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WTC with disability element

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Comments

  • Kitten347
    Kitten347 Posts: 47 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    Yes, I did think it could be this one! 🤔
  • Gellar9
    Gellar9 Posts: 48 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    I have sent my form back via recorded delivery today, along with a three page essay stating my reasons for staying on (as I tick all the boxes), my history of receiving ESA with added element and my work history since claiming. I've also told them all about my illnesses, how they affect me and given my contact details if they wish to discuss with me, my GP details and my specialist details. 

    I will follow this up with them via telephone next week, once my form/letter has arrived.

    Thanks for the link whizzywoo - I watch with interest.

    I think it really is to do with them trying to take things away whilst everyone is pre-occupied with Covid-19, so it will go relatively un-noticed.
  • Kitten347
    Kitten347 Posts: 47 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    edited 28 May 2020 at 3:32PM
    Gellar, keep us posted and good luck!  If you do phone them prepare for a long wait.  When I phoned, went through all the recorded stuff plus security, it then asked if I would take part in a short survey, I pressed the key for "no", then got a message saying all advisors were busy and goodbye!  However, on the third attempt I pressed the key for "yes" I would take part in survey and hey bingo I was then in a queue for an advisor.  Not that they could answer why the disability element had been stopped.  All letters send Recorded and if you go onto their chat print it out at the end.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 28 May 2020 at 3:37PM
    Gellar9 said:I think it really is to do with them trying to take things away whilst everyone is pre-occupied with Covid-19, so it will go relatively un-noticed.
    I am more inclined to the view it's a ****-up rather than a conspiracy.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • Gellar9
    Gellar9 Posts: 48 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    Kitten347 said:
    Gellar, keep us posted and good luck!  If you do phone them prepare for a long wait.  When I phoned, went through all the recorded stuff plus security, it then asked if I would take part in a short survey, I pressed the key for "no", then got a message saying all advisors were busy and goodbye!  However, on the third attempt I pressed the key for "yes" I would take part in survey and hey bingo I was then in a queue for an advisor.  Not that they could answer why the disability element had been stopped.  All letters send Recorded and if you go onto their chat print it out at the end.
    calcotti said:
    Gellar9 said:I think it really is to do with them trying to take things away whilst everyone is pre-occupied with Covid-19, so it will go relatively un-noticed.
    I am more inclined to the view it's a ****-up rather than a conspiracy.
    Kitten - I imagine their will be a long wait. The online chat may be an idea too though. 
    I note on my account all of my future payments are normal, so no idea why yours was just cancelled. Someone there must know, unless it's a  mistake.

    calcotti - I sincerely hope you are right. I'd have hoped they't noticed the mistake by now though. I'd rather it is a !!!!!! up than lose the money.
  • Icequeen1
    Icequeen1 Posts: 451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    meoww999 said:
    Hi,
    I've received one of these a few days ago and have a similar situation to other members.  I was on Long Term IB until mid-2007 then moved onto WTC with disability element when I tried working part time as I can't work a full week due to a heart condition.  I have worked part time since then with no issues with renewing each year but this letter has got me a bit worried as I have never claimed the benefits they say have recently stopped. 
    One query I have got though is that I did get made redundant in August 2014 and couldn't get another job until June 2015.  I was advised to claim JSA and not ESA for this period by JCP as they said I'd still be getting NI Credits because of my long term illness and would help me get a job quicker.  When I restarted work, we checked with WTC advisor and they said it's fine for my claim to continue as I am still classed as disabled but now am concerned that this gap may have negative effects on my claim?  I don't think so because Case G states that once you are entitled to the disability element then it continues until a) the disabilty/illness improves and b) you are no longer entitled to WTC.  I assume that even though I wasn't entitled for those few months that as soon as I did become entitled again when I got a job, the eligiblity continues?  Do others agree as it is concerning me even though they have told us several times when renewing since then that the claim is fine!!  I just get a bit nervous about these things as have read so many horror stories re CTC/WTC!
    Unfortunately, i can't see how case G would applies, it only applies if you have received WTC with the disability element in the previous 56 days. So when you had the gap of work and went back in June 2015, it sounds like you are saying you didn't have a qualifying disablity benefit (you claimed JSA) and you didn't get the WTC disability element in the 56 days before you started working again. 
  • Icequeen1
    Icequeen1 Posts: 451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Gellar9 said:
    I have sent my form back via recorded delivery today, along with a three page essay stating my reasons for staying on (as I tick all the boxes), my history of receiving ESA with added element and my work history since claiming. I've also told them all about my illnesses, how they affect me and given my contact details if they wish to discuss with me, my GP details and my specialist details. 

    I will follow this up with them via telephone next week, once my form/letter has arrived.

    Thanks for the link whizzywoo - I watch with interest.

    I think it really is to do with them trying to take things away whilst everyone is pre-occupied with Covid-19, so it will go relatively un-noticed.
    Have they actually withdrawn the disability element or is the form giving you the opportunity to provide additional information before they do?
  • Gellar9
    Gellar9 Posts: 48 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 28 May 2020 at 5:38PM
    Icequeen1 said:
    Gellar9 said:
    I have sent my form back via recorded delivery today, along with a three page essay stating my reasons for staying on (as I tick all the boxes), my history of receiving ESA with added element and my work history since claiming. I've also told them all about my illnesses, how they affect me and given my contact details if they wish to discuss with me, my GP details and my specialist details. 

    I will follow this up with them via telephone next week, once my form/letter has arrived.

    Thanks for the link whizzywoo - I watch with interest.

    I think it really is to do with them trying to take things away whilst everyone is pre-occupied with Covid-19, so it will go relatively un-noticed.
    Have they actually withdrawn the disability element or is the form giving you the opportunity to provide additional information before they do?
    It's giving me the opportunity to offer information, and to confirm  I still work 16+ hours, still have a  disability and that I still qualify (which I do under Case G). 
    The thing that alarms me, is the opening line - "As your Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance/Personal Independent Payment has stopped....

    I never have claimed any of those, although I have been advised many times to apply for PIP.

    If I don't reply, they will assess my claim on the (false) information they have. 

    I had an issue with them in 2015 when they used Concentrix, who accused me of living with someone, when I lived on my own, as I do now. I had to get my landlord to confirm I was a sole tenant. That was a nightmare.


  • Kitten347
    Kitten347 Posts: 47 Forumite
    10 Posts Second Anniversary
    I've been on chat again!  Still no nearer as letter I sent is still being dealt with.  It's now 15 days since I spoke to them on phone.  That advisor should have requested someone phoned me and apparently he didn't.  Today's advisor on chat said the disability department is checking to see if the qualifying disability element still stands.
    As for getting call backs, apparently a new guidance has been produced over the last 24hrs regarding this measure but might take 5 days to get one.  I'm still no nearer :/
  • Gellar9
    Gellar9 Posts: 48 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    Kitten - Hope you get some answers soon. Do they work weekends?

    I did have a couple of thoughts.

    Has anyone who had had this letter received any prescriptions ? I know pharmacists are ticking the back of the prescription for us, rather than us signing. Could they have ticked the wrong box, thus hinting to HMRC we were no longer entitled?

    Also, has anyone had SSP? I was off work after being in hospital. My pay slip showed SSP, which was immediately deducted on the same slip, as my company paid me in full under it's company sick policy.

    May be totally unrelated, but just a couple of thoughts.
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