Salford Advice and Information Network

Employment Support Allowance

ESA 50 Form Filling

Aims of Course

• To identify descriptors to fit client needs• To look at when completing forms what health

care professionals and appeal tribunals look for

• Look at Exceptional Circumstances and Regulation 35

Employment Support Allowance The Process

• Client makes a claim for ESA• 13 week assessment phase• During assessment phase receives ESA50• There is a time limit on returning ESA 50 –

highlighted on accompanying letter• Following return of ESA 50 will attend a

medical with a healthcare professional to be assessed for ESA

• Decision made on claim

The Decision

• Client placed in Work Related Activity Group (can Challenge in one Month)

• Client placed in Support Group• Client refused Benefit (can Challenge in 1

month)

The Descriptors

• The descriptors are made up with regards to specific problems a person may have with physical and/or mental health issues which affect their daily life

• A claimant has to score a minimum of 15 points from one or a combination of both sets of descriptors (see hand-out)

The ESA 50

• The ESA 50 is a medical questionnaire to be completed during the assessment phase, and precedes a medical assessment with a healthcare professional.

Client Details

Face to Face Assessment

About Your Ilnesses

Medication

About your treatment

Drugs & Alcohol

Case Study

• Mrs Hippy has physical problems, mainly in the lower limbs being arthritis in her knees and feet and her walking is limited to about 30 – 40 metres before she has to stop due to the pain

• Se watches TV most nights and can watch Emmerdale, then stands up and has a stretch then sits down and will watch corrie, then has to stand up again

• Using the descriptors score sheet how may points will she get

Mobilising

Using Steps

Standing and sitting

Reaching

Picking Up and Moving Things

Manual Dexterity

Communicating with people

Commuication with you

Getting around safely

Case Study

• Miss Hap has Irritable Bowel Syndrome and has soiled herself but this is infrequent but in the main when she feels a need to go is able to get to a toilet

• She also has epilepsy and has a seizure once a month when she loses consciousness for approximately 60 seconds and is not aware of her surroundings this happens at night whilst asleep

• How many points is she likely to score

Controlling Bowels and Bladder

Staying conscious when awake

Mental Health

• Cognitive and Intellectual functions

Learning how to do tasks

Awareness of Hazards or Danger

Starting and Finishing Tasks

Coping With Change

Case Study

• Dave is 56 and has anxiety and depression which can cause panic attacks

• He goes to Tesco's with his brother shopping but is unable to go any where he is not familiar with as he panics

• Would Dave score any points under descriptor 15

Getting About

Coping with Social Situations

Behaving appropriately

Eating and Drinking

Other Information

Any Questions