charles shepherd
Senior Member
- Messages
- 2,239
Updating and improving the ESA 50 Form for ESA applications
As people are probably already aware, the MEA belongs to the DWP fluctuating conditions group (FCG), which advises the DWP and medical assessment organisations on benefit issues - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) assessments in particular
The DWP has been working with the fluctuating conditions and mental health groups to update and improve the ESA50 form
The new form is now in circulation and can be downloaded from the DWP website here
No ESA50 form has had this level of customer insight devoted to it and the new form contains some significant improvements
Major changes to the form include:
·Colour coding the mental health section so it is clearly separate from the physical conditions section. This will help ESA applicants to only complete the sections that are relevant to their conditions.
·Emphasising that applicants can include information on fluctuating conditions - such as ME/CFS
·Including the Reliably, Repeatedly and Safely disclaimer on every assessment page - something which the FCG has consistently campaigned on
·Providing more information on what medical evidence is helpful, including a reference to Hospital Passports
The FCG recommended that a semi structured interview (SSSI) should be incorporated into the ESA assessment process and this work is now completed
The Semi Structured Interview training and guide has now been approved by DWP
This has gone into production and will be on the desk of every CHDA health care professional to try and ensure that fluctuating conditions, including ME/CFS, are properly assessed
Feedback on both the new ESA50 form and the SSI is welcome
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, MEA
Member of the DWP Fluctuating Conditions Group
As people are probably already aware, the MEA belongs to the DWP fluctuating conditions group (FCG), which advises the DWP and medical assessment organisations on benefit issues - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) assessments in particular
The DWP has been working with the fluctuating conditions and mental health groups to update and improve the ESA50 form
The new form is now in circulation and can be downloaded from the DWP website here
No ESA50 form has had this level of customer insight devoted to it and the new form contains some significant improvements
Major changes to the form include:
·Colour coding the mental health section so it is clearly separate from the physical conditions section. This will help ESA applicants to only complete the sections that are relevant to their conditions.
·Emphasising that applicants can include information on fluctuating conditions - such as ME/CFS
·Including the Reliably, Repeatedly and Safely disclaimer on every assessment page - something which the FCG has consistently campaigned on
·Providing more information on what medical evidence is helpful, including a reference to Hospital Passports
The FCG recommended that a semi structured interview (SSSI) should be incorporated into the ESA assessment process and this work is now completed
The Semi Structured Interview training and guide has now been approved by DWP
This has gone into production and will be on the desk of every CHDA health care professional to try and ensure that fluctuating conditions, including ME/CFS, are properly assessed
Feedback on both the new ESA50 form and the SSI is welcome
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, MEA
Member of the DWP Fluctuating Conditions Group