Successful ESA reconsideration but need some help!

angie-lou-mc

I claimed ESA in May, was getting paid as normal then missed the Atos appt as I didn't receive it. My ESA was stopped as they said I didn't give a valid reason for non attendance.
Anyway I asked for a reconsideration, sent a letter in explaining all. On 5th Oct I received a Faster payment in my acc of £284, 4 weeks of ESA which tallied with what I would have been due. Last Tuesday I phoned JCP and requested a ring back. On Weds a lovely lady told me the decision maker had decided to reinstate my ESA (fantastic) and that at that time it was being dealt with clerically but should be back to normal asap for my next payment and I would receive a letter.
I haven't received a letter and the payment due today has not gone in my bank I phoned at 8am and they said someone would ring me back before 5 from Processing, they haven't and it's now 4.40. They said they couldn't give me any details then, which I believe is right as it's just someone from the call centre??
Could something have gone wrong or is it just that it is still with processing and needs to be done clerically rather than by a computer? Am so worried that they've changed their minds again and I've got no money to speak of. Can anyone help? Than.k you

Muttleythefrog

To be honest probably only they can help on this one. Their admin is terrible at best. If you don't get a call by midday tomorrow I'd call them again. Are you getting assessment rate and under the impression they are going to conduct your work capability assessment (properly i.e. such that you can attend medical if required) again to determine entitlement? If so are you continuing to send in sicknotes... as these will be required to continue getting assessment rate? And if not... I presume their reconsideration actually was in relation to the decision you are fit for work and they have placed you in WRAG or Support group and they need to communicate the details.. if so ask them to send an award letter to confirm the details perhaps?

angie-lou-mc

Yes I am still getting it at the assessment rate and assume they will sent me for the medical soon. I sent my last sick note in; in fact it was the week before the payment on the 5th so don't think it can be that. Would it be ridiculous of me to try and phone them now or should I wait till tomorrow?

Muttleythefrog

angie-lou-mc wrote: »

Yes I am still getting it at the assessment rate and assume they will sent me for the medical soon. I sent my last sick note in; in fact it was the week before the payment on the 5th so don't think it can be that. Would it be ridiculous of me to try and phone them now or should I wait till tomorrow?

I'd wait... I think their call back standards regarding time might have been lowered recently.. sure I read something somewhere... I'd give them some hours of the working day tomorrow.

angie-lou-mc

Thank you very much. I was so relieved last week at their decision but feel so anxious and frightened again. I will wait until tomorrow to phone them.

Muttleythefrog

angie-lou-mc wrote: »

Thank you very much. I was so relieved last week at their decision but feel so anxious and frightened again. I will wait until tomorrow to phone them.

Might be worth thinking about if you can get supporting medical evidence... as close to the descriptors as possible.

angie-lou-mc

Yes I will try to do that thank you. Hopefully I will get some good news tomorrow; surely they couldn't just change their minds after reconsidering in my favour. I am probably worrying over nothing.