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ESA support group while receiving cancer treatment
Hi, hope someone can help. Client is getting C-ESA pending appeal, subsequently diagnosed and had surgery for cancer. She is about to start a course of radiotherapy. Rang the DWP to ask what to do to get her into the support group and was told her GP or specialist has to complete a DS 1500 form. Sorry for my ignorance, but I thought this was to notify a terminal condition? This doesn’t apply in this case as far as I’m aware. I’d be grateful for any advice, thanks.
Hi Ali, Ask the BDC to bend their neck and look past (a) in ESA Regs 20 & 35 and read (b)
DS1500 is indeed for confirmation of terminal illness. What you do need is an ESA50 - early in the form you are asked if cancer is currently your main condition and receiving treatment. Answer yes, get client to sign and get either GP or someone involved in the cancer treatment to fill in the back page to confirm treatment.
I would make sure you include a covering letter explaining that the diagnosis and treatment are currently the most urgent health problems and that you still consider the pre-existing conditions were sufficient to satisfy the WCA therefore want the appeal to go ahead regarding the period before diagnosis.
Julie
Thank you all for your help.