If you're sending the form back late

You have to send your form back within 28 days of getting it. You can find the date you need to return it on the letter that came with the form. 

If you don’t, the DWP will usually decide you’re fit for work and will stop your claim.

If you’re late sending back the form you must still fill it in and send it as soon as you can. If you have a good reason for the form being late, the DWP might decide to accept it.

If the DWP have already written to say you can’t get ESA, you’ll need to challenge their decision and send your ESA50 form. You should do this within 1 month after the date at the top of the letter - find out how to challenge the decision.

Tell the DWP why you’re late

Fill in the box and explain why you’re sending the form back late. Include as much detail as you can about why the form’s late, for example if:

• you’ve been in hospital

• you had an emergency at home

• you had a bereavement

Next steps

Medical evidence

Back to Help filling in your ESA form