£100 lost by not attending ESA appointment

[Deleted User]

deannatrois wrote: »

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.

I receive the lower rate DLA, works out at about £21 a week.

red_devil

thats the incompetent and nasty DWP for you. Looking for anyone excuse to stop your money.

red_devil

McKneff wrote: »

The whole experience with make sure you wont ever do it again.
Its as simple as this.... You slept in....

they weren't feeling well have you no compassion. It was the first time it had happened too.

[Deleted User]

red_devil wrote: »

thats the incompetent and nasty DWP for you. Looking for anyone excuse to stop your money.

Thanks for your sympathy. Let this be a warning to others I suppose. Even if your at Deaths door, make sure somebody carts you on down to your appointment. Just missing 1 appointment, will cost you 2 weeks income, except £3.10....

nannytone_2

just a question.

if you had known beforehand that you would lose this money ...
what would you have done?

missbiggles1

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

.

It's because it's often seen as this that I think it's worth clarifying the point.

[Deleted User]

nannytone wrote: »

just a question.

if you had known beforehand that you would lose this money ...
what would you have done?

Regardless if I had known beforehand if I would lose £200 or not, I didn't hear my alarm. Must have been in a deep sleep, after having a painful night, that took me several hours to fall asleep.

To lose £200 for a first offence (can't believe I am calling it an offence) is ridiculous. How do they expect people to live on 22p a day? People in 3rd world countries live on more than that. I still don't know how they worked out the whole, £3.10 for 2 weeks.

Not just saying this, because it happened to me, as I would say the same for others. A first time offence (I still can't believe I am calling it that) should just result in warning, and that further non appearances, will result in a penalty. However, not the full 2 weeks benefit.

Confuseddot

But the rules are if you miss an appointment your payment is stopped until you attend the appointment.

Do you not get carers for you mum ?

Putting money aside for situations like this is always a good plan. Between the two of you, there is two sets of ESA, DLA plus premiums or carers so should be enough to put a small amount aside or buy a few extra staples once in a while to cover eventualities.

Those on JSA who get sanctioned get nowt and its not just for 2 weeks either.

[Deleted User]

Confuseddot wrote: »

But the rules are if you miss an appointment your payment is stopped until you attend the appointment.

Do you not get carers for you mum ?

Putting money aside for situations like this is always a good plan. Between the two of you, there is two sets of ESA, DLA plus premiums or carers so should be enough to put a small amount aside or buy a few extra staples once in a while to cover eventualities.

Those on JSA who get sanctioned get nowt and its not just for 2 weeks either.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, we do each receive a couple of benefits. But if I was living alone, how would I cope on 22p a day? "Luckily" I still live with my mum, and that doesn't apply to me.

You said that the person's money is stopped, till they attend their next appointment. I have had 2 appointments since, and attended both. I was just in shock when I checked my bank last night when instead of my usual £204 benefit, I was paid £3.10.

I know that JSA claimants will have their money stopped, if they are not actively looking for work. I never knew they take away ESA claimants benefit, by accidentally missing an appointment.

nannytone_2

as you are in the WRAG, you are mandated to comply with any work related activity ( anything short of applying for jobs, including voluntary work and unpaid work experience) if you do not comply ( by missing appointments for example) you have not kept to the conditions of your benefit and sanctions can be applied.

there is no point in asking 'what if i lived alone'. you don't.

people really need to grasp the seriousness of complying with the terms of their benefit, because as you have found out, the implications are serious.

couldn't your mother have woken you even if you didn't hear your alarm?