Help! Friend's benefits have been stopped

Muttleythefrog

itsthelittlethings said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Bottom line.. he needs to find out what has happened. Entirely possible he's failed to comply with a review or some other requirement if they're evasive. Unfortunately it sounds like they'll need to get someone to help them call or call... this problem is not going away but we're clueless to help unless we know what it is. For universal credit he can contact them in his journal... but only worth doing if that's where a problem lies.

I'm not sure I'd describe him as evasive. He's been managing a chronic condition for many years.

Just a suggestion regarding benefits.... many claimants with mental health problems or demanding physical conditions who struggle to administrate life fail to communicate at the basic level (form filling, even reading mail etc) regarding their benefits... that's the sense I mean in terms of evasive... avoidant might be better term to use but you'll know if relevant. If this case repeats similar sounding ones here then I suspect you will struggle to get meaningful and accurate information to help... but as minimum hopefully they can watch their bank account to determine which benefits have stopped as they should be on predictable dates. DLA being essentially unrelated to ESA/UC is less likely to be involved in whatever issue there is. If they have received a letter stopping their ESA then any info on that could be revealing... if they've not received a letter or communication about such then checking bank might be worth it as recent payments may be affected in timing by the festive seasons/bank holidays. ESA typically paid fortnightly, UC monthly, DLA (or PIP) 4 weekly.

itsthelittlethings

He’s still getting his DLA. I wryly suggested to him alcohol was off the cards and he should call his GP. I set him a task to ring DWP. He is unable to log into his UC account but I suspect they may still be paying for his housing. I pray so, anyway. He seems to be quite good at keeping a flat.

poppy12345

itsthelittlethings said:

He’s still getting his DLA. I wryly suggested to him alcohol was off the cards and he should call his GP. I set him a task to ring DWP. He is unable to log into his UC account but I suspect they may still be paying for his housing. I pray so, anyway. He seems to be quite good at keeping a flat.

If his rent is included with his UC then it will not be paid because UC have closed the claim. 

itsthelittlethings

He wants his rent paid direct to his landlord.

itsthelittlethings

I just wouldn’t think it’s that difficult to set up…

It’s beyond me really.

KxMx

That is easy to set up, it's basically a case of asking UC for an Alternative Payment Arrangement so the money is paid directly to landlord.

If he uses a Journal message, it's best to use the Payment option as those messages go to the case manager. 

It requires the UC claim to be open though. 

huckster

Depends on whether it is social rented through housing association which is easier to set up as a direct payment, than private housing to a landlord.

Wobbly_World

I understand why you do not want to be your friends appointee. The idea of phoning DWP and your friend giving you permission to talk could work. You do not have to be physically with your friend. The three-way conference call is possible. I have done this several times with DWP when I've needed support of an advocate. I've explained how I do this below, though it might vary between phones. 

On my phone I call the advocate and I will then add DWP to the phone call by pushing the + button from the call screen and dialing DWP number. Whilst it is ringing, the first person is put on hold/muted automatically. When DWP answers (automatic message) the + button changes to 'merge' so I push this button and both calls are then merged and we can all hear each other. We then explain to DWP that it is a conference call and they ask me if I'm happy for the advocate to speak for me.

The above works if the DWP call your friend too. Your friend can tell them he first needs to add your to the call before talking.

itsthelittlethings

I want to supply a resolution as soon as often you don’t get these. Things seem to have been sorted (well, not everything!). Many thanks for all you help and support.

itsthelittlethings

He told me everything was fine but his ESA is still not reinstated. Could it be migration?