ESA Interview with JCP 'Personal Advisor';

SimIsOnTheUp

Hi,

I had an appointment at the Jobcentre Plus yesterday, which I couldn't make because I was ill.

Having already postponed an appt from last week due to illness, I wanted to keep yesterday's, but just couldn't as I've had some awful side affects from a new anti - depressant / anti - anxiety medication, and I felt too shaky to go out. (I struggle with agoraphobia, anxiety, depression and I'm a recovering alcoholic, newly into sobriety.)

Embarrassingly, I couldn't call them (phone restricted until Friday when I can pay my bill) so I emailed ahead of time (by just over an hour before *cringe*) to the main Job centre email address. I just hope that they forwarded on to my local Job centre.

Am so stressed out about all this now.

My worry is twofold.

1 / My Doctor's note ran out yesterday, and I was only able to arrange a Doctor's note to cover me from yesterday - next week, yesterday afternoon. I'm off to the Doc's to collect this today.

As my Employment and Support Allowance is due to hit my account this Friday, I think the DWP at Walsall make the payment from their end today / tonight.

My Doctor's note (covering me up until yesterday), was only sent last Friday, so has hopefully reached them by now.

I'm just worried that it might not have done. Even if it has got to them today, as far as they're concerned, I'm not covered from yesterday onwards. So, I'm getting very wobbly over whether or not they're going to pay me as normal this Friday.

I did call the DWP at Walsall on yesterday morning (just before my phone was restricted - why oh why do they insist on using a flippin' 0845 number?!) I told them about the Doc's note, and that it should reach them by Friday.

Sorry guys, I'm wittering. I tend to do this when I feel shaky.

2 / I'm now worried that 'cos I didn't attend the appt at the Job centre yesterday, my ESA will now be reduced (according to the original appt letter). Do they do this, after people have already postponed one appt / then not turned up?

Need a bath to calm it.

Then going to try and force myself out, to collect the Doctor's note, and possibly go and see them at the JCP if I can sort my head out.

Thanks,

Sim x

dmg24

There is a very simple answer to this, that you should have done yesterday - borrow a phone and call them! I don't know which email address you used, but the chances of it being relayed to your advisor any time soon are low.

SimIsOnTheUp

dmg24 wrote: »

There is a very simple answer to this, that you should have done yesterday - borrow a phone and call them! I don't know which email address you used, but the chances of it being relayed to your advisor any time soon are low.

Thanks dmg24,

I forced myself out this afternoon.

Got my Doctor's note sent off.

Then went to the JCP, and apologised for not making it yesterday.

All was ok. They rebooked for tomorrow, and reiterated the importance of showing up which is fair enough.

They checked on their system, and phoned through to Walsall to double check re my ESA. Apparently, they were paying up until this Friday as normal, and they'd wait for the Doctor's note to reach them.

A big relief

Feel good for achieving something today.

Thanks again,

Sim.