DWP sent me a P45... They had the wrong address until now.

Moodymoddy

I claim ESA and DSA; and that's never been too much of an issue. I moved into temporary accomodation for a while until November last year. Once I moved into permanent accommodation I informed, or so I thought I did (99.9% sure!) that my address had changed.

Then 2 weeks ago there was no DSA payment, so I immediately rang the DWP where they, rather helpfully (surprisingly :eek:) informed me that my claim had been suspended as one of their letters had been sent back with the "wrong address" marked on it. Standard security procedure meant that they would suspend all payments until they found out where I was currently living. I explained the circumstances and my details were updated and I was told everything was in order...

Then today, I went to buy some food and my card was declined, I checked my balance at the ATM and it was 0. I was too embarassed to go back to into the shop..

Turns out 2 letters arrived today:
1)Stating that I had missed an assessment, someone has assessed my case and deemed that I am capable for work and therefore no longer require ESA.
2)One with a P45 enclosed.

Both dated 2 days ago.. 12 days after I informed them that they hadn't updated my address details correctly.

So having not updated my address when I requested, they continued to send letters to the wrong address.. and then when they realise they had the wrong address, they finally used the correct one to do this?!

Now with the obvious "But surely you informed them that they had the wrong address and they would've figured this accounted for the lack of correspondence?" or "Didn't they figure it out when the final letter was sent to the correct address"... and so on. I understand that having such a logical thought pattern is way beyond the workings of the DWP.

Where does this leave me? I thought I was finally getting everything on track, and truthfully speaking - I don't think I would've been on ESA for that much longer. I've got new medications that I'm currently changing too, I've adjusted my diet and routine and am, or felt like I was, making progress..

Now I have bills to pay scheduled for this week, I have things I need - and I'm stuck. I feel like tearing my hair out, and for the first time in ages - I'm actually crying - I feel scared. Truly scared.

Anubis_2

I would go to see someone at your local CAB, I would also ring the BEL http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10011165 for advice as they are usually good.

rogerblack

Moodymoddy wrote: »

Turns out 2 letters arrived today:
1)Stating that I had missed an assessment, someone has assessed my case and deemed that I am capable for work and therefore no longer require ESA.
2)One with a P45 enclosed.

Both dated 2 days ago.. 12 days after I informed them that they hadn't updated my address details correctly.

The problem is that the assessment for work capability was likely over 2 weeks ago, and the appointment letter will have been sent over a week before that.
So, if you did not in fact update your address with them, the letters were all sent to the correct address.

First thing is to phone up, and request a new urgent appointment for a work capability assessment.
This is urgent!
You will not normally be paid ESA, even at appeal rate without it, unless 'good cause' can be proved.

Good cause can be that you never received the appointment letter for the medical - however, I'm not sure this is the case if you've failed to inform DWP of your address, as this is one of the things you're supposed to do.

So, in addition, you need to see if they have any note of a call about that time updating your address.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/ - getting a full copy of your ESA file, including any phonecalls that may have been recorded is a good idea.

In general - send any correspondence on this matter registered or special delivery.

I'm unsure if a crisis loan is possible in these circumstances.

In addition, if claiming council tax/housing benefit - phone them, and inform them that you have no income.
What's coming next from them (if you claim) is a statement saying they've stopped HB and CTB as they assume you're working.
You can also be entitled to these on the grounds of low income.

Moodymoddy

Thanks for the advice. Alas, it looks to be getting worse and worse. I'm now in a lot of trouble.. I'm pretty much stuck. [STRIKE]Will go and try and get advice from the CAB in a bit.[/STRIKE] Just feel like giving up - I don't see any way forward, I don't know what I can do and I just hate this.

Edit: Can't go to CAB - despite living on the same road as one, it turned to appointment only just now.

Anubis wrote:

I would go to see someone at your local CAB, I would also ring the BEL http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10011165 for advice as they are usually good.

The BEL were useful, and told me to explain the situation to the ESA helpline - that they should be able to find details of the call if I can remember when I made it.

I rang up the ESA helpline and lo-and-behold - they can't find it. So effectively it's my word against theirs and I don't like my odds at all; neither did the guy on the other end of the phone.

I asked would it have made a difference if perhaps I'd rang the DLA helpline, as I was told that I can ring either helpline and my address is updated for any claims I've made; he said it's quite possible they mightn't have informed them - but of course this doesn't account for DLA not having the correct address till recently either.

rogerblack wrote:

The problem is that the assessment for work capability was likely over 2 weeks ago, and the appointment letter will have been sent over a week before that.
So, if you did not in fact update your address with them, the letters were all sent to the correct address.

First thing is to phone up, and request a new urgent appointment for a work capability assessment.
This is urgent!
You will not normally be paid ESA, even at appeal rate without it, unless 'good cause' can be proved.

Good cause can be that you never received the appointment letter for the medical - however, I'm not sure this is the case if you've failed to inform DWP of your address, as this is one of the things you're supposed to do.

So, in addition, you need to see if they have any note of a call about that time updating your address.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/ - getting a full copy of your ESA file, including any phonecalls that may have been recorded is a good idea.

In general - send any correspondence on this matter registered or special delivery.

I'm unsure if a crisis loan is possible in these circumstances.

In addition, if claiming council tax/housing benefit - phone them, and inform them that you have no income.
What's coming next from them (if you claim) is a statement saying they've stopped HB and CTB as they assume you're working.
You can also be entitled to these on the grounds of low income.

Correct, I think the assessment 08/02/12 and they wrote to me asking for reasons for not attending on 09/02/12 - so presumably the letter informing me about the WCA was sent late January. However, I was pretty sure I informed the DWP - admittedly, I may not have been in the best state of mind at the time - but this is one of the things I surely must've done.

I've rang up to work out what is going on - and nothing was said other than I am having some form of appeal at the moment, and will get a decision within 4 working days. To quote the chap on the phone "Either way, you wont be getting a payment anytime soon". So I'm not sure if I can get an urgent WCA with this in mind!

I will see if I have any mobile phone statements around here that may have the phone call logged on them, but I don't think so to be honest - it's their word against mine and I'm pretty much stuffed now.