Incapacity to ESA letter

rogerblack

John_Clark wrote: »

But nevertheless makes a mockery of their assertion in their letter that their number is a local rate call.
Which makes me wonder how much I can trust them

From a BT landline, it is.

Muttleythefrog

It has saved me a fortune getting the 'free' upgrade for Virgin Media landline for 08 numbers... over 90% of my phone call charges were for DWP numbers.

Ellejmorgan

I have the same condition as you op I have 3 discs gone, one of which is in my neck, I have lots of damage in my leg & arms, also mental health issues which are longstanding..

I'm in the WRAG it is a battle..Please study as many ESA forums and posts as you can as they will try to catch you out, ie ask you aout shopping, hobbies etc, they might sound harmless but they are designed to catch you out..

John_Clark

Many thanks for all the replies. I phoned ATOS and gave them my number but they have never phoned me. I received the ESA 50 dated 17.9.12 on 19.9.12. It said they have to receive it back by 18.10.12 I posted it back recorded delivery, arriving at ATOS on 25.9.12, but, although they have had the completed ESA50 form 11 weeks now, I have heard absolutely nothing since.
According to the descriptors I should be in the support group.
My Incapacity benefit is still being paid as before.

Glen_Clark

rogerblack wrote: »

From a BT landline, it is.

I don't know whether that makes it better or worse.
The poorest people - who have no phone and have to use a BT coinbox, will pay 10-30 times as much to phone the DWP as they would a normal number. If everybody had to pay 10-30 times as much there might be more of a fuss and get it changed.

Muttleythefrog

John_Clark wrote: »

Many thanks for all the replies. I phoned ATOS and gave them my number but they have never phoned me. I received the ESA 50 dated 17.9.12 on 19.9.12. It said they have to receive it back by 18.10.12 I posted it back recorded delivery, arriving at ATOS on 25.9.12, but, although they have had the completed ESA50 form 11 weeks now, I have heard absolutely nothing since.
According to the descriptors I should be in the support group.
My Incapacity benefit is still being paid as before.

My advice would be to email ATOS HC and you should get a pretty swift reply as to status. I imagine that by now they'll have completed what they need to do although they could be delayed. But normally by now they'll have arranged a medical or decided one isn't necessary. Ensure you give your NiNo for ID purposes. Simply ask them for an update on your case... say you're anxious as to whether you'll need to attend a medical.
[EMAIL="customer-relations@atoshealthcare.com"]customer[/email]-relations@atoshealthcare.com

If they confirm they've closed your file then you could attempt to get a copy of the ESA85A ATOS report from the DWP... that should be highly revealing and likely determine the DWP decision.

[Deleted User]

John_Clark wrote: »

PS: I have found out a little more about BT payphone charges. It wasn't easy as the information is not in the payphone, or even on the BT website. It appears that their 0845 number is 20p per minute with a 40p connection charge. Wheras normal numbers are 60p for 30 minutes.
So whilst your 60p would last only one minute phoning the DWP instead of 30 minutes on a normal number (which is 30 times as much as I said), a 30 minute call would be £6.40 instead of 60p, which is only a little over 10 times as much.
But nevertheless makes a mockery of their assertion in their letter that their number is a local rate call.
Which makes me wonder how much I can trust them

ok,on bt option 3 0845 numbers are free,and many mobile contracts now include them in your allowance,failing that go into you JC+ and use their phone

harry7075

I returned my ESA50 form back at the start of November I had heard back from the DWP by the end of November.

epitome

Old thread,

The DWP only wanted your phone number to tell you about the changes, and to expect to receive the ESA50 soon and to return it in 4 weeks.

Good job you sent it recorded - incase something had gone wrong, but as they never contacted you again we can only assume they did get it and put it onto their systems.

BTW I think I read on Post Office that recorded items can only be checked for so long, so not so sure how useful your recorded delivery would be now if they came back now and said "we didn't get it".

Phoning DWP for all your problems is by far the most convenient way. Sending post will take 7 - 8 days to be received and a further 7 -14 days to receive a reply - and that's assuming they do receive it and log it as received, and you won't know if they received it and logged it unless you phone them, which kind of defeats the object really doesn't it.

You can phone for free from a jobcentre or you can ask them to call you straight back as soon as they answer the phone.

If you phone ATOS they should have some idea of when you will be assessed.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

proof of postage is all you need so the reciept with the shipping address will suffice eventhough the PO system wont show anything on it because of expirey on the online checker.