Can't get ESA to action change.

EmeraldEye

To recap, I was awarded Carer's Allowance and it was backdated to the 5th of September but as I was in receipt of IR ESA during this period I was not entitled to an actual backdated payment. I have been receiving £62 odd every Monday since the 5th of December and I was informed that this amount would be deducted from my ESA but then my ESA would be "topped up" by £34 weekly through the carer's premium.

I notified ESA about my change of circumstances straight away via telephone when I was made aware of my entitlement to CA but for whatever reason ESA didn't action it and I ended up receiving my normal ESA payment. I phoned ESA again and made them aware again of my change in circumstances and again it does not appear to have been acted on.

Incidentally my ESA was under review and I received a letter on Christmas Eve informing me that I was still entitled to ESA and that I would remain in the support group - I must have been assessed on paper (again) as I was not asked to attend a medical.

I'm panicking that I have received two overpayments on my ESA despite the fact I have phoned them twice and have kept a record of times/dates/the names of both advisors that I spoke with (as advised to do by posters on here).

I tried phoning ESA today but it wasn't open (or at least I couldn't get connected). I am due my ESA on Friday and I don't want to receive a third overpayment. Should I send a recorded delivery letter tomorrow?

TELLIT01

From what you write here I assume you have only spoken to ESA on the phone to inform them about the CA award. If so then Yes, write to them as well. I wouldn't bother with recorded delivery as that is an additional cost to you.
State in the letter that you have contacted them twice, providing the details you have available. Some offices are months behind with processing changes. I know that one office had over 6 months of unprocessed changes a couple of years ago and doubt the situation has changed much since.

EmeraldEye

TELLIT01 wrote: »

From what you write here I assume you have only spoken to ESA on the phone to inform them about the CA award. If so then Yes, write to them as well. I wouldn't bother with recorded delivery as that is an additional cost to you.
State in the letter that you have contacted them twice, providing the details you have available. Some offices are months behind with processing changes. I know that one office had over 6 months of unprocessed changes a couple of years ago and doubt the situation has changed much since.

Yes I've only contacted ESA on the phone (twice) but I will write a letter tonight and post it off to them tomorrow, thank you.

Alice_Holt

And keep a copy of the letter together with proof of posting, as evidence that you notified the DWP of a change of circumstances. Refer to the telephone calls in your letter.

pmlindyloo

EmeraldEye wrote: »

To recap, I was awarded Carer's Allowance and it was backdated to the 5th of September but as I was in receipt of IR ESA during this period I was not entitled to an actual backdated payment. I have been receiving £62 odd every Monday since the 5th of December and I was informed that this amount would be deducted from my ESA but then my ESA would be "topped up" by £34 weekly through the carer's premium.

I notified ESA about my change of circumstances straight away via telephone when I was made aware of my entitlement to CA but for whatever reason ESA didn't action it and I ended up receiving my normal ESA payment. I phoned ESA again and made them aware again of my change in circumstances and again it does not appear to have been acted on.

Incidentally my ESA was under review and I received a letter on Christmas Eve informing me that I was still entitled to ESA and that I would remain in the support group - I must have been assessed on paper (again) as I was not asked to attend a medical.

I'm panicking that I have received two overpayments on my ESA despite the fact I have phoned them twice and have kept a record of times/dates/the names of both advisors that I spoke with (as advised to do by posters on here).

I tried phoning ESA today but it wasn't open (or at least I couldn't get connected). I am due my ESA on Friday and I don't want to receive a third overpayment. Should I send a recorded delivery letter tomorrow?

You should have received backdated carer's premium for this period. Did you receive this? If not, ask them for it!

EmeraldEye

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You should have received backdated carer's premium for this period. Did you receive this? If not, ask them for it!

No I didn't receive the backdated carer's premium because I have had trouble getting the ESA department to take action on my new change of circumstances. My fortnightly money should have had the carer's allowance deducted but this hasn't been done, so now I owe them money because they have paid my normal rate of ESA all throughout December and they should not have done.

Thinking about it is really making me anxious. Then of course the carer's premium should have been added to my ESA, which hasn't been done either.

I've phoned them twice and have now also sent them a letter. I hate the idea of owing them money but I have tried to get them to act but to no avail. I'm hoping that the money they would have owed me for backdated carer's premium will more or less cover the ESA overpayment that I received throughout December.

I got paid my ESA on Friday and for a third time it was my usual amount, so I must owe them quite a bit by now. Hopefully my letter will do the trick!

[Deleted User]

So far you have been overpaid by £102,(3weeks x £34), just keep this money to one side along with any more over payments, and as above write to them.