Hi, my name is Clarebryan2347! Need help with esa claim

Clarebryan2347

Hi my partner has just applied for esa and we just got the lcw form and I’m clueless we’re to start and how to fill the form in and just mega worried he wouldn’t get esa due to me filling it in wrong or what we have to include he’s got mental health problems anxiety depression and problems with restless legs were he can’t sit down for long periods also he has high blood pressure which the anxiety doesn’t help with he lost his mum before Xmas who he looked after for a long time (19 years) with my help as well and it broke him and just sent him into further depression he feels he can’t go back to work it worry’s him to death and he he doesn’t get esa I don’t no what I’m gonna do 😞😞😞

poppy123456

When filling in the work capability assessment then you need to put as much information as possible about how their conditions affect them. Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time they attempted that activity. Also add information such as where they were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

You can see the descriptors here for the Support Group. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/support-group-descriptors

Whether they'll be entitled to receive any money from the ESA claim will depend on their NI contirbutions in tax years April 2019 to March 2021. If they haven't paid the correct amount then no money will be received. If they are found to have limited capability for work then they will receive NI credits.

Tori_Scope

I hope that poppy123456's comment has helped you to understand the form a little more @Clarebryan2347 Do you have any further questions or worries? It can definitely be a stressful process, but fingers crossed you'll be able to claim without too much trouble. 

Have you used a benefits calculator (Turn2Us) to see what else you/your partner might be entitled to claim? 

I'm can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him to lose his mum. Has he sought any support to help him through the grieving process at all? His GP should be able to point him in the right direction. He may also find it helpful to have a chat with Cruse. 

It also sounds as though he's been struggling with his mental health more generally of late. Is he receiving any support to help him manage his anxiety and depression? 

calcotti

Guidance here too
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form-esa/

Clarebryan2347

Hi Tori_Scope yes he on anti depression medication and have been upped lately I’m just not great at putting stuff down on forms and he’s not able to do it himself just need some advice what to write on there so he gets the correct points x

Tori_Scope

I'm glad to hear that he's getting some support @Clarebryan2347  

I'd definitely recommend that you take a look through the link that calcotti has posted, as it contains some guidance about how to complete the form and what the questions mean. Perhaps you could give that a read and let us know if there's anything you're still unsure about? 

No one can really tell you what to write as such, as we're bound to have a limited understanding of how your husband is affected by his conditions. If you'd find it helpful to chat through some ideas on the phone, you can call our friendly helpline on 0808 800 3333. You can find other advice in your area by searching on advicelocal.uk.

poppy123456

We can't tell you what to write because we know nothing about how his conditions affect him. For the Support Group it's not about scoring points, it's about satisfying at least 1 of the descriptors in the link i posted above. If you haven't had a look then i'd advise you to do that.

There's also reg35 (substantial risk) https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/regulation-35-2-b-is-now-the-main-route-into-esa-support-group

He's he entitled to payments each week, these will only be paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group.