Hi nblaen, They said that following the assessment, he no longer qualified as he didn't score enough points. However, they failed to ask him half the questions that they marked answers for and also failed to take note of his doctors report or advise. They didn't mention anything about my mum's income, that is purely for the fact that they don't receive any help towards house payments as they own it. thanks for your response

Hi I have read information on other threads about the Job centre suddenly stopping incapacity benefit and I think it is appalling. I thought I would tell you about my dad's situation. He has diabetes and a heart anurysm and leaking valve. It means he gets tired very easily, lack of concentration, can't carry heavy things and could be facing yet another vital heart op in the next 6 months. He had incapacity benefit, until they stopped it and sent a letter 2 days after they stopped it. They sent the form they did they assessment on, with half the questions hadn't even been asked to my dad at the assessment but yet they are marked down as 'fine'. Half the things they have marked down as he is ok, he isn't, it says he has no breathing difficulties and walking and carrying problems when he does - he wasn't even asked these questions!! They have to live off my mums part time wage for two people and get no help with the mortgage payments as they own their house, which I can't believe they can say they are not entitled to other benefits as apparently £600 is enough for two people as they don't take account of the mortgage,but they would get help if they rented. We are going to appeal and write to MP and have requested all details of their decision. I looked on the DWP website to find an address to send a Freedom of Information request to but they refer you to the job centre who's page no longer exists then when you search, they barely give you any details of people to send info request to. Also on job centre, I downloaded some of their 'information' leaflets about incapacity benefit, only to open them and find a sentence saying 'This information is no longer available. Please go to the jobcentreplus homepage'. Big game of back and forth between the DWP website and the Job Centre one. Anyone get the impression they are doing everything they can to make it harder for people to get the benefits they genuinely deserve??? I don't know how their 'doctors' can justify what they do. They haven't even looked at my dad's GP's report when considering his eligibility. The majority of the test concentrates on mental capacity to do a job - what about physical capacity, there are only half as many questions on that?? I feel so angry about what this is doing to my parents. I can't believe they can do this to all those genuine claims.

Hi, thanks for that. I have contacted the debt collection agency repeatedly to arrange repayment but they won't accept my offer, even though I proved to them I have no money spare as we are with debt management. Even so, surely I can still have the charges refunded separately to this as in my eyes they are two separate issues?? Is there a way I can go about enforcing them to send me the refund in a cheque? I just don't want to let it go as I feel I have been hard done to. I know I have to pay them what I owe them but likewise I feel they should pay me what they owe me. The main thing that annoys me is that as my ex is now bankrupt I become liable for the whole amount but yet half the charges to be refunded have gone to the insolvency to clear his bankruptcy - I'm not sure though that this wil be reflected in the full amount I now owe them? I hope that makes sense.

oh, and it also says on their close account form that they will not close it if its overdrawn

also, just checked their website on how to close an account and I am supposed to fill a form in and send it to their head office and I need my ex's signature as well - no chance of getting that. Also that will take ages to close it - by which time they'll prob have put the money back into the account from insolvency service. HELP !!!!!! I'm going mad now

I think the account has been passed to debt collectors - can I still arrange a payment plan with the bank? Also, can they stop me from closing the account? Is there any way they can say I can't close it cause its got an outstanding balance or cause my ex is still named on it?? Just think they might play silly buggers with me !!

ok, my ex went bankrupt and halifax sent me a letter saying they would send £900 as refund of charges to insolvency service within 14 days if I didn't respond. I sent back within 6 days and they received the letter on 13th April. Had no response so rang them and she said she hadn't responded to letter. So she read it and said she couldn't help and I needed to speak to collections who wanted to pass me onto their solicitors who are deling with the outstanding amount I owe them. anyway the halifax lady spoke to insolvency service and said they will put my half of charges (£459.50) in the joint account which I can't use, don't use and can't get at cause I owe them about £1000 in overdraft to be honest I don't know how much the charges add up to - I think it is about £900 I just rang them back again and said it was my right to have it paid however I want and that coventry did the same and she said that because the account is open and there is an outstanding balance it is their policy to put them straight back into the account and that was final. I said on the phone that if they were not prepared to send me a cheque I will have to take it further and file a claim. Do you think it is wise to go and try to close the account today or will they not close it because of outstanding balance and my ex being on it?

HI Chloejane - let me knwo if this works and I'll post all the stuff!! Ta K1308