Dwp & esa

ankspon

I was informed last week by the DWP complaints manager Keith Watson that i was reassed for ESA several months ago without my knowledge,i knew nothing,not even the outcome.I asked for an appeal form and the copy of my medicals as there are several discrepancies on the med report.I received the appeal form but no reports so rung them again and surprise they have no record of me asking.Can i ask for an extension of time for appealing due to them being negligent.

rogerblack

First thing you need to find out is if you were notified of the decision. (this includes it being put in the post by them, and then lost in the post)
If you were not - then the appeal period hasn't started to run.
You can make a late appeal up to 13 months after a decision.

The possibility of decisions being lost in the post, is why I've been recommending people call them every couple of weeks at least, to make sure one hasn't been made.

ankspon

I was not notified at all that i was being reassessed,when i questioned why they said "oh we probably couldn't get in touch with you".Isn't it funny how when they ask you for something it gets lost in the post or they say we did not receive it and stop your money

rogerblack

You need to explicitly - in writing - ask when the decision was made on your claim, and for proof that you were notified.
If this was not done - the time limit for an appeal has not begun to run.

epitome

So you were on IB?

If you can remember the date you asked for the copy of the medicals they will have a call record of who answered the phone, and they will be able to listen in to that call and send you a copy of the call.

All you need to do to appeal is send in the GL24 with something basic on there (Someone else can say exactly what words would be sufficient) and note that you will be supplying more information in support of the appeal. That action will get your appeal up and running, you can then furnish your appeal with more information as quickly as possible. If you ask for a copy of the "decision makers justification" it automatically gives you an extra 14 days to get your appeal in.

However, your appeal date has long since gone, assuming they have a record of a notice letter being sent to you.

You can phone up and ask them to look to see if there was a letter sent, if it was it will be recorded on the system.

ankspon

I was not in IB,i was on ESA and have been fighting to get in the support group

Folar

Ankspoon, this is EXACTLY what happened to me. They admitted their failings only after I contacted Chris Grayling, MP. I have now been put in the Support Group and was also given a one off apology payment of £50 which was a total surprise and much needed.

Get onto your MP, the DWP must reply to them within 15 days. In the meantime, put in an Appeal. Copy ALL paperwork to your MP. Send all paperwork via recorded delivery.

ankspon

I have had the MP involved he was useless,all he did was forward my e-mails to the complaints dept.

Nandoro

ankspon wrote: »

I have had the MP involved he was useless,all he did was forward my e-mails to the complaints dept.

I'm getting in a similar ,but much more compicated situation. They even lost my medical certificates. I'm thinking of involving my MP but like you said i think it will be useless and a waste of my time.

Folar

ankspon wrote: »

I have had the MP involved he was useless,all he did was forward my e-mails to the complaints dept.

Then google Chris Grayling MP and email him. He's the top man for DWP and took my complaint and problems very seriously. The DWP have a correspondence department that deals solely with this sort of correspondence.

You need to get a Correspondence Case Manager from the JCP Business Management Team. I only know the telephone number for the Southern Office which is 01483 705832.

The Case Manager who dealt with my Case was amazing and a breath of fresh air after all the desperation and struggle of trying to be acknowledged.

Folar

Nandoro wrote: »

I'm getting in a similar ,but much more compicated situation. They even lost my medical certificates. I'm thinking of involving my MP but like you said i think it will be useless and a waste of my time.

Not all MPs are the same. Mine was very helpful. You won't know if you don't try.