my advice is get some help from a Disability Advocate, C.A.B, I had no help what so ever from the benefits agency until an advocate got involved, once they got involved my benefits were reinstated the next day thankfully my situation is sorted out, i had the medical which put me as unfit for work

I know its a long post but I wanted to put enough details down, I know it's not the DWPs fault that there was a postal strike but its not my fault either The way I have survived is by using my credit card but even that option is not possible now as I can't use the cards until I make a payment, re Crisis loan/Social fund as I stands I would not be even able to make a minimal repayment as I don't have an income coming in until I lost my job due to my health I did not realise how much some genuine people on benefits get treated like second class citizens, At no stage have I even raised my voice or verbally abused advisors, If I had spoken to customers the way a few (not all are rude) of the DWP employees and Housing Benefits advisors have spoken to me I would have been disiplined. Sorry for the long rant but to be honest with you I don't know what I would do if I didn't get this off my chest

Hi I hope finally I might actually get a answer here as speaking to the DWP has left me frustrated Here whats happened, hopefully someone out there can point me in the right direction Back In November I received a letter saying that my ESA had been terminated as I had not attended a work assessment In mid October and I had not contacted the DWP to explain why I had not attend the assessment, I contacted the DWP to explain that I had not received any corespondence from them probably due to the postal strike I was advised to send a letter explaining the situation and a decision will be made quickly a few days later the appointment letter for the appointment I missed turned up and the letter asking me why I had missed the appointment followed by an earlier ESA letter dated early September, I contacted DWP that the letter had arrived, I was advised to wait for a responce week 2 2 weeks later I contacted the DWP, when I explained the situation that I had no money coming in a 3 children look after they told me that it usually takes a week for a responce, I politely told the operator that actually a fortnight had passed only to be told "well delays can happen" and "I don't know what you expect me to do" being slightly shocked I ended the call week 3 A letter came explaining my letter had been received and they would look into the matter week 4 now a month passed I contacted the Dwp imediately and told them that a month had passed and finances were critical, I was advised that I would just have to wait week 8 just before christmas I phoned again only to be told I will have to wait till up till the 24th of January before I would be informed if I could get ESA, 3 months from when my ESA was stopped, at this point I have received balliff letters and other legal chargeable letters as I an not able to pay bills. the advisor tells me that I should sign on as unemployed and that I should ask the social fund for a loan (as far as I know I would need a income to repay a loan?)this is not a option as im disabled and housebound and when I phoned the Job centre they advised me I could not do this as I am unable to seek employment My partner contacted C.A.B they advised her that once my appeal letter had arrived my benefits should have been reinstated and a decision should be made by the appeals section If I am still entitled or not on the Appeal date but I do not know if this is correct or not. so Should I be receiving benefit or not? I have not received any benefit since Mid october, is signing on as unemployed my only option even though I'm clearly unfit to work? I have been told to wait days weeks and months after each phone call I am now waiting for a visit from the balliffs as I can not even offer them a minimum payment I hope someone might explain what my next step should be Thanks for looking