ESA Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire

lorica

Hi all,

Im just going through an application for ESA, as my SSP which I have been getting finishes next week.

This morning i recieved a Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire, is there any guidance to help fill this form out?

Or has anyone got any hints or tips?

Mark

frogmorton

My top ten tip is to ask IRIS (Dorcas) :oops:

sorry Iris :oops:

Love

Toni xx

lorica

Thanks for the tip Toni...

Iris is proberly running for the hills....

".... oh iris where are you hiding....."

Thanks

Mark

coco67

i got mine yesterday so your not alone mark.

scrating my head in amazment at some of the questions

coco xx

dorcas

Hi Mark! Hi Coco

tried to hide ... but Toni found me

Here's some info I hope will help with filling in the Form.

Work Capability Assessment
Background
After you claim Employment Support Allowance (ESA) it is likely that you will be required to go through a Work Capability Assessment. You may be exempt if you have certain medical conditions.
The assessment looks at your ability to perform a list of daily activities. Based on your ability to carry out these activities, the Department for Work and Pensions then decides whether you have "limited capability for work".

The assessment is usually in two stages. First you will be sent a questionnaire in which you are required to assess yourself. You may then be asked to attend a medical assessment by a health professional.

The questionnaire

How you fill in the form is very important. If you do not put something down on the form at this stage, it is less likely that a decision maker or an Appeal Tribunal will accept that you have difficulties which you only mention later.
Here are some tips for completing the questionnaire:

1. Read the notes on the form before answering the questions. Take your time. It may help to write your answers on a separate piece of paper first.

2. The questionnaire is designed to assess your ability to carry out a range of everyday physical and mental activities. It is not about the job that you used to do. The test is whether you are reasonably capable of doing some kind of work, given appropriate training.

3. Don't assume that you have to be unable to do everything in the questionnaire to pass the test. For example, if you have a back problem you would not normally have sight problems, or difficulties using your hands. However, you might have considerable problems with standing or bending, which may be enough to pass.

4. Think carefully about how well you can manage each activity. You should not just think about whether you can do it once, but whether you could repeat it. If doing something causes you pain or leaves you exhausted, you should say so. Use the spaces below the questionnaire to explain this.

5. Try not to guess distances and times. It can be surprising how much people over- or underestimate them. For example, if you can only sit for a short length of time, how far through a television programme can you sit before you have to move? The form gives you some suggestions to help you. If you are not sure how far you can walk, try asking a friend to pace it out for you. Use the spaces below the questionnaire to explain how you have measured your ability.

6. Many people have 'good and bad days'. You should complete the form based on your bad days. You should then state that your condition is sometimes not as bad as this. If necessary, estimate on average how often you could perform the activity and how often you could not.

7. Write any extra relevant and important information that you have not already mentioned, such as if you have had to give up work for medical reasons, in the space at the end of the form for additional information.

8. If you are completing the Mental Capabilities section, you should try to give as much detail as you can about why you find something difficult. Try to think of a particular example of when something happened and how it affected you, or when you tried to do something and the problems that you had. For example, if you have problems avoiding danger, you might describe what happens when you try to use a cooker, such as forgetting to switch it off or not checking that the gas has caught light.

9. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your answers.

10. The test is based on how many points the decision maker awards you. To be assessed as having "limited capability for work" you must score at least 15 points for either physical or mental capabilities, or a combination of both.

*Remember.. Take your time, think through each and every question and give as full an answer as possible for each section. Do not minimise your condition. You have plenty of time between receiving the form and returning it, so use the time wisely... make notes and then go back and fill the form in, using your notes as a guide.

The more information you provide the better prepared you will be for the next stage... the ATOS medical. :roll:

Good Luck!

Iris xxxx

coco67

Thankyou iris,

i appreciate your advice.

coco xx

lorica

Thanks Iris, glad Toni found you....

Mark

dorcas

You're very welcome

If there's anything more I can help with... please post.... or PM me if you'd rather.

I know how awful this process was/ is for me.... and lots of other peeps here on the forum have gone through the same experience.

Being on the forum means we can hopefully help one another .... a bit like the musketeers 'All for one and one for all'



Iris xxx

queenfan

Hi Mark & coco Iris is really good on all things like this,
I wish I had asked her advise,
I went to the CAB for help filling in my forums they were very good,
I am hopeless with forms, I hope things go well for you both.
Sue x

haagan

Hi
Having been through the ordeal of filling in this form twice, i agree with everthing dorcus said and add one from personal experince if you suffer with your hands,get someone else to fill form in for you. Otherwise they ignore any probs with hands on grounds you filled in form therefore in ATOS land nothing wrong, had to take them to tribunal were it was obivious to them that i had major probs with hands, second time round i got my boyfriend to fill it in no probs getting continuation good luck Fay

lorica

I'm so confused now..... :?

I got a letter this morning from the job centre plus saying I have been granted ESA!!!

I dont know if the fact my ESA has been worked out on my nat Ins contributions, and the fact i still have a job, (at the moment that is) although been off sick for seven months....

Im so confused, think im going to keep the letter in a very safe place just incase...

The letter does say i may need a medical....

:? :? :? :?
Mark

frogmorton

lorica wrote:

Thanks Iris, glad Toni found you....

Mark

HA!!!!

My sleuthing days are not over yet Mark

dreamdaisy

Beaurocracy at its best! Ring them to check, lorica, and as you say put the letter away safely. I think it worth ensuring that all the involved agencies are singing from the same hymn sheet. How's the meth going? Are you finding it any easier side-effects wise? DD

ironic

Hi Mark,

Well I do hope they have sorted it for you. As you say it is all very confusing and as clear as mud. But you never know it might be correct. Fingers crossed for you.

Lv, Ix

dorcas

Hi Mark

My ESA application was based on my Nat. Insurance contributions too.

I'd phone the jobcentreplus office to check whether the questionnaire still needs to be completed or whether (hopefully ) you've been given a stay of execution ...as far as the ATOS medical questionnaire/ assessment is concerned.

Fingers are crossed for you!

Iris xx

kickyloo

I'm just doing mine and knew I'd find some helpful info here!
I don't think I will get it but will at least try.
Thanks guys!
Nicky
x

woodbon

Hi I think when my salary finished I had ESA automatically until the medical failed and I'm still getting it until the appeal. Anyway, I know its definatly ESA until the appeal. I think that its at a lower rate. Check it out at the jobcentre, as others have said. I bet they are busy today!!!

Hope everything gets sorted out for you, I know how confusing and frustrating all the those forms and things are! Its a wonder I didn't tear mine up in temper!!!! Love Suexxx

woodbon

kickyloo wrote:

I'm just doing mine and knew I'd find some helpful info here!
I don't think I will get it but will at least try.
Thanks guys!
Nicky
x

Do apply and do all the things they ask. I know its a b***y pain in posterior but, if you do it at least its showing the 'Powers that be' your need and if things change, which you never know they might, well, who knows you may get it! So, take a deep breath and start!!! Loads of love Suexxx

lorica

thanks everyone, I will ring the job centre tomorrow and just check things out

will let you all know what happens

Mark