Complaints help, in Scotland

Lally

I am writing on behalf of my brother. And apologies upfront if I have any terminology wrong.

He first submitted his claim in June last year and the whole thing has been a shambles, he hasn't received a penny. He has a serious back complaint and was unable to work any longer. They (DWP I presume?) have lost sick lines, lost duplicates, referred him for medicals which they then cancelled and then said they wouldn't pay him any money as he didn't turn up. They seem to be trying to find ways not to pay him anything when he has been jumping through hoops for them.

He is dealing with Clyde & Fife at the moment who don't seem to have an office he can go to - I asked him to arrange a face to face appointment. This week they said he was in prison for a month in May which he was not, he has never been in any sort of trouble. Is it the norm to call up a prison and ask if anyone by a certain name has been in? It was sorted out when it was revealed the person had the same name, but not middle name or dob.

Also, one person he spoke to said they had his new sickline for the whole year. The next person said they didn't have it, only sporadic ones. The next person said they had none. This was in the space of 24 hours.

They now want to know how he has supported himself the last year. Short version is he has no life any more what with his back complaint and resulting depression. He never goes out, barely eats, he really is a shadow of his former self. He sold his car and sees none of his friends. He is back and forth to hospital and on a ridiculous amount of medication.

So, what can we do? Who can we complain to?

tcr_3

"Clyde & Fife" is a benefit delivery centre and most of them do not have public caller facilities. However, they will have a customer service manager and you can ask to speak to them. They might be able to make an appointment for you to drop into the local Job Centre in order to make your complaint.

If they're asking what your Brother has been living off, that suggests they're about to make an award of benefit ... they usually ask that if the money is going to be backdated. So you'll need to get back on the phone to them anyway, to explain that he's been living off fresh air, with the support of his friends & family.

Lally

Thanks very much tcr, that's hopeful. He got a letter written by my Gran to say she had given him some money, £100 or so every few months. I will get him to call them again.

Lally

Any ideas what we do about the medical appointment at Cadogan Street? They called him a couple of hours before the appointment to say the Doctor was off sick, so it was cancelled but they would arrange a new one in the near future. Apparently though, this never happened.... How does he get around this one?

Lally

bumppppppppppppp