ESA50

Hi

I am new to the forum and just wondered if you could give me any advice?

I am currently receiving Incapacity Benefit (IB) and have just received my ESA50 01/13 form. The thing is, I have been living with my elderly parents since I had a mental breakdown some years ago (which is when I first starting receiving IB). My mum had been in reasonable health though my dad had been in receipt of DLA for several years. However, my father was diagnosed with cancer last September, and my mother had a stroke in March of last year too, and needs a great deal of support.

I have therefore somewhat become a live-in carer for both my parents. I just wonder if I should mention these facts in my ESA form, or should I simply stick specifically to my own condition and how it affects me, regardless of the extra responsibilities that have developed? I am concerned that as I now have this unofficial role as carer, I may be viewed as fit to return to work, which is far from the case (and indeed is impossible now due to my parents needs).

Many thanks in anticipation of any help you can give me!

Best regards

Brian

Buddysbiz wrote: Hi

I am new to the forum and just wondered if you could give me any advice?

I am currently receiving Incapacity Benefit (IB) and have just received my ESA50 01/13 form. The thing is, I have been living with my elderly parents since I had a mental breakdown some years ago (which is when I first starting receiving IB). My mum had been in reasonable health though my dad had been in receipt of DLA for several years. However, my father was diagnosed with cancer last September, and my mother had a stroke in March of last year too, and needs a great deal of support.

I have therefore somewhat become a live-in carer for both my parents. I just wonder if I should mention these facts in my ESA form, or should I simply stick specifically to my own condition and how it affects me, regardless of the extra responsibilities that have developed? I am concerned that as I now have this unofficial role as carer, I may be viewed as fit to return to work, which is far from the case (and indeed is impossible now due to my parents needs).

Many thanks in anticipation of any help you can give me!

Best regards

Brian

Hi Bb,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

The ESA50 Questionnaire is part of The ESA WCA, and is used to assess "Your" capabilities for work and/or work related activity.

You only have to answer any questions that are asked.

You should be aware that if ATOS/DWP are aware of your "caring role" they make make assumptions regarding your capabilities, with regards to said caring role.

A problem should only occur if the actions involved with your caring role are in contradiction to your stated limitations as a result of your own medical conditions.

Therefore, it may be feasible for someone with MH problems to offer physical care to someone else, and vice versa.

If you haven't already done so, have a read through this document:

"Being transferred from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance. A 22 page guide to the transfer process."

At the top of this page :

ESA Claims Guides

As you have received the ESA50 Questionnaire, you must fill it in and return it to ATOS, by the deadline given.

You may wish to consider :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the ESA Claims Guides under the heading :

"New ESA50 form"

On the same ESA Claims Guides page as above :

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

It may also help, if you read through our :

IB, IS, SDA, Migration to ESA FAQ’s

And our :

ESA FAQ’s

It may seem a lot to take in, so you might wish to Favourite/Bookmark this page, so that you can revisit it easily.

You can then pose any further queries, when necessary, by replying to this topic.

bro58

Hi bro58

Many thanks for the welcome and your excellent reply!

'You should be aware that if ATOS/DWP are aware of your "caring role" they make make assumptions regarding your capabilities, with regards to said caring role.'

Yes, this is exactly what I was wondering!

'A problem should only occur if the actions involved with your caring role are in contradiction to your stated limitations as a result of your own medical conditions.

Therefore, it may be feasible for someone with MH problems to offer physical care to someone else, and vice versa.'

Yes, my role is purely offering physical support and accompanying them to appointments, which is only the same as my attending similar appointments myself, with the same degree of social anxiety attached.

I have read some of the links you have provided, and will endeavour to read the rest!

Many thanks again!

Brian