guide to completing esa50 or uc50 - hertfordshire · 0800 169 0310 if you are claiming esa. if you...

Guide to completing

ESA50 or UC50

This factsheet was updated in July 2020. See website for latest version.

Money Advice Unit Issue 3 0300 123 4040 www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

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This guide explains how to complete the Capability for Work questionnaire, also known as the ESA50 form (for employment and support allowance claimants), or the UC50 form (if you are claiming universal credit and are unfit for work). See our other factsheets at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits for more information about employment and support allowance (ESA), universal credit, and the tests that are used to decide whether you are unfit for work.

Why do I need to complete a capability for work questionnaire?

If you are claiming employment and support allowance (ESA), you will probably need to have a work capability assessment to decide if you have ‘limited capability for work’. The DWP will ask you to complete a questionnaire and you will probably need to attend a face-to-face consultation with a health professional.

In response to the Covid-19, coronavirus pandemic, the government announced on 23 March that face to face assessments were suspended for 3 months. In July the government announced that the suspension of face to face assessments is to remain in place but kept under review following consideration of the latest public health guidance.

If you in receipt of ESA or UC on the basis of having limited capability for work or limited capability for work related activity and your award is due to come to an end the end date will be extended so you continue to get your benefit.

The outcome of the assessment determines whether you can continue getting ESA, and whether you will be put in the ‘work related activity group’ or ‘support group’. If you are put in the support group, you will receive a higher rate of benefit and will not have to take part in any work-related activity. If you are claiming universal credit, the work capability assessment is used to decide whether you can have an extra amount included in your benefit for limited capability for work-related activity and whether you are required to look for work or take part in other work-related requirements. If you have had an assessment previously, the DWP may decide to reassess you after a while, to check if you still qualify. During the Covid-19, coronavirus pandemic face to face reassessments have been suspended and the DWP are extending existing award to reduce the number of reassessments. The DWP have started to reinstate reviews for some benefits but at present the suspension remains in place for ESA and the WCA for UC claimants. People with certain types of severe disability are exempt from being reassessed based on a paper assessment. See our factsheet ‘unfit for work’ at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits for more information about this. Some people are automatically treated as having limited capability for work, for example, if you are terminally ill and send in a DS1500 form or if you are a hospital in-patient. Those treated as having limited capability for work has been extended to include a person affected by Covid-19 if you are:

http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits

http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits


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infected or contaminated with Covid-19

in isolation in line with government advice

caring for a child or qualifying young person who is a member of your household and who meets one of the above conditions

What happens if I don’t complete the form on time?

The letter accompanying the form will tell you when it needs to be returned (normally four weeks from the date it was issued). If you don’t complete and return your form on time, your benefit payments may be suspended or stopped.

If you want help to complete the form, you can ask a friend or relative or an advice service such as the Citizens Advice (03444 111 444). The DWP also has a home visiting service for vulnerable claimants who need help with the form and can’t get support elsewhere. If you lose or spoil your form, phone to request another one. You should call 0800 169 0310 if you are claiming ESA. If you are claiming universal credit you should call 0800 328 5644. If you miss the time limit for returning your form, return it as soon as possible and explain why you are late. If you have a good reason for returning the form late – such as an illness, mental health problem or family emergency and you inform the DWP about this – your claim should not be stopped.

Completing the capability for work questionnaire The form is long, and it may take an hour or more to complete. Allow yourself plenty of time to think about the questions and answer them fully. You don’t need to complete the form all in one go. Don’t worry about spelling mistakes - it’s more important to get the information on to the form. If you’ve provided information previously as part of a benefit claim, don’t assume that the Department for Work and Pensions will look at it again. They may look at information you have given them previously - but sometimes this is not possible. Provide plenty of detailed information about your condition and how it affects you. The person who decides your claim probably won’t have specialist knowledge of your condition, and people with the same medical condition can have very different needs and difficulties. Things that seem obvious to you may not be obvious to the person who decides your claim.

Don’t worry about repeating yourself on the form. You may need to repeat the same information on different pages.

If you run out of space when answering a question, you can add additional information in the space at page 21. Alternatively you can attach separate sheets of paper to the form. Write your name and national insurance number on every extra sheet of paper and make clear which questions they refer to. Staple the extra sheets to the form.


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Pages 2 to 8 of the questionnaire

The form starts with questions about your contact details, medical conditions, medication and treatment.

Page 3 Returning the questionnaire late

If you are returning your form late, explain why. Remember that the DWP may suspend or stop your benefit if your form is late and they don’t accept that you have a good reason for this.

Professionals or carers

This page asks for contact details of your GP. You are also asked for details of another person who can provide information about your condition and how it affects you; name someone who understands about your condition and how it affects your everyday life. The DWP may contact them for further information, but won’t necessarily do so.

Page 5 Cancer treatment

Complete this section if you are having, waiting for or recovering from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You should then ask a health professional to complete page 24 and if they say that the likely impact of the treatment is that there will be work-limiting side-effects you should get a quick decision to award you benefit. You should also be put in the support group (for ESA) or limited capability for work-related activity group (for universal credit) without having to attend a face to face assessment. You should not need to complete the rest of the form except to sign page 22.

Page 6 About your health conditions, illnesses or disabilities

This question asks you to list all of your long-term medical conditions or disabilities, including both physical conditions and mental conditions such as anxiety or depression. You can list problems you are having, even if you don’t have a diagnosis (e.g. if you have pain or dizziness but don’t know what is causing it). If you have a drug or alcohol problem that is affecting your ability to do everyday activities, include that. Addiction will be taken into account in the same way as any other disability or health condition. Try and put a date for when each condition started (the year and approximate month will be enough). Give a brief summary of how conditions affect you. For example, you could indicate if you need help from carers, if you can’t go out alone, if you are frequently fatigued or if you have had to give up work. Mention any aids used, such as a walking stick or grab rails. If you have tried an aid but found it unhelpful, explain this too. You are asked to explain how each condition varies. This is very difficult in a small space and it’s easy to be unclear. It is okay to write: 'I will explain how my condition affects me day to day under each question in the rest of the form'. If you have a


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condition with a set pattern of difficulties that is clear - you may want to put that here, for example, if your condition is worse in the mornings or after a period of time. If you have good days and bad days, try to give a picture of how many ‘bad’ days or weeks and how many ‘better’ days or weeks you experience over time, and how long ‘bad’ spells generally last for.

Page 7 About your medication If you have a printed prescription list from your GP, you can send that with the form instead of writing out all your prescriptions on the form. If you are doing this, write in the box that you are enclosing a list and put your national insurance number on the prescription list. If you can’t use a medication or treatment that is usually recommended for your condition (for example, because of side effects or because it would clash with other medication you are taking), explain this. Don’t forget to include information on side effects, especially if these affect your ability to cope with daily activities.

Page 7 About other treatment Here you can list details of other treatment such as hospital treatment, physiotherapy, counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy. If you are unsure about whether something is relevant put it down. If you are waiting for help and have been referred put that down and say who referred you and to where (if you know).

Pages 8-13 of the questionnaire: part 1 physical functions

This part of the form asks about difficulties you have because of physical disabilities or physical health problems.

For each activity, there are some questions with tick boxes, followed by a larger box where you can give extra information to describe what difficulties you have or what help you need. If you have any difficulty with an activity, you should always fill in the larger box with an explanation.

Give examples or describe specific incidents where possible. The assessment does not take account of actual jobs, your education or training. Neither does it take account of language or literacy difficulties. It is a test of your ability to perform the activities taking account of a specific bodily disease or disablement or a specific mental illness or disablement, and the direct results of medical treatment for these.

Good days and bad days

Generally, it is your ability to perform a task most of the time. And so if you cannot complete an activity on four days out of seven then the descriptor and points score should be applied. If you have long periods of remission you may be considered capable of work during these


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periods. This depends on a number of things including the severity of your condition, the frequency of your good and bad days and the unpredictability of the bad days. Even though some of the descriptors say ‘always’, this does not mean ‘at all times’, and so intermittent problems which affect you regularly can still lead to you satisfying the descriptor.

Repeatability

It is not necessarily your ability to perform an activity once that counts. It is your ability to perform an activity with some degree of repetition with a broad-brush approach being applied rather than just a day by-day approach. To be able to do something you would normally be able to do it for a reasonable, continuous period within a day, and on the majority of days.

Pain, fatigue and safety

Pain, fatigue and the increasing difficulty you may have in performing an activity on a repeated basis compared with someone in good health should be taken into account. Any risk to your health in performing an activity should be considered, particularly if carrying it out is against medical advice. If the risk is sufficiently serious, you may be considered incapable of the activity.

Fluctuating conditions

If your condition varies, the best approach is to describe how things are on your worst days, and also how things are most of the time, or on your ‘better’ days. If your form only describes how things are on your worst days, when you attend your face-to-face assessment it will probably become apparent that things are not always that bad. If you still have some difficulties on ‘better’ days, explain this. For example, you may be unable to leave your home at all on bad days, and on good days be able to go out but only if someone accompanies you. If your condition varies during the course of the day, explain this.

1. Moving around and using steps

This question asks about your ability to walk, propel yourself in a manual wheelchair, and go up or down two steps with a handrail. If you use an aid such as a walking stick, or if it would be reasonable for you to use an aid, you will be assessed based on your ability using that aid. The DWP need to know how far you can reliably walk, or propel yourself in a wheelchair, without significant discomfort. Don't guess the distance. If you don't know - ask someone to help you work out how far it is in metres. It can be difficult to judge distances. It may be helpful to know that a double decker bus is 10 meters long so 5 double decker buses parked end to end is about 50 meters and a football pitch is 100 metres long.

Examples of things you could write about

Could walking make your health condition worse?


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Do you have pain when you walk? Which parts of your body does this affect? How far can you walk before the pain starts? Describe how the pain feels, for example, cramp, shooting pain, stinging, burning or aching.

Do you suffer from nausea, dizziness, breathlessness or another type of discomfort when you walk?

Do you have problems with your manner of walking, for example, do you limp, shuffle, or stoop? Are you unsteady on your feet?

If you have difficulty moving around within your own home, make that clear.

When you are walking do you often have to stop and rest before continuing?

If you walk for a distance (e.g. 50 metres or 100 metres) do you then need to rest for a before you can repeat it? Do you have to lean or hold onto anything for support, sit down or lie down to rest after walking? How long do you have to rest for?

If you are at risk of falling, give details. How often do you fall, trip or stumble? If you have had falls, describe what caused them, for example, did your legs give way or did you trip? Have you fallen on steps or stairs?

If you walk slowly, try to describe how slow you are. For example, it may take you twice as long to walk to your local shop as it would take someone without a health condition or disability.

Have you tried aids such as a walking stick, but found the aid unhelpful? Would you be unable to use a walking aid, for example, unable to grip a stick because of a problem with your hands?

Do you have difficulty with going up a few steps, or stepping up and down kerbs? This question looks at ability to cope with two steps, not a full flight of stairs. But if you have had a stair lift installed at home that is worth mentioning.

If you have difficulty walking and would also have difficulty propelling yourself in a wheelchair, explain why. Even if you have never tried propelling yourself in a wheelchair, explain if it would be likely to be difficult for you. For example, you may have a condition affecting your arms or hands, difficulty bending, or back pain that makes sitting painful.

2. Standing and sitting

This question asks about your ability to move from one seat to another seat next to it, and your ability to remain in one place without having to move away. The DWP needs to know how long you can stay by a desk or a workstation (such as a supermarket till), if an adjustable chair is available. They want to know how long you can stay there standing and sitting even if you have to sit down and stand up repeatedly. For example, if you can sit for 10 minutes and then stand for 10 minutes but after that sitting down again wouldn’t ease your discomfort and the only relief would be to walk away or go and lie down, that means you can sit and stand for 20 minutes.

Examples of things you could write about:

Do you struggle with getting out of a chair (even if it has arms), and need several attempts to do so?


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Do you need another person to help pull you out of a chair?

Do you have difficulty with waiting in queues because of pain or discomfort?

When you’re sitting down, e.g. watching TV, do you often have to get up and move around to ease the pain?

Do you often have to lie down because standing and sitting are too uncomfortable

3. Reaching

This question asks about your ability to raise your arms. You need to have problems with both arms to score points. If one arm is worse than the other you need to think about whether you can do these tasks with your better arm.


Do you have difficulty with getting your arms into sleeves, or with putting on a hat?

Do you have difficulty brushing or washing your hair because it is hard to raise your arms over your head?

Do you have difficulty reaching to get things from cupboards or shelves?

Does raising your arms cause pain? Does the pain get worse if you raise your arms repeatedly?

4. Picking up and moving things

This question asks about your ability to pick up objects and move them. It doesn’t take into account any difficulty with bending down, walking or carrying objects over a distance. Imagine standing or sitting in front of a table, picking up an object and moving it a short distance across the table. You need to have problems on both the left and right side to score points. If one side is worse than the other you need to think about whether you can do these tasks with your better hand.


Do you have difficulty gripping objects?

Do you get pain in your hands, wrists or arms when you pick things up?

Do you often drop things because of poor grip?

Do you have tremors or another condition which makes it difficult to control your arms and hands?

Give examples if you have difficulty lifting objects e.g. if you are unable to use a kettle to make a cup of tea

5. Manual dexterity

This question asks about your ability to do simple tasks with your hands. You need to have problems with both your left and right hand to score points. If one side is worse than the other you need to think about whether you can do these tasks with your better


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hand. The question about using a pen or pencil refers to making a simple mark such as a tick or cross, not extensive or prolonged writing. Using a keyboard or mouse means being able to physically press keys or move and click the mouse, and doesn’t include ability to understand how to use a computer. Examples of things you could write about

If you are unable to do some of the simple tasks mentioned on the form (such as using a pen, picking up a coin or turning pages of a book) say which ones. Also say if you would experience pain when doing these tasks.

Do you have difficulty controlling your hand movements due to joint problems, poor co-ordination or tremors?

Do you have difficulty gripping things? Are you prone to dropping things?

6. Communicating – speaking, writing and typing This is about ability to physically speak, write or type a simple message in your native language. It is not about mental health problems. An example of a simple message would be 'someone is knocking at the door'. If you can only do this with help you should tick 'no'. Examples of things you could write about

Are you unable to speak clearly? Do strangers find it very difficult (or impossible) to understand what you are saying?

Do you have aphasia (difficulty speaking or using the wrong words, for example following a stroke)?

Do you speak much more quietly, or more slowly, than average?

Do you often have to repeat yourself several times before people understand you?

7. Communicating – hearing and reading

This question is about sight and hearing problems. You can score points if you have difficulty with understanding either spoken or written messages; you don’t need to have problems with both. The assessment looks at whether you are able to read a simple message in 16 point print, or hear or lip read a simple spoken message. You do not need to have problems with both sight and hearing to score points for this question -these problems could be due to cognitive difficulties or learning difficulties. Examples of things you could write about

Do you often have to ask people to repeat what they have said, because of difficulty hearing?

If you have a hearing aid, explain if you still have some difficulty hearing. For example, do you have difficulty if there is background noise?

If you lip read, describe any limitations or problems with that and mention them – for


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example, does it have to be someone you know well? Are certain accents difficult?

Do you have difficulty reading large print information (16 points or above)?

Are you only able to read if the lighting conditions are right for you, for example, you may have difficulty reading in dim light, bright light or sunlight?

Do you read much more slowly than average?

Do you use sign language and need a sign language interpreter to communicate with people who speak?

8. Getting around safely This question is misleading as it only asks about eyesight. This part of the assessment is actually about 'sensory problems' affecting getting around safely, so hearing problems can count too. It’s not about mental health problems or learning difficulties; those are covered later on the form. If you use an aid such as a white stick, guide dog or hearing aid, you will be assessed based on your ability using the aid. Examples of things you could write about

Do you have difficulty finding your way around because you can’t see your surroundings well enough?

Do you have difficulty avoiding obstacles because of a sight problem? Do you tend to bump into things or trip over because you can’t see well?

Do you have a restricted visual field (e.g. ‘tunnel vision’)?

Do you have more difficulty in certain lighting conditions, e.g. dim light, darkness, bright sunlight?

Do you need another person to help you cross roads safely?

Can you see well enough to identify and get on the right bus or train when using public transport? Can you identify the right stop to get off at?

Would you be unable to hear a car approaching from behind, a bicycle bell or a shouted warning?

Do you need guidance from another person in unfamiliar areas? Familiar areas?

If you have had any accidents or near misses, describe these.

9. Controlling your bowels and bladder and using a collecting device

Sometimes people miss out because they feel embarrassed describing problems with their bowels or bladder. It’s important to include this if it affects you, and explain how often it happens. The question refers to ‘extensive’ evacuation of the bowel and/or bladder, which would normally result in having to change clothing. If it’s just a small amount of leakage which is easily absorbed by an incontinence pad it won’t count. Examples of things you could write about

Do you have accidents due to a bowel or bladder problem? How often does this


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happen?

Do you lose control of bowels or bladder due to fits or seizures?

Do you have to change clothes or bedding following accidents?

If you use an aid such as a catheter or stoma bag, does this leak?

Do you need to be close to a toilet to reduce the risk of accidents? Has this restricted your daily life and ability to go out? (You need to explain the degree of risk - If you are anxious that you may have an accident when it is not something that ever happens you are unlikely to be considered at risk of incontinence.)

10. Staying conscious when awake This question is about fits, seizures, diabetic hypos and similar conditions that may cause you to become unconscious, confused or disoriented, or have reduced awareness of your surroundings. It does not cover falling asleep because you are tired.


Do you have fits or seizures? How often?

Do you have absences? if so how often do these happen?

Do you faint or pass out?

Do you become confused or have reduced awareness or distorted vision because of a condition such as diabetic hypos or severe migraines, even if you don’t actually lose consciousness?

Do you have delusions or hallucinations?

Pages 14-17 of the questionnaire: part 2 mental, cognitive and intellectual capabilities

This part of the form is relevant to people with conditions such as mental health problems, learning disabilities, autism, brain injury, dementia or neurological conditions.

11. Learning how to do tasks

This question is about ability to learn and remember how to do everyday tasks. If you can only do tasks with prompting or help from another person, tick ‘no’.


Do you have difficulty learning to use common appliances such as a mobile phone, microwave or television remote control?

When using an appliance such as a microwave or washing machine, do you just stick to using the same programme/setting every time because you don’t understand the different settings?

Would you be able to understand all the tasks involved in using a washing machine, including sorting laundry and checking the instructions on garment labels?


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Do people have to explain things to you repeatedly, because you have difficulty remembering what you have been told?

Do you get distracted or lose concentration when trying to learn things?

Do you manage to learn tasks that particularly interest you, but struggle with learning other everyday tasks?

Did you have extra support at school or college, or attend a special school or college for people with learning disabilities?

You could give examples of times when things have gone wrong because you had difficulty learning a task, e.g. if you broke something or injured yourself.

12. Awareness of hazards or danger This question is about whether you can understand and remember common dangers. It is not about sight or hearing problems, or physical difficulties.


Do you forget, or not understand, that certain things are dangerous e.g. boiling water, cooker, sharp knives, poisons?

Do you lack awareness of road safety?

Do you have to be prevented from accessing potentially dangerous things (for example, do carers keep certain items locked away or have to restrain you from touching dangerous things)?

Do you behave on impulse and only later realise how much danger there was?

Do you always need to be supervised, for example can you never be left home alone?

Have you had accidents or near misses because of not understanding dangers?

13. Starting and finishing tasks This question is about whether you can plan, begin and complete simple daily tasks in a timely and appropriate manner. If someone else has to encourage or prompt you to start or complete simple tasks, explain this. Examples of things you could write about

Do you lack motivation to do things because of depression or a similar condition?

Do you tend to stay in bed late, stay in pyjamas or wear the same clothes for several days, or go for days without washing yourself or brushing teeth?

Do you tend to skip meals?


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Have other people commented or tried to encourage you to look after yourself better?

Do you often give up tasks before completing them, because you are distracted or fatigued?

Do you neglect your home surroundings? For example, feeling that you ‘can’t be bothered’ to tidy or do dishes because you are depressed?

Do you take a long time to perform tasks, or do them in a non-standard way, because of a mental health condition or learning disability? For example, taking longer because you keep wanting to stop and wash your hands.

Do you need help or prompting to perform tasks to an acceptable standard? Do you get confused about what order to do things?

Do you think that you have completed tasks properly, but other people think you haven’t completed them to an acceptable standard? For example, getting dressed but wearing dirty clothes.

If things don’t go to plan when performing a simple task, can you adapt your plans or do you get upset or struggle to continue? For example, if you were getting dressed and couldn’t find the shirt you wanted to wear, would you get frustrated or upset and give up?

If you have pets or children, do you need help from someone else to look after them,

because you are unable to do it yourself?

14. Coping with changes

This question is about your ability to cope with changes or unexpected situations.


Do you have a rigid routine, for example wanting to always eat breakfast at the same time and drink out of the same cup? If you can’t follow your routine do you get upset, have a meltdown or get angry?

Do you have to ‘psych yourself up’ for events such as an appointment or outing?

Would you be upset if the time of an appointment or outing was changed?

Would you be upset if something didn’t go to plan, for example, if a bus was late or had to go a different way because of roadworks?

Do you get anxious if things happen later or earlier than planned?

15. Going out

This question is about ability to cope mentally and emotionally with going out. It is not about physical problems with mobility. Examples of things you could write about

Does going out makes you very anxious, panicky or distressed?

Do you leave your home very rarely, or only for essential journeys such as medical


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appointments?

Do you sometimes have to cancel planned outings, or abandon outings and return home because you are too upset or anxious to continue?

If your condition varies, are you only able to go out on a ‘good day’? Explain the proportion of good and bad days.

Are you unable to go out at certain times of day (for example, rush hour or in the dark) because of anxiety?

Do you need to have someone with you when you go out? If you never go out alone, or if you only go out alone to familiar places, say so.

Do you find it difficult to understand or remember which way to go when following a journey? Do you get disoriented or confused?

Do you have difficulty asking for directions, or following simple spoken directions?

Would you get lost if you tried to follow a journey without help? Could this happen even in familiar areas?

If you get lost, would you panic or get into danger?

Are you vulnerable to being hurt or exploited by other people because you are too trusting of strangers?

Have you had to give up driving because you can no longer navigate safely?

Give examples of how difficulties going out affects your everyday life, for example, do you have all your groceries delivered because you can’t cope with going to the shop? Do you rely on taxis? Have you missed appointments or important occasions because you couldn’t safely get there?

16. Coping with social situations

This question looks at your ability to mix with other people face-to-face, including both people you know well and people you don’t know. Examples of things you could write about

Do you become distressed or anxious at the prospect of mixing with other people?

Do you get particularly anxious about meeting strangers?

Do you have panic attacks, or get tearful or upset in social situations? Describe what happens and how often it happens.

Do you tend to avoid social activities or meeting people? Have you given up social activities which you previously enjoyed, or lost touch with friends or relatives due to your difficulties with social situations?

Do you refuse to answer the telephone or ignore knocks at the door?

Can you only cope with social situations if you are accompanied? If someone accompanies you, explain how this helps and what they do.

Do you have a lot of difficulty with understanding or remembering how to behave appropriately in social situations?


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Do you find it very tiring to engage with other people, or need to rest afterwards?

17. Behaving appropriately This question is about whether you behave inappropriately because of your disability or health condition. The wording in the assessment refers to “uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in any workplace”. Disinhibited behaviour could include a wide range of behaviour that isn’t aggressive but is considered inappropriate for an adult in public, such as crying uncontrollably or having a meltdown, lying on the floor, singing, swearing or talking loudly to yourself, or removing clothing.


Do you have difficulty managing anger because of your disability or health condition? For example, do you sometimes lose your temper and shout or swear, or threaten people?

Have you ever hit, slapped, kicked or spat at someone because of your disability?

Do you cry uncontrollably or have meltdowns?

Do you take or damage things that don’t belong to you, and can’t help doing this?

Do you behave in other ways that may upset or embarrass other people, because you don’t understand what is appropriate or can’t prevent yourself from doing these things?

Have you got into trouble because of your behaviour e.g. do you have a criminal record or have your been dismissed from jobs?

Page 18 of the questionnaire: part 3 eating and drinking

This question is about whether you are able to get food and drink to your mouth, chew and swallow it without being helped or prompted by another person. Examples of things you could write about

Do you experience breathlessness or discomfort when chewing and swallowing?

Do you spill and drop a lot of food? Do you have to wear a bib or often have to change clothes after eating? Do you get a lot of food on your face?

Are you reluctant to eat (even if food is placed in front of you) because of a condition such as anorexia or depression?

Do you play with food or make a mess with it because of a learning disability, dementia or a mental health condition?

Pages 19 to 20 of the questionnaire: face to face assessment


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The first question asks you to describe any help you may need or access requirements if you attend a face-to-face consultation. Face to face assessments were suspended for 3 months from 23 March due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic . The 3 month suspension was extended in July and remains in place. This is under regular review and may change if necessary.


Do you have difficulty with stairs? Venues should have lifts, although there are some that don’t, and if you would be unable to use stairs in an emergency you should be allocated a venue that is on the ground floor.

Do you need an interpreter for your consultation?

Do you need to have a home visit, because it would it be too difficult for you to travel to an assessment centre? (Bear in mind that claimants attending assessment centres may have to travel for up to 90 minutes to get there.) You will probably need to provide a supporting letter from a medical professional explaining why a home visit is needed and it may take longer to get an assessment.

If you are unable to use public transport it is possible to get a taxi to the assessment centre and have your fares reimbursed. To do this you will need a supporting letter from a medical professional explaining why you are unable to use public transport

Do you need to have an appointment at a particular time of day because of your medical condition, for example, if your condition is worse at certain times of day?

Is there a risk that you could behave inappropriately or aggressively during the consultation, for example, because of mental health problems?

On page 20, give any dates when you wouldn’t be able to attend a face-to-face assessment. If a relative or friend is going to come with you, make sure to give any dates they are unavailable as well.

Page 21 of the questionnaire: other information

On this page, you can add any relevant information which there wasn’t space for elsewhere. Examples of things you could write about:

If you think that your health could be at risk if you have to look for work or take part in work related activity, explain why. For example, some people with mental health problems may find that being told to look for work increases stress or anxiety.

If you are at risk of self-harm or suicide, explain here. This is a sensitive area but it is important that you do not shy away from providing details of how you feel.

Explain if someone else’s health or safety could be at risk if you have to look for work or take part in work related activity. For example, if you have problems with anger management because of a mental health problem, or if your behaviour on journeys or in a workplace could endanger someone else.

If you have a carer, you could say how much time they spend looking after you, for


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example, if the council has arranged for carers to visit you twice a day you should make this clear. Or maybe a family member assists or supervises you throughout the day and can only leave you for short periods. Don’t worry if you don’t have anyone helping you. It is still possible to pass the assessment if you don’t get help from anyone else.

If your condition has been getting worse, or if it is expected to deteriorate significantly in future, explain this.

Writing about extra costs, or how much you need the extra money, won’t increase your chance of passing the assessment.

Page 22 of the questionnaire: declaration

At the end of the form, sign and date the declaration to confirm that the information you have given is correct and complete.

Page 24 of the questionnaire: cancer treatment

This section should be completed by a healthcare professional if you are having, waiting for or recovering from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Do I need to send supporting evidence with the form?

It is not essential to send additional evidence but it can often be very helpful. See page 5 of the form for examples of the types of evidence that may be helpful. At this stage it is usually best to focus on evidence that you already have, because seeking additional evidence could cause delays. More weight is normally given to evidence that was written recently, within the last year or so, but older documents can still be helpful sometimes. Before sending in any evidence read it through carefully and consider whether it is likely to be helpful for your claim. Send copies (not originals, as the DWP won’t return them) and make a note on page 21 or on an additional sheet, of the evidence you have provided. Remember there is a deadline for returning the form. Don’t delay sending it because you are waiting to get evidence. If necessary, you can put a note in the ‘other information’ box on the form to say you are seeking more evidence and will send it in when it is available.

Sending off the form

After completing your form, you may find it helpful to put it aside for a day or so and then read through your answers to check them (provided that you are not going to miss the deadline by doing this!) You may find that you think of extra information that you missed the first time round.

Post your form (and evidence, if appropriate) in the envelope provided. If you post your form at a post office, you can get a free proof of posting receipt.


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We recommend that you keep a copy of your form and any supporting evidence that you send in, if possible.

After returning the form

After you return your completed form, an independent health professional from the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments will look at it. The health professional may decide to seek further information from one of the professionals you have named on your form or they may phone you to ask for additional information.

You will probably be invited to attend a face-to-face consultation with the health professional, who will then send a report to the DWP. The DWP will then decide whether you satisfy the test based on the outcome of your assessment, your claim form and any additional evidence you have sent in.

Sometimes, a decision can be made based on the paperwork alone, without a face-to-face consultation. This may happen if it is clear from the form and any evidence that you should pass the assessment, for example, if you are severely disabled. Face to face assessments were suspended for 3 months from 23 March. This suspension was extended in July and remains in place at present subject to review. Where reassessments are necessary these are likely to be based on paperwork alone. In these cases it is even more important to provide as much detail as possible about your condition on the questionnaire and where possible provide further medical evidence and /or supporting statements from someone who knows about you and your condition e.g. family member or carer. If you are not happy with the outcome of your claim, you can challenge the DWP’s decision - seek advice.

We hope you have found this factsheet, useful. If you have any comments to make about content – things you would like to see or other changes you think we should make, please let us know on [email protected] Unfortunately, we can’t assist with individual benefit queries – please see list of advice agencies below.

Further help and advice

Jobcentre enquiries line 0800 1690310 Universal credit helpline 0800 328 5644 Centre for Health and Disability Assessments 0800 288 8777.

Citizens Advice (CA) 0344 4111 444

mailto:[email protected]


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Online information: www.adviceguide.org.uk Information about local CA and opening times: www.hcas.org.uk How you can contact Hertfordshire County Council Our website Information about adult social care – find about care services, day centres and apply online for meals on wheels or a Blue Badge. You can also comment, compliment and complain. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/adults

Hertfordshire Directory

Find national and local community groups, charities, services and activities

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/directory HertsHelp Independent information and advice on local community services and care funding Telephone: 0300 123 4044 Minicom: 0300 456 2364 Email: [email protected] Contact us For information on how to get care and support

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0300 123 4042 Textphone: 0300 123 4041

British Sign Language (BSL) video interpreting service available Monday to

Friday 8am-6pm.

Drop in To your local library – see www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries If you are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of abuse or neglect Call us on 0300 123 4042 (24 hours a day)

If you need help to understand Call 0300 123 4042 if you would like help to understand this information or need it in a different

format. You can also ask to speak to someone in your own language.

Calls to 0300 cost no more than a national rate call to a 01 or 02 number

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/

http://www.hcas.org.uk/

http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/adults

http://www.hertsdirect.org/directory



https://sv2.me/public_access.php?hash=693659883e81f9dd58f48213a55e16ec

http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries

https://sv2.me/public_access.php?hash=693659883e81f9dd58f48213a55e16ec


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This information is correct at time of print. It is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement

of the law

guide to completing esa50 or uc50 - hertfordshire · 0800 169 0310 if you are claiming esa. if you...

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