ESA50 form and new evidence

wrinkly65
wrinkly65 Online Community Member Posts: 28 Contributor
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi, helping my son with form . Says send only medical evidence you have already do not ask for new. At the risk of sounding thick, surely up to date evidence is important and nescassary. My son is having CBT and his long term condition has worsened . Should we request a support/ assessment letter from therapist anyway.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,496 Championing
    Hi,

    They mainly put that to stop everyone rushing to their GP as soon as they get an assessment form.

    If you already have evidence that shows the current problems then there's no need for any more.  But if conditions have changed then it sounds like new evidence would be helpful in your sons case.  Bear in mind it's based on the ability to complete tasks within the descriptors though, a CBT therapist may not understand how his conditions impact his daily life.  Just writing about his diagnosis may not be helpful.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @OverlyAnxious the op was referring to WCA not PIP so the criteria is different and about ability to complete any sort of work in a work environment 

    It may be relevant to send a supporting letter as long as it is new evidence and treatment 
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,496 Championing
    janer1967 said:
    @OverlyAnxious the op was referring to WCA not PIP so the criteria is different and about ability to complete any sort of work in a work environment 

    It may be relevant to send a supporting letter as long as it is new evidence and treatment 
    Yes, I was aware of that, sorry if it was unclear.  My point was that it's still about 'life' rather than diagnosis. 
  • wrinkly65
    wrinkly65 Online Community Member Posts: 28 Contributor
    thank you, we have good evidence of persistant problems going back to start of esa 2018 to about a year ago. he is  having CBT again due to concerns his GP had, and has some recent grading of levels to send. To be honest he is just shy of top ratings for mental health problems.going out ( needs support), socialising, etc. and has been for 4 years which would affect being in a work place. Sounds like should be ok with what we have but a recent support letter wouldnt go amiss, his therapist after 4 years on and off is  aware of daily struggles and impact. 

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