be treated.
Good luck
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- mactav
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- bro58
I found this extract from one of Steve's older ESA Guides ;
"Where the decision maker has identified a claimant as having limited capability for work based on medical certification, they may be sent an ESA50A to decide whether they also have limited capability for work-related activity. The ESA50A and any other medical evidence will be reviewed by an Atos doctor. If a recommendation on whether the claimant does, or does not, meet the criteria for inclusion in the support group cannot be made on the basis of the evidence."
bro58
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- Gordon
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Peggie wrote: Thanks Gordon, my husband is still in receipt of Incapacity Benefit and is in the process of being transferred over to ESA, should have said that, sorry.
Where are you in the process?
Has an ESA50 (not ESA50A) been issued and returned? If it has then my previous advice stands with the addition that you need to return this form as quickly as possible for it to be included in the Decision on your husbands claim, however, if it has not been issued or you are still completing it, then I am not sure why this second form would have been issued.
Gordon
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- mactav
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Having read your reply and Gordon's, I'm thinking that the DWP have sent the wrong forms for my husband to complete. I'm going to make sure that I put down all his illnesses and incapacities as this Wegener's is a new diagnosis; and hopefully he will recover from it, but it is debilitating condition and also a life threatening one. At present it is only the chemo that is keeping him going. Perhaps they may relent and put him in the Support Group for 6 mths.
Many thanks to this wonderful site, that I found by accident. I am a retired Civil Servant that worked for DWP so I have a grounding of how the system works, but even I need a helping hand to digest all the major changes that keep on happening. Thanks to all of your who work tirelessly for Benefits and Works.

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