Incapacity Benefit Stopped please can someone give some advice?

Sinkingindebt_2

Hi everyone,

I am claiming incapacity for Manic Depression. I had a letter about Feb, saying I had failed to attend a medical. I called them then, and said I had never received a letter for this medical, they said they were going to re arrange another letter to be sent.

Well I never heard anything and have been very sick so didn't think for one second to chase it up.

I got a letter on the 22/05 saying its been stopped because I failed to attend a medical, and I have been treated as capable of work from 21/04.

I am due my payment this wednesday so its a total shock and I'm pretty distraught as I have 2 small children to support.

I have called them but they cannot help, they advised to write in an appeal.

They did tell me full appeal could be 6+ months...

Can someone advise how i can get this sorted? I never avoided going to a medical, I just wasn't given the chance to attend!!! I cant believe they are allowed to just stop payments dead like this...I heard the horror stories about it before but didn't ever think i would have to bear the brunt of it...

Help! xox

colin13

I think u need to get in contact with CAB for further advise,,unfortunatey these letters r sent ou by post ,and if they do not arrive it deemed to b claiments fault for not turning up for medical, even although u never knew
can u not get in contact with local JOB CENTRE PLUS and c wot they have to say

darknesshayz

A friend has his stoped(Incompacity Benifit), but still gets Income Support, because he is appiling, they have taken £10 of (his Income Support) him a week.

Id try and ring Job Center or Citizans Advise Beru!

MRS_TO_BE_2

You say you have 2 small children. Are you a lone parent? If so claim Income Support (I.S).

Can may also be able to claim JSA ....it doesn't make sense at all but thats the normal route.

Otherwise your only other option is to claim incapacity under a different medical condition until the appeal is sorted.

I don't think you can claim I.S at a reduced rate whilst your appeal is being looked at as you can not appeal a failed to attend decision..only a decision that you are found fit to work through the medical but check. Your local Benefits office will be able to guide you through your options.

judy2357

From experience we have found that the Disability section of the Job Centre were very helpful or at least they were about 5 years ago. Seems to me you will have to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance although ironically to do this you are in fact saying you are available and able to work whereby appealling the Incapacity Benefit claim you are saying you are unfit for work. Maybe CAB or Job Centre can help you on this point. If you do appeal you really do need someone competent to help you fill out the forms/go to tribunal because without someone who is knowledgeable you honestly wont stand a chance. Going to a tribunal with my partner who has back problems for a Disability Living Allowance claim was very degrading and embarrassing (His CAB representative was unable to attend).

Loopy_Girl

Seems very odd as well that 2 letters sent from the DWP haven't made it through your letterbox. I'd have a word with your postman as well.

tom9980

Double check they have your correct address on file too.

lilac_lady

I'd ask the DWP for copies of the letters they sent to you just in case there's been a mistake and they weren't issued.

Elle00

Sinkingindebt wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I am claiming incapacity for Manic Depression. I had a letter about Feb, saying I had failed to attend a medical. I called them then, and said I had never received a letter for this medical, they said they were going to re arrange another letter to be sent.

Well I never heard anything and have been very sick so didn't think for one second to chase it up.

I got a letter on the 22/05 saying its been stopped because I failed to attend a medical, and I have been treated as capable of work from 21/04.

I am due my payment this wednesday so its a total shock and I'm pretty distraught as I have 2 small children to support.

I have called them but they cannot help, they advised to write in an appeal.

They did tell me full appeal could be 6+ months...

Can someone advise how i can get this sorted? I never avoided going to a medical, I just wasn't given the chance to attend!!! I cant believe they are allowed to just stop payments dead like this...I heard the horror stories about it before but didn't ever think i would have to bear the brunt of it...

Help! xox

If you mean two small children live with you then you can either claim lone parent Income Support while you're waiting for your appeal to go through or you'll just have to make do with your partner's wage while you're waiting.

Also, if the children live with you, then do social services or the health visitor have any involvement? I don't mean to be personal or offensive it's just that I know Manic Depression and small children don't mix! They might be able to put you in touch with any local charities who are able to offer advice and assistance. Often there are things available in one area that aren't in another.

If you can find a decent CAB advisor then they'll be able to work out exactly what the best route for you to take is.

In the meantime, see your GP and ask them to write a letter to the Job Centre explaining the implications the financial distress has had on your medical condition. It won't solve the problem but it should help.

punkpixie_2

it wouldn't have helped if you had gone to the medical i am signed off with depression and anxiety, i attended the medical and then got a letter saying i i had been assessed for a physical? so i called and they confirmed i hadn't been assessed for anything they had just sent an empty form back without assessing me and i got that letter the same day i got a letter telling me my benefits had stopped! handy that was, i have also been told to write an appeal and that i will get the benfits at a reduced rate until my appeal reaches them