£100 lost by not attending ESA appointment

[Deleted User]

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Whilst you're correct ESA is seen as the benefit for those unable to work due to sickness/disability, otherwise they'd be on JSA/UC

In regards to the OP, the best thing that you could have done was to ring on the day you were ill to inform them you wouldn't be able to make it. Whilst i agree you can't see in advance when you're going to be ill, the best practice is to inform as soon as possible that you can't get in. I;ve had to do it with work when i;ve been up all night and too ill to come in. Obviously they might still have said this wasn't acceptable, but if its meant to reflect working conditions they should have least have recognised an effort to inform them.

I'm not sure you'll be able to appeal the original decision, but the best thing you can do now is confirm your work provider can confirm your attendance for you most recent appointments so you don;t lose more money.

Thanks for your reply. I did phone them, at 10.30am when I woke up. But it was too late anyway, as the appointment was for 10am.

You mentioned work provider, but I have been out of work for 8 years. The place I attend, Triage said they informed the DWP.

Hopefully I won't lose more money. Already lost 2 weeks benefit, apart from the £3.10 they paid me. No idea how they worked out the whole £3.10? £1.55 a week.

System

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I did phone them, at 10.30am when I woke up. But it was too late anyway, as the appointment was for 10am.

You mentioned work provider, but I have been out of work for 8 years. The place I attend, Triage said they informed the DWP.

Hopefully I won't lose more money. Already lost 2 weeks benefit, apart from the £3.10 they paid me. No idea how they worked out the whole £3.10? £1.55 a week.

sorry by work provider i meant Traige (sorry assumed it was the work programme thing WRAG claimants get referred to)

Is there any chance of applying for a hardship payment (if they still exist)

You should be eligible to get something from a food bank, i know it doesn't solve the case of having zero funds but might at least provide you with some food

[Deleted User]

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

sorry by work provider i meant Traige (sorry assumed it was the work programme thing WRAG claimants get referred to)

Is there any chance of applying for a hardship payment (if they still exist)

You should be eligible to get something from a food bank, i know it doesn't solve the case of having zero funds but might at least provide you with some food

Sorry that's my fault. I should have realized that's what you meant by, work provider.

Hardship payment, do you mean like a crisis loan?

Well, I still live with my mum. So, the 2 of us will just have to budget our money the next 2 weeks. Even though it's hard already.

I might have to go to a food bank as you suggested. Thanks for the help.

[Deleted User]

You can appeal, you can ask (you do have to ask) for a hardship fund payment.

But I have to be honest, even when I've been up all night for one reason or another (two special needs kids, not uncommon to be up all night with them, or ill myself as I have some health issues), if it gets to something like 6.30, I just don't bother going to sleep, to make sure I don't miss taking them to school. And that's 'just' school.., not something that if I miss means I could lose my income for that week or more! I'm no superhuman but I don't like the consequences lol.

If you are living with your mother, then your food shouldn't be totally dependent on your ESA. My older son receives ESA (and by the way, I make absolutely sure he attends any appointments, that's why he receives ESA and I'm his carer, that's my job), I give him some, keep some for keep but we managed for a long time on a lot less money, and with budgeting, we still all ate and bills were paid! I doubt you will starve. You might have to live on noodles more than you'd like but maybe it will teach both of you to budget and be more responsible. Maybe the budget needs to be looked at if things are desperate, so that you can manage if things like this happen (I'm afraid shortfalls in benefits money do happen at some time or other unfortunately). Are you two receiving all the benefits you could, like carers allowance, maybe that needs to be looked at? I tend to keep some money back if I can for shortfalls, for any reason. You have to learn too. Not just whinge. Otherwise it could easily happen again. I know you say this is once in years, but once is enough. They will jump on any reason to take money off you nowadays, you must know this. Don't give them reason.

You can also go to the CAB, see if they can give any advice on what to do.

[Deleted User]

deannatrois wrote: »

You can appeal, you can ask (you do have to ask) for a hardship fund payment.

But I have to be honest, even when I've been up all night for one reason or another (two special needs kids, not uncommon to be up all night with them, or ill myself), if it gets to something like 6.30, I just don't bother going to sleep, to make sure I don't miss taking them to school. And that's 'just' school.., not something that if I miss means I could lose my income for that week or more! I'm no superhuman but I don't like the consequences lol.

If you are living with your mother, then your food shouldn't be dependent on your ESA. My older son receives ESA (and by the way, I make absolutely sure he attends any appointments, that's why he receives ESA and I'm his carer, that's my job), I give him some, keep some for keep but we managed for a long time on a lot less money, and with budgeting, we still all ate and bills were paid! I doubt you will starve. You might have to live on noodles more than you'd like but maybe it will teach both of you to budget and be more responsible. I tend to keep some money back if I can for shortfalls, for any reason.

You can also go to the CAB, see if they can give any advice on what to do.

Well, I could do with losing some weight lol. Shouldn't laugh, but it's better than crying. 22p a day for a fortnight is ridiculous though.

Is a hardship payment, like a crisis loan? Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Hope this helps

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/sanctions/hardship-payment/

This refers to universal credit though, not ESA but its worth asking for.

Yes, it does have to be paid back.

But I'm not sure why you are implying your food is totally dependent on your ESA.., surely your mother will supply something, even if its basic. Maybe you do need to look at other benefits like PIP and carers allowance if you don't already get them. If you do, doubly, she should be helping out with food.

Get advice from CAB on how to get your ESA restarted, obviously need to concentrate on getting one department communicating with another.

[Deleted User]

deannatrois wrote: »

Hope this helps

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/sanctions/hardship-payment/

This refers to universal credit though, not ESA but its worth asking for.

Yes, it does have to be paid back.

But I'm not sure why you are implying your food is totally dependent on your ESA.., surely your mother will supply something, even if its basic. Maybe you do need to look at other benefits like PIP and carers allowance if you don't already get them. If you do, doubly, she should be helping out with food.

I never said my food was totally dependent on my ESA. I only mentioned food, as somebody else mentioned that food banks are available, if people are struggling with their money....

Yes, I do receive DLA, but is not due for another couple weeks.

And yes, me and mum help each other out. We both receive £100 a week, and we share the costs of Electric, gas, food, toiletries, etc etc

[Deleted User]

OK, cut back to basics, and work on getting the benefits restarted. I have to be honest, I've never looked at a loan of any kind as it just tends to extend the period of hardship.., I just tighten my belt. I can and have gotten by on toast for weeks (and I'm a diabetic lol) so the kids can eat. I had a time when my income support was stopped and then once that was sorted (clerical error) my tax credits went (all because I moved). It never seemed to end, half money.., and more expenses.., but we survived. My older boy is now 20 (hence the ESA) and any change is difficult when the budget is tight. But I am really experienced at knowing what I can cut back on.

But honestly, use this experience to learn, try and put some money aside so you can cope when the unforseen like this hits. Its not easy but well worth it. Look at your budget if needs be, there's lots of advice on here.

[Deleted User]

deannatrois wrote: »

OK, cut back to basics, and work on getting the benefits restarted. I have to be honest, I've never looked at a loan of any kind as it just tends to extend the period of hardship.., I just tighten my belt. I can and have gotten by on toast for weeks (and I'm a diabetic lol) so the kids can eat. I had a time when my income support was stopped and then once that was sorted (clerical error) my tax credits went (all because I moved). It never seemed to end, half money.., and more expenses.., but we survived. My older boy is now 20 (hence the ESA) and any change is difficult when the budget is tight. But I am really experienced at knowing what I can cut back on.

But honestly, use this experience to learn, try and put some money aside so you can cope when the unforseen like this hits. Its not easy but well worth it. Look at your budget if needs be, there's lots of advice on here.

Thanks, really appreciate the advice. Hopefully this never happens again, as really can't live on 22p a day.

[Deleted User]

You aren't, you have DLA (if its a couple of weeks til you get it, its only a couple of weeks since you last received it so there should be some left if you budget), presumably your mother or someone gets carers allowance if you get mid rate care DLA.

I know you aren't rolling in it, but all the more reason to budget carefully. All the more reason to have some money put aside.

Use this situation as a reason to look at your budget/money management. I know the money my son gets burns a hole in his pocket .., which is why I am trying to build on his money management skills, and meanwhile I don't give him all of it. Wish I could.