I have been signed off ESA but no one from the DWP could be bothered to tell me

nashly

I phoned them up today to enquire something about my current claim only to be told that I was signed off from May 4th, dont they have to give you notice anymore as today was the first time I knew about this ?
Also makes me wonder if I had not phoned them when would I have found out !

CountryGuy

Did they say why they had stopped your claim?

If it was because you didn't send fit notes in that could be why, as the reminders do say if they don't receive a fit note (whatever they call it) they will assume you no longer want to claim.

MCGONIS

nashly wrote: »

I phoned them up today to enquire something about my current claim only to be told that I was signed off from May 4th, dont they have to give you notice anymore as today was the first time I knew about this ?
Also makes me wonder if I had not phoned them when would I have found out !

Hello.

Please don't be offended by what I say, it's just the title of your post seems to suggest DWP have done something wrong.

If you are sick, you go to the doctor and get a sick note. You know full well the dates that the doctor agree's and signs you off. It is discussed between you and doctor before he/she writes anything out.

If you want to stay away from work - then you make sure work has a sick note. No?

Then if DWP don't pay you, why is it their fault?

Sorry but am I missing something?

GAD161

Yes, you could well be missing something. It depends what nashly means by being 'signed off' ESA. You don't have to provide your own medical certificates once your claim has been assessed under the Work Capability Assessment. There has been a significant number of cases where claimants have had their ESA stopped because the DWP stated they had failed to turn up for a medical examination (usually reviews of existing awards) where the claimants were adamant that they had never received any notification of the medical. Now I am not naive enough to think that every such claim is genuine but many are and colleagues of mine have dealt with such cases. If that is the reason for nashly's ESA stopping then it would have nothing to do with his med cert expiring.

You need to find out why they have stopped your ESA and maybe give a bit more info before anyone can advise what to do. If it's because of the reason above you can appeal but may get things sorted out quicker by negotiating with the local office and trying to get a new WCA set up as quick as you can. If your ESA is stopped for this reason, you won't be paid ESA (basic rate) while waiting for your appeal to be heard (different from the situation if you appeal because you have failed your WCA) so you need to get it sorted quickly. ESA appeals are taking months to get to tribunal! If your ESA has been stopped for another reason, post it here as the advice you need will be different.

nashly

Sorry I should have included that my sick note from my gp runs until the end of May, apparently it was due to my atos medical I had two months ago, I still would have liked to have been told as I applied for JSA yesterday and they tell me to backdate to the 4th of May it will have to go before their adjudicator to decide whether I qualify !

CountryGuy

nashly wrote: »

Sorry I should have included that my sick note from my gp runs until the end of May, apparently it was due to my atos medical I had two months ago, I still would have liked to have been told as I applied for JSA yesterday and they tell me to backdate to the 4th of May it will have to go before their adjudicator to decide whether I qualify !

I've heard a few reports of people not being informed about their medical.

How is someone supposed to appeal within the time limit of 1 month if they aren't being notified within that time scale?

nashly

Well, surprise surprise after I phoned with my query yesyterday I received a letter stating I scored zero points and that's why they stopped my benefit on the 4th of May, are they not supposed to give me notice so at least I could plan my next course of action ?

Why do the DWP seem so incompetant.

CountryGuy

nashly wrote: »

Well, surprise surprise after I phoned with my query yesyterday I received a letter stating I scored zero points and that's why they stopped my benefit on the 4th of May, are they not supposed to give me notice so at least I could plan my next course of action ?

Why do the DWP seem so incompetant.

Phone them straight away and tell them you want to appeal.

healy

nashly wrote: »

Well, surprise surprise after I phoned with my query yesyterday I received a letter stating I scored zero points and that's why they stopped my benefit on the 4th of May, are they not supposed to give me notice so at least I could plan my next course of action ?

Why do the DWP seem so incompetant.

No they do not give any notice that you are going to fail, the letter you received is your notification. They stop the money from the date of the decision which is usually the date of the letter. There is obviously going to be a delay between the benefit being stopped and you receiving the letter but this is the standard procedure.

NickyBat

nashly wrote: »

Well, surprise surprise after I phoned with my query yesyterday I received a letter stating I scored zero points and that's why they stopped my benefit on the 4th of May, are they not supposed to give me notice so at least I could plan my next course of action ?

Why do the DWP seem so incompetant.

Why are you so quick to blame the DWP, the staff don't make the rules, they just have to work by them.
Maybe you should be complaining to your MP to get the system changed.

nashly

That's a good point, where can i find a copy of the rules regarding this ?
Also if i am lucky enough to find a job i take it i can choose when i tell the dwp ?