ESA 5 mouth long Nightmare HELP

1981cresham

Ok im not even really sure where to start here as so much has happend and so many mistakes mead and false info give by sso.

In March of this year my mother had her I.S removed due to kid being over the age for it (with them new rules) so she was told via letter that she would have to go on esa WHICH WAS FINE AND GOT TH BALL ROLLING ON THAT. But then she went to Lurgan sso regards this and other matters and was told by them that due to the fact she has a very bad physical disability. She sould never have been took off IS and that she needs to appel to be removed from esa and put back on IS. So as this was told to her by the sso office she took it has fact and started the appel (now she was ment to go to a medical but agin lurgan sso said with an appel on going she did not have to go) which was again false info given to her. As it turns out Lurgan sso told her wrong when they said she sould not have to go on esa but get back on IS and not to go to med due to appel.

As a reslut of them give wrong info to my mother and her following what she was told she lost her ESA housing benefit everything.She had then to appel esa to try and get it back and this has been on going for mouths. Lurgan sso put their hands up and said they got it wrong but cant do anything to fix this mess. As a reslut mums had no payments from the 9th of march and no rent paid.

Everytime we ring or get onto them we are met with shut doors and false promise of call backs. No one seems to know whats going on or care will not give any updates on whats happen or what to do.

she now faces losing her home as the landord says 5 mouths is to long with no rent and we fully understand that as he has been great so far..

I know this has went on abit and dont think im explaining the best but no good at this

she has been to cab who helpped her.

But was wondering could anyone help with info or anything that may help to sort this royal mess out. Iv did all i can but being met with shut doors leaves me not knowing where to turn for help to fix this for her

andyandflo

Hi with those problems and the dire way she is in, I would be doing the following:

1. email her MP, and go and see him at his next local surgery.
2. Tell CAB that this has to be sorted.
3. If there is a Welfare Rights officer at your local council - get in there.
4. Check if there is a DIAL closeby - go and see them.
5. Put all of these complaints/story in a letter form and send it to the JC+ demanding that something is done without any delay, with a copy being sent/taken to her MP.

1981cresham

Thank you for the fast reply to my post.

Was not sure if I had explained it very well with it being such a mess.

What is DAIL?

dmg24

andyandflo wrote: »

Hi with those problems and the dire way she is in, I would be doing the following:

1. email her MP, and go and see him at his next local surgery.
2. Tell CAB that this has to be sorted.
3. If there is a Welfare Rights officer at your local council - get in there.
4. Check if there is a DIAL closeby - go and see them.
5. Put all of these complaints/story in a letter form and send it to the JC+ demanding that something is done without any delay, with a copy being sent/taken to her MP.

You need to do one of these - not all five! Involving more than one advisory agency will only get their backs up, and you could end up with no help.

DIAL is a disability advisory service, but they do not have any offices in NI.

andyandflo

dmg24 wrote: »

You need to do one of these - not all five! Involving more than one advisory agency will only get their backs up, and you could end up with no help.

DIAL is a disability advisory service, but they do not have any offices in NI.

I'm sorry but in the main I would not agree completely with you. There is nothing wrong in contacting your MP, getting to grips with the DWP and yes seeking help from outside services.

In my many ESA problems, I have approached all of these + DWP, Parliamentary Under Secretary, CAB & DIAL. all at the same time relating to the same problem. At least it would show that you are serious about your complaint and that it needs sorting, one way or another, and it doesn't matter by whom!

Do you honestly say that if you contact more than one out of the list you might end up with no one helping you because they might feel aggrieved?

speedfreek1000

andyandflo wrote: »

I'm sorry but in the main I would not agree completely with you. There is nothing wrong in contacting your MP, getting to grips with the DWP and yes seeking help from outside services.

In my many ESA problems, I have approached all of these + DWP, Parliamentary Under Secretary, CAB & DIAL. all at the same time relating to the same problem. At least it would show that you are serious about your complaint and that it needs sorting, one way or another, and it doesn't matter by whom!

Do you honestly say that if you contact more than one out of the list you might end up with no one helping you because they might feel aggrieved?

I agree you need to complain or this will happen to another. You will not get anybodies back up as it will more than likely stop any of their shenanigans because you will now have to be treated correctly and as you deserve.

If the complaint to the DWP gets nowhere have a look at escalating that to ICE (Independent Case Examiner)

http://www.ind-case-exam.org.uk

The Independent Case Examiner aims to make a difference to the lives of individuals through the fair examination of their complaints by acting as a catalyst for change to improve the customer service of the Agencies/Businesses with which we are associated.

NASA_2

DWP dont administrate benefits in Northern Ireland.

The ESA Centre has a customer services team who get involved when claims have an ongoing complaint registered. I would advise getting in touch with your MLA of choice and they have a hotline to the centre. Things usually move quickly when an MLA's office gets involved. That is assuming that there is something that can be done.