Completing the form

Benefit forms can be long and complicated. Here are some general suggestions which you may find helpful.

Give yourself time to focus on the form

Your form will often be date-stamped, and give you a date when you need to return it by. The benefit may be back-dated (you get payment from the date you made the claim not from the date of the decision). Although you need to complete it within the time limit, don’t rush filling it in. The answers you give could make the difference between getting, or not getting, a benefit that supports your needs.
 

Tackle the form in sections and use pencil first

The forms are long and can feel daunting, so break the task into sections. Complete the form in pencil first so that you can change anything after you have written it. Perhaps come back to the form the next day so you can look at it with fresh eyes. Imagine you are the person reading and assessing your form. Would you get a clear understanding of all the ways in which this person’s epilepsy affects their everyday life?
 

Be honest

Some of the questions cover things which may seem very personal or embarrassing, such as going to the toilet, or washing and dressing yourself. It is important to honestly describe any difficulties you have with these tasks. These may be difficulties which your partner, family, or close friends don’t even know about, but it’s really important to provide a complete, and clear, picture of all aspects of your daily living. Remember that it will be a professional reading your form. They need to understand fully how your condition affects you in order to assess your situation, and make an accurate decision on your claim, so that you get the help that you need.
 

Use words that work for you

Don’t worry about using the correct ‘medical jargon’ when describing things – use whatever words you would normally use. If you know a medical name for the types of seizure you have, you can use it, but it is more important to describe what happens to you. This is because not everyone’s seizures will be the same, and assessors reading your form may not know about seizure types. For example, if you use the term ‘tonic clonic seizures’, also say ‘this means that the following happens to me in my seizures…’ Likewise, if your medication gives you ‘the runs’ or ‘a runny tummy’ then it’s OK to say that instead of ‘diarrhoea’.
 

Be clear and explain your epilepsy

Remember that the person reading the form may not know much about epilepsy, nor understand how epilepsy can affect someone’s life. Also, every individual living with epilepsy will have their own experience. Something that affects you may not have the same impact on someone else. Explain what your epilepsy is like and how it affects you. Think of a ‘bad day’ when you have had a seizure and write about what happened. Also include what could have happened, such as if you had injured yourself or been in a dangerous situation.
 

Use a seizure diary

If you keep a diary of your seizures, this might help to show how often you have seizures and what happens.

Give as much relevant information as possible

Think about your everyday routine: what you do, what you would like to do, and how your epilepsy affects this. If you need to use extra sheets of paper for your answers, put your name and reference number on each sheet, and attach them firmly. Answer all questions fully and repeat information each time it is relevant. Do not assume that the person reading the form will remember how you have answered one question when reading the next. Imagine that a different person reads each answer on your form separately. Would they be able to understand each answer as it stands on its own?
 

Provide additional information if the form asks for it

This might be medical information (such as a clinic letter or a psychological report) from your doctors, or information from a social worker or occupational therapist, for example. Keep a copy of all this information for your own records.
 

Talk it through with someone

Your friends or family may also be able to help you work out what you want to say in your form. They might be able to remind you of situations where your epilepsy has affected your daily living. If you find it difficult to describe something, you could practise what you want to say with someone else before writing it on the form. If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know about some questions, then perhaps speak to a professional from an organisation which offers help with filling in benefit forms. Although our helpline cannot fill in the forms for you, talking it through may help you to work out what you want to say on your forms.

See ‘Organisations that can help’ or call our helpline.
 

Check your completed form

Does it make sense when you read it all together?

Have you used examples to explain how your epilepsy affects you? Remember, try to focus on how your epilepsy makes things difficult, rather than on how well you are coping with your epilepsy.
 

Keep a photocopy of your form

Keeping a copy of your form means you can refer to it at a later date, or use it to help you fill in other forms. This is particularly helpful when it comes to noting the dates of when things happened. It can also be helpful if you need to ask for your claim to be reconsidered or if you need to appeal against a decision. Appeals may have a higher success rate than initial applications. Also, if your condition changes and you need to reapply for your benefit, you can use your original form for comparison, to make it quicker to fill in new forms. If possible, get ‘Proof of Posting’ from the Post Office when you send in your form. This is a free service and is helpful if there are any queries about when your application was sent and received.

Information produced: November 2024