ESA stopped, no reason given

nemo111

Hi there. I found out today my ESA was stopped - the letter gave no reason for this.

I have suffered with depression, social phobia and anxiety for over a decade and have been in a bit of a battle for the past few years with the DWP since I got downgraded to WRAG seemingly because I volunteer very infrequently (about once or twice a month).

My recent history with the DWP is as follows:
-Was sanctioned for years because I could not comply with weekly face to face interviews
-Money suddenly reinstated about 12 months ago, no reason given
-Was given ESA3 form out of the blue recently to receive back money I should have been paid five years ago. Haven't received a reply yet.
-About a month ago my case was moved to the jobcentre in the next borough with no warning
-Told to fill out a "good reason" letter, did so and said that I could not go to face to face appts due to mental health problems, so could they make reasonable adjustments.
-Immediately a new ESA form was sent out because of the "good reason" letter. Form is due to be sent soon.
-Was then repeatedly harassed by an employee who kept visiting my home without proper advance warning (funnily enough they wouldn't consider home visits when I was being sanctioned) and then was unavailable on the phone whenever my carer called.

Now my money has been stopped entirely. It feels as if my claim is constantly being bounced around as I am clearly a bit of a nuisiance to them.

Will this affect the backpayments? Should I bother phoning to find out why or just get on with the MR? Should I still send the new ESA form out? I think yes as I'm worried I'll get put on Universal Credit, which would be very bad for me for reasons I won't go into here.

Sorry for the information dump, hope someone can help. Thanks

poppy12345

Have you been sent a work capability assessment form (ESA50 form) recently?


Was the face to face assessment a work capability assessment?If it was and you didn't attend then your ESA stopping will be because you failed to attend the assessment.


You will need to ring DWP just to confirm the reasons why it's been stopped though otherwise we could be going round in circles here, with no definite answers.

Robbie64

^
If a DWP visiting oficer was calling round it sounds like it could have been an ESA50. DWP safeguarding guidance states that if someone is vulnerable and doesn't return an ESA50 then a home visit should be considered.

nemo111

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have been sent an ESA50 form, but it's not due back yet. No, it wasn't a WCA because I hadn't returned the form and they kept mentioning it was to do with my non-compliance with the work related interviews. Doesn't seem like they've kept to the rules here. Will probably (reluctantly) phone DWP later.

nemo111

Phoned them and they said my claim was suspended because I haven't complied with interviews. Then phoned jobcentre and they refuse to give me a telephone appt (even though caseworker wrote and said that I could call). Stuck in limbo, not sure what to do now. If anyone could give me advice it would be much appreciated.

poppy12345

Try sending a supporting letter from your GP stating the reasons why you can't attend the WFI. I don't know if it will help but it's worth a try.

nemo111

Ok, I'll try that, thanks.

micky2phones

nemo111 wrote: »

Phoned them and they said my claim was suspended because I haven't complied with interviews. Then phoned jobcentre and they refuse to give me a telephone appt (even though caseworker wrote and said that I could call). Stuck in limbo, not sure what to do now. If anyone could give me advice it would be much appreciated.

Hi, about your telephone appointment, i do know that sometimes when they do a phone appointments its a JobCentre from one area phoning people from a different area.

Also they tend to phone people when they get short of time or when people are away, holidays or sick.

Not sure they still do this.