ESA stopped/suspended

Katz_69

Well i finally got to speak to so called "claim advisor" at DSS office. He has assured me it is just a "glich" and the agency are inundated with appeals galore due to the "chaotic medical points scoring and the general questions, not specifically designed for individuals" he advised i keep sending in my sick notes from doctor and benefit will resume once appeal forms are acknowledged. Went to my own doctor who informed me, he has been instructed NOT to issue ANY FURTHER sick notes.

Are the DSS serious about ensuring people are fit for work.

Have been told by hospital it will cost £10 for a copy of my records. Doctor advised the medical centre will charge £96 for report detailing condition.

MY notes, on MY CONDITION and they want ME to pay.

There is no way it costs that for somebody to type in my hospital number and click on the print button. I would even go in and collect them at a time suitable to them to avoid a big postage.

Data protection yeah all well and good, but to the person the data is about, downright daft to say the least.

Still having to wait for acknowledgement, claim advisor reckons 7 - 14 days. And then due to the backlog in appeals system 6 - 9 months.

One bit of advise from claim advisor - as long as i have given ALL my details and ALL the points i disagree with the appeal DOES NOT have to be on the issued form, a letter is good enough. And the space provided on the form is never enough anyway.

jennilb

Hi

I've had this same problem with my GP. The DWP sends a standard letter that says (sorry I can't find the copy my GP printed out so this is paraphrasing).

'We have assessed your patient on X date (date of medical) and found them to be fit for work. You don't need to write any more sick notes for them from Y date (date of decision letter.)

You may need to continue giving them sick notes if they appeal the decision, if they get a new condition or if their condition significantly worsens.'

I phoned the benefits helpline and they said this mean the GP can still write sick notes if you have appealed and my GP was wrong to say 'this is the last sick note I'm writing you because, it doesn't matter what I might think about your illness, the DWP have said I can't write more sick notes and I wont until you get this sorted'.

The lady on the helpline said they can talk to the GP / write to them if necessary. It does say on the bottom of the letter that if the GP has questions they should phone them.

Once I get the 'appeal recieved' letter from the DWP (I had one before by accident so I know what it says) I'll be showing it to my GP as it specifically says you have to carry on providing sick notes.

So, depending on when your sick note runs out, if you can wait til that 'appeal recieved' letter then show it to them and see what they say. If not, you could see if the GP will ring the benefits office, consider putting in a complaint using the practise complaint's policy and involve your MP - they can't challenge the DWP decision but they can help where processes aren't being followed.

Good luck. Glad they accepted your appeal letter. I submitted my appeal (on the form with extra sheets) on Friday. I know the rules say they should accept letters but they didn't in my case and the rules say a lot of things they haven't done for me so I am always a bit warey until things actually happen.

Hope this helps
Jenni

Katz_69

So far i have found out that the claim advisor says one thing, the benefit section says another, the medical assessment centre refuse to comment or give me any info, including who carried out my assessment, and the benefits helpline give you totally diff advice. Then the CaB differ again. And Tax crecits say something else.

Aren't ALL benefit sections working from the same pc database or guidelines.

I know my local council is bad enough not knowing their backside from their elbow, but the DSS always say "just loading your file" as if it's the same file in every bloody department, obviously not. So it's not just fighting against one bit you have to fight against them all separately.

So much for every department saying we are making the systems easier ........... For who ?? not the public that need them that's for sure.

Kat

klndesigns

I am going through the same thing, i have been signed of work since 13th jan 09 due to severe back pain from when i fell down the stairs, i have fought long and hard to get any help and now i am told my benefit has stopped because i received 0 points in my assesment. Zero points how on earth can that be when i can barely walk, stand or sit with out being in pain. I am in the process of writing my appeal letter and have been told by the ESA to take my appeal letter to the job centere so they can have it put on the system and then my money would be reinstated whilst the appeal goes through. I was told to still send in my sick notes as normal whilst the appeal goes through too. I think this is all wrong we should not have to go through all this at all. The government has got this process all wrong and we are the ones to suffer.
My 16 year old son helos me with the day to day housework as well helping me do the shopping as i am not able to carry any thing, i also do nto sleep well at night because of the pain and discomfort i go through on a daily and nightly basis. I am lucky to get to 100 metres at all with out being in pain, i can no longer go out on my own because not only do i need some one with me to hold onto i have had bouts of fainting which is very scary, i am waiting for a referral to the hospital for the pain clinic to see if they can help, i cannot be given certain medication which could help me because i am a kidney transplant patient and taking anti inflammatories is not an option.
All this disgusts me so much i am depressed because of it, I wish all those who are appealing the best of luck because we all need it My fingers are crossed not just for myself but for you all.