ESA Suspended, LTF1 Form

sweetiepie2121

I have been getting esa the support element and all of a sudden it stopped in November time 2018. I didn't realise because I receive Dla currently when I phoned them up enquiring about esa in November 2018 they said that they sent out a form for me to fill in. I live with my friend and they think we are a couple, I have been told in total that they have sent me four LTF1 forms in total but I haven't received any as of yet. I hope they are at the job center but my hopes are slim because the man who I spoke to didn't sound like he knew.

I feel like I have been wronged and read on citizen advice website that esa support group cannot be sanctioned. This is affecting my mental health drastically. In all I sent two letters in place for the LTF1 forms I didn't receive because I want to get all this rectified asap. They are still adamant that I fill out the LTF1 form before they come out to here to see for themselves.

I feel very lost at what to do please can anyone help advise and can anyone relate?.

tomtom256

If they believe your claim is in doubt then ESA regardless of what group can be suspended.


Along with the LTF1 would have been a letter advising you that you had some much time to respond or your claim would be suspended.


The LTF1 is required as it asks specific questions which a DM will look at to make an informed decision regarding your friend.


Until you comply with what they are asking they will not pay you as they could be paying you incorrectly.

poppy12345

sweetiepie2121 wrote: »

I have been getting esa the support element and all of a sudden it stopped in November time 2018. I didn't realise because I receive Dla currently when I phoned them up enquiring about esa in November 2018 they said that they sent out a form for me to fill in. I live with my friend and they think we are a couple, I have been told in total that they have sent me four LTF1 forms in total but I haven't received any as of yet. I hope they are at the job center but my hopes are slim because the man who I spoke to didn't sound like he knew.

I feel like I have been wronged and read on citizen advice website that esa support group cannot be sanctioned. This is affecting my mental health drastically. In all I sent two letters in place for the LTF1 forms I didn't receive because I want to get all this rectified asap. They are still adamant that I fill out the LTF1 form before they come out to here to see for themselves.

I feel very lost at what to do please can anyone help advise and can anyone relate?.

You haven't been sanctioned. Your ESA has been suspended because they believe the person you're living with is your partner. For this reason, they can suspend your payments until they've looked at your claim/circumstances.


You say you spoke to someone at your local job centre? It's the DWP you need to ring not the job centre. You should ring DWP to speak to them and ask for a case manager to ring you back. Someone will then ring you within 48 hours.



Do they have your correct address? I seems strange that you haven't received the 4 forms that they've sent.

tacpot12

It is strange that you haven't received the letters you have been sent. Do you have problems with other items of mail going missing, or is it just the LTF1 forms?

If there is a general problem, complain to the Royal Mail and ask the DWP if they will send the form via recorded delivery. I expect they will be reluctant to do so, but if you explain that you have complained to the Royal Mail, they might agree.

If the problem is just with the one form, then for it to be sent and not receive four times suggests a problem within the DWP, so a complaint to them would be appropriate. In your complaint letter you should ask to be sent a proof of posting via email.

See https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure for details of how to complain.

sweetiepie2121

tomtom256 wrote: »

If they believe your claim is in doubt then ESA regardless of what group can be suspended.


Along with the LTF1 would have been a letter advising you that you had some much time to respond or your claim would be suspended.


The LTF1 is required as it asks specific questions which a DM will look at to make an informed decision regarding your friend.


Until you comply with what they are asking they will not pay you as they could be paying you incorrectly.

Thank you for the advice, I received the form in the post today I will fill out over the weekend ready to post by Special Delivery on Monday.

sweetiepie2121

tacpot12 wrote: »

It is strange that you haven't received the letters you have been sent. Do you have problems with other items of mail going missing, or is it just the LTF1 forms?

If there is a general problem, complain to the Royal Mail and ask the DWP if they will send the form via recorded delivery. I expect they will be reluctant to do so, but if you explain that you have complained to the Royal Mail, they might agree.

If the problem is just with the one form, then for it to be sent and not receive four times suggests a problem within the DWP, so a complaint to them would be appropriate. In your complaint letter you should ask to be sent a proof of posting via email.

See https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure for details of how to complain.

My money was stopped in November 2018 with no warning letter or form, I received the form after the sixth attempt they posted it. I think that they were lying to me at the beginning. I will look into complaining but it is thier word against mine. I send letter special delivery to them, like the last two but no they want this form back. Phew... I can kind of relax now until round three with them on Wednesday. Not knowing what stunt they will pull next delaying things. I have been very anxious about going through this nightmare, fingers crossed things calm down soon.

sweetiepie2121

It was very stresful over the weekend and finally got the form filled in and they included another esa book to fill in. I will be posting it via special delivery tomorrow.

TELLIT01

I'm not doubting the OP's explanation of what has happened regarding non-receipt of post from DWP. There is a consistency in that nothing has been received.

When I worked at DWP it was amazing the number of calls we received from people claiming they hadn't received letters requesting information, but did receive the one telling their payments had been stopped.