ESA and Medical Evidence

clatow23

I have an address in my GP locality which I rent, but they are fussy about benefits so I have to claim my ESA under my mum and dads address (long story - I didn't wanna change GP due to anxiety, so only option was to get rented address). I spend the majority of the week at my mum and dads address anyway - we just go to my rented address and stay over when I have GP/Therapy appointment and maybe the odd weekend or so

So it's not like I am claiming my benefits under an address where I don't live, because I am claiming them under the address where most of my week is spent. But when I get the ESA50 form sent out again in May, the evidence I provide will all have my rented address on - just because that's where all my medical treatment takes place

Anyway just wondering if it will be a problem with ESA if the evidence my GP provides actually has a different address on to the one my claim is under? GP obviously will have to address letters to my rented address as mum and dad's is out of catchment area. Thanks for any advice

clatow23

GP isn't bothered how many days I week I spend at the address in their locality, as long as I have the address

What would ESA view be? Posting here because that many rules with benefits and that alone affects my anxiety majorly - actually felt so much worse this week than ever

I'm just basically looking for reassurance that as long as I am claiming ESA under the address where I spend most of my week (parents address) that it will be fine and the medical evidence having my rented address is not an issue

Thanks, guys

Lanzarote1938

Are you claiming HB/LHA for the property you don't live in?

clatow23

Lanzarote1938 wrote: »

Are you claiming HB/LHA for the property you don't live in?

Nope - claiming nothing. My dad and brother pay for the rent between them (both employed) It was something they decided they would do for me out of desperation to help when we had to move and my anxiety and depression caused the police to be called out two nights because I was that worked up about having to change GP/Therapist during treatment

Topcat1982

But why do you not use the rental address for ESA too? Then everything would be in the same address

clatow23

Topcat1982 wrote: »

But why do you not use the rental address for ESA too? Then everything would be in the same address

I only spend one day/night a week there and the odd weekend or two average. Thought it made sense to claim ESA under the address where I am most of the week

Topcat1982

clatow23 wrote: »

I only spend one day/night a week there and the odd weekend on average. Thought it made sense to claim ESA under the address where I am most of the week then any appointments or anything I attend at the local job centre

Using a different address for anything can flag up on their data matching system and trigger an investigation. It's best just to have one address when you're claiming benefits.

Does anyone else live at the rental flat? Flatmates/partner?

clatow23

Topcat1982 wrote: »

Using a different address for anything can flag up on their data matching system and trigger an investigation. It's best just to have one address when you're claiming benefits.

Does anyone else live at the rental flat? Flatmates/partner?

But surely, if I've been honest with them and actually explain why my medical evidence is under a different address that would be ok

It's not like I'm claiming ESA under a false address, I'm being honest and claiming under the address the week, apart from one day when I go to my rented place for GP/Therapist appointment, and the odd weekend or two

Yes others live there - I just rent a room

Poppie68

It could cause a problem giving 2 different addresses if you are claiming Income related ESA, or other income related benefits... It would start getting complicated with others living at both addresses, your GP practice may also be given the address the address you are claiming from..ie: your parents, if the DWP need to contact them for further information. If your rent is being paid on your rental on time and not by housing benefit then what benefits you claim is totally irrelevant to your landlord.

clatow23

Poppie68 wrote: »

It could cause a problem giving 2 different addresses if you are claiming Income related ESA, or other income related benefits... It would start getting complicated with others living at both addresses, your GP practice may also be given the address the address you are claiming from..ie: your parents, if the DWP need to contact them for further information. If your rent is being paid on your rental on time and not by housing benefit then what benefits you claim is totally irrelevant to your landlord.

But I'm not actually giving them 2 different addresses - I have given them the one address for my claim. Just that medical evidence is different address and the reason for that is down to my illness anyway

Also - my GP practice being given the address I am claiming from is not a problem. GP isn't bothered how much of the week I spend at either address - they know I have an address in their locality purely so I could continue my treatment with the same people and that I spend the rest of the week at mum and dads where claiming. All GP is bothered about is that I had an address in the locality to give them

Also, don't claim any other income related benefits. Only ESA.

Poppie68

clatow23 wrote: »

But I'm not actually giving them 2 different addresses - I have given them the one address for my claim. Just that medical evidence is different address and the reason for that is down to my illness anyway

Also - my GP practice being given the address I am claiming from is not a problem. GP isn't bothered how much of the week I spend at either address - they know I have an address in their locality purely so I could continue my treatment with the same people and that I spend the rest of the week at mum and dads where claiming. All GP is bothered about is that I had an address in the locality to give them

Also, don't claim any other income related benefits. Only ESA.

Your claim could come into question if the medical evidence has a different address to your claim...
I'm not inferring you are trying to attempt a fraudulent claim but the DWP have seen it all, their job is not just to process your ESA claim but to question and possibly investigate any discrepancies...

Where are you registered for Council Tax or electrol roll?