ESA are useless!

doyouwantfrieswiththat

Hi

As you may remember my dad won his appeal 3 weeks ago yesterday, we have heard nothing from ESA - He hasnt been paid he arrears and he is still on assessment rate, on Wednesday he recieved a letter from the job centre saying he has to go to one of these focus interviews. I called ESA on Thursday asking whats going on, they told me they only recieved the decision from the appeal board the day before (Wednesday), funny how the job centre were notified a lot sooner to make him go to one of these interviews.

I told the ESA he will not be going as he is not fit for it and he should be in the support group. her reply?? 'only people with terminal illnesses are in the SG'', I told her she was incorrect and to read the SG descriptors, her reply? 'what do you mean by descriptors'!! cant believe this crap, I called the job centre and she was very understanding and said my Dad did not have to go next week as she could hold it off until further notice, I will be writing a letter to ESA as this is disgraceful.

Muttleythefrog

This isn't the first time I've heard that an agent at DWP had said to someone that only terminally ill people get into Support Group... it is quite shocking that they don't even know what you mean by descriptors... but sadly it is all very common. What is frightening is that if someone in the support group phones this agent then this agent could conceivably tell them they're regarded as terminally ill... the consequences for which are unthinkable in some cases.

Hopefully the DWP will process the tribunal result ASAP.

nogginthenog

I know it may be a bit late now, but you should have asked the persons name.

If you can,..... try to remember to ask who you are speaking to,so you can complain if need be.

Best of luck.

Just...Yvette

That's disgusting. I'm struggling with the ESA staff at the moment trying to get reassessed, and I wish I had a way to record my phone calls, because they constantly contradict themselves and often speak to me in a patronising or unpleasant manner.

The 'terminal' comment is just awful and incredibly irresponsible - they should really limit the officers who are allowed to speak to the public to those who are suitably knowledgeable and sensitive.

doyouwantfrieswiththat

Just...Yvette wrote: »

That's disgusting. I'm struggling with the ESA staff at the moment trying to get reassessed, and I wish I had a way to record my phone calls, because they constantly contradict themselves and often speak to me in a patronising or unpleasant manner.

The 'terminal' comment is just awful and incredibly irresponsible - they should really limit the officers who are allowed to speak to the public to those who are suitably knowledgeable and sensitive.

ESA is all very hush hush where I live, but I happen to know someone who works for the civil service who has visted the ESA offices a few times, she told me 90% of them are agency workers and they have a sheet on their desk with the most asked questions, if they get out of their depth they are supposed to call a supervisor (which im sure they dont), its ridiculous.

missapril75

Just...Yvette wrote: »

...they should really limit the officers who are allowed to speak to the public to those who are suitably knowledgeable and sensitive.

Not to insult or accuse anyone but that's probably an issue relating to pay levels and the way the government cuts corners by using call centre type set ups rather than properly trained and knowledgeable staff in proper accessible offices.