No ESA since 24th October2010!!!

neil298

Could anyone advise me on my situation please?
I am currently in-cast, recovering from a fractured scaphoid. I have been out of work since July 2011. I Have had to move home with my parents as a result of my financial predicament (rather than claim benefits for my rent and council tax)

When I applied for ESA, I asked for my payments to be backdated to the 24th October (The date my doctor's note covered me from) but STILL have not received payment of any kind.

A few weeks after this date I enquired as to the whereabouts of my payment and embarked on a nightmare....

First I was told that the claim had been rejected due to a late submission (The address I was given to send my application to was incorrect)

I then resubmitted newly filled out forms to the correct address, and waited another 2 weeks.

When I called up again, 2 weeks later, I was told that my case was being reviewed by a medical team, and to wait for the decision.

I received no contact.

Upon calling up again, I was told that I was required to attend a medical, and that I must wait for the appointment to be made, and that I would receive a notification by post. (Note that at this stage, I had undergone the operation and was in soft cast).

Not filled with confidence, I called up the jobcentre a few days later to find that- a medical was not required due to sufficient evidence that I qualified for ESA (I sent in many, many, doctors notes, and a copy of my discharge from the hosiptal.)

Running out of money and patience, I went back to the jobcentre to speak to someone about my situation. All I was offered was a piece of paper with a premiuim rate number to call, and I was turned away.

Now Desperate for money, I asked for the number for Crisis Loans, astonishingly, I was not allowed to call from the Jobcentre, so I went to a phone box and called the number.

According to the lady on the phone, I was not legible for a crisis loan because I had been turned down on a previous claim (original claim) in the last 12 months.

Furious at the whole situation with only 2 weeks till Christmas, I made an appointment to see an advisor at the Citezens Advice Beaureau.

At this stage I was calling the job centre every other day, having been told that my case was being reviewed by a decision making body of some kind, and that I would receive payment shortly.

No payments were made before or since Christmas and I am sinking further and further into debt.

On my last contact with the job centre I was told that I would be receiving payment within the first couple of weeks of 2012 but alas, so far I have not heard a thing.

The citezens advice people are assisting me in my case, but I have nowhere to turn for financial help, and all I can do is wait for the job centre to sort it out (not happening). my parents aren't able to continue supporting me in the way they have been, and I feel my livelihood is at steak.

I have reached my overdraft limit and been bailed out by my parents several times, this has put strain on my relationship with my family, and especially my girlfriend, who has been struggling to feed and support me.

I've lost over a stone in weight due to stress/lack of money, and I'm beginning to feel like my life is falling apart around me.

If there is anything anyone knows please get in touch..

I am currently draughting a letter to my MP and I will certainly be going for some form of compensation for this massive inconvenience, bearing in mind, I am a roofer with his arm in a cast.

I thought it would be fairly cut and dried but apparently that is not the case where the job centre are concerned

Please help!

rogerblack

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/financial-redress-for-maladministration.pdf may be of use.
I can't find the 'customer' version of this document, but the above should be useful.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/ContactJobcentrePlus/DG_186391