ESA, Desperate help needed!

NASA_2

amber1979 wrote: »

I obviously haven't made it clear: I have no idea if my partner recieved the letter or not. He is also unlikely to know this.

I have never seen the letter, nor am I likely too.

Apologies if this wasn't made clear.

Fair enough, you need to establish whether it was received by him, though if the letter was sent, and there are no established problems with the post in your area, then it is usually taken as being received.

If it is a mental health incapacity then they may have also taken 'safeguard' action which means that they phone and try to contact the person that didnt attend.

amber1979

NASA wrote: »

Fair enough, you need to establish whether it was received by him, though if the letter was sent, and there are no established problems with the post in your area, then it is usually taken as being received.

If it is a mental health incapacity then they may have also taken 'safeguard' action which means that they phone and try to contact the person that didnt attend.

Assuming that the postal rule still operates, I can't imagine that it makes much difference if he got the letter or not. Does it still?

They didn't try to ring - his contact number is my mobile number. That much I can control.

Starting to wonder if life would be easyier if I handed in my notice tommorow.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have recently received a letter to attend a medical. However, the letter was confirmation of the arrangement made via telephone.

ATOS initially contacted me by telephone & I asked them to send me the arrangements in writing.

Maybe, if your sure neither of you have answered a phone call from ATOS, deny ever receiving any letter? It wasn't sent recorded delivery or hand delivered, so ATOS couldn't dispute your claim for the letter never arriving at your home.

I've had letters delivered to my house for someone who lives quite a distance from me & I suspect that other people have received letters addressed to me by mistake also.

Obviously the ball is in your court. However, think carefully about your options before rushing to contact DWP or ATOS. Make sure you have your story straight and you are calm when you contact them.


NB* I'm not suggesting the OP should lie to DWP or ATOS. I don't know the full circumstances. I'm just proposing a possibilty.

amber1979

Thank you, I think that may be our only hope. I'll also make it clear that we'd very much like to arrange another appointment.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

As I said, make sure your calm and collected when you telephone. Also remember to be on the ball and make sure you think carefully before answering any questions they may have when you telephone them.

Good luck! I'm sure it'll work out ok.

celinepatricia

Hi Amber, my husband also missed his medical, not his fault but mine. I had wrote it on the calendar for the day after.
I told them the truth and they reinstated his ESA and sent us another date for the medical. If you dont think he recieved the letter
tell them this, they cant prove if it was delivered or not. Obviously, you are not going to miss an appointment when it means that you lose
benefit.

amber1979

Thank you Celine. We'll be doing that tommorow.

Does anybody know if we would be better writing or phoning them?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

amber1979 wrote: »

Does anybody know if we would be better writing or phoning them?

You could do both. Same goes for any new appointment time. Get it confirmed over the telephone in writing.

CouponWoman

Amber, if your partners benefit is stopped you can ask for a review. Go with your partner to his GP and explain how forgetful he is, is could be his condition or his medication that makes him vague and forgetful.

He has not done this on purpose, he can not help it. His GP might be willing to give you a letter explaining your partners problems and then you can ask them to arrange another appointment direct with you. Of course, you would need to make sure you go with him to his appointment or he might just not go.

When you or your partner filled in the medical questionnaire you should have detailed these kinds of problems so they would then be aware of these kinds of things and could take this into consideration.

Good luck

jellybaby1969

Amber i know its a trying period for you but relax... If your partner completes the form stating that the appointment letter wasnt received in general if its the 1st missed appointment good cause will be accepted by the decision makers.