Has anyone else had similar disappointing "help" from their MP?

Yes I thought that too, is this quite a common response from an MP (especially maybe when benefits related)? No, I haven't had any response from the appeal yet.

I contacted my MP asking for them to intercede, but it would seem that they are simply forwarding my emails/letters unedited. The replies were also simply sent back to me. Am I wrong in having expected more than that from them, perhaps a more active or proactive role? Unfortunately Shiv Malik is no longer investigating unjust sanctions. Are there any other reporters currently actively interested?

Many thanks for your help and the edit. I've sent the 2 emails, the appeal request will need to go regular post so I'll send it off on Monday. I also found this web page which could be helpful to anyone else who needs to appeal against a sanction: http://refuted.org.uk/2014/01/14/sanctionsappeal/

Hi, many thanks again for your reply. I wasn't sure whether you were saying I should or shouldnt add the line. Would something like this include everything I need:

Also, in the letter from the DWP it stated the sanction was based on a decision which included the words "whether you failed to comply with the requirements of the scheme to which you have been referred" - should I add an additional line to the Formal Request to Appeal "a description of which requirements of the scheme I failed to comply to" or is this sufficiently implied in the "explanation of the decision" line? Sorry for so many questions.

Hi, many thanks, I meant to say that the letters were emails. Would "Dear Mr X Smith" still be appropriate if there is nowhere to put the full title? Also for the second point my thinking had been that perhaps the MP might take it more seriously if he was aware the press were involved (as there might be reason to think he would be sympathetic with the sanctions rather than my appeal), but you are probably right and I wont make the references.

Two quick questions, firstly how do you address an MP in a letter, should I use a correct formal title or will "Dear Mr X" be sufficient? Secondly as I am writing to both Shiv Malik and my MP would it be advisable/beneficial to include that I am writing to the other in either/both letters? Many thanks Jan

Hi, many thanks for the quick reply. I am writing to Shiv Malik as you suggested in a previous post, I'll also write to my MP as you suggested. When I phoned the DWP to confirm receipt of my reply to the benefit doubt (which took an unnecessarily large number of calls) I was told during one call (and have read elsewhere) that the DWP have added this extra "mandatory reconsideration" step. I'll write the letter as you suggested but should I also try and begin the mandatory reconsideration process in case they refuse to process any other kind of appeal until that has happened? Many thanks Jan

Hi, I received a letter from DWP today stating my benefit has been stopped due to a decision made about a doubt (ie a sanction). The letter stated I need to get in touch by telephone or in writing within one month of the letter. It states I cannot appeal until they have looked at the decision again which they described as a "mandatory reconsideration" in which i can - ask for an explanation of the decision or - ask for a written explanation of the reasons of the decision - ask to look at the decision again to see if it can be changed - "There may be some facts you think we have overlooked, or you may have further information that affects the decision" To be honest, considering the basis of the initial doubt and the wording of my reply (see previous posts) I am truly stunned that the decision has gone this way. The wording in the letter suggested that the 3 options were a choice. Please can you advise on which I need to choose if I cannot choose more than one and what I should make of the "facts you think we have overlooked" Many thanks Jan

Many thanks, I took out the bit about the changing the date and added a request for the data and sent it. With the subject access request, I was confused about the £10 fee - is that something I'd have to pay? @Charlotte_Henderson - I havent signed anything yet apart from the security book at the entrance (as I'd want the services to know I was in the building if there was a fire). I don't have a problem signing anything I'm agreeable to as long as it can't be misused at a later date.

Hi - many thanks for your reply. The main outcome that I would hope for is that I will not be put in this situation again. Perhaps an alternative adviser is a way of achieving this. I have drafted a possible letter, again if possible can you give me any feedback - eg anything I should add or anything that is inappropriate: I thought about adding something about asking for assurances if an alternative adviser couldn't be provided but wasn't sure how to word this or if it was necessary. Other points I was considering adding, if relevant were: - The vulnerability I felt at the sudden change from friendliness to hostility followed by the aggressive move of her turning her disapproval into a benefit doubt (without first checking the legal validity of her claims) - I asked twice for a copy of the questionnaire answers given but was denied both times (despite wp paperwork stating I will have access to my data at all times) - some content of the questionnaire answers as given was significantly different to the answers typed by the adviser (I have examples but would rather not put them in a public forum) - the adviser went to speak with her manager before returning and stopping the appointment and later raising the benefit doubt and I have concerns that the manager may have contributed to the benefit doubt letter. The sanction doubt is another issue and my desired outcome is for there to be no sanction. If it does resolve with a sanction, I'll take the appeal steps and perhaps involve my MP and Shiv Malik at that point, hopefully to get it overturned. Many thanks Jan

Hi - does anyone have any advice/suggestions/opinions whether to go through the wp provider complaints process now, or wait for the outcome of the decision maker first, given the info in my previous post? Many thanks Jan

It looks like the outcome of the good reason letter won't be until after at least one more wp meeting. Regarding making a complaint using the provider's complaints procedure, I was wondering whether I should make the complaint before or after this outcome - I had been thinking of pros and cons for both. If I wait for the outcome then I would have it in black and white that the doubt raised carried no weight with the DWP (unless of course I am sanctioned - then I would have to rethink how to approach the complaint). Also, any further issues/problems arising for the additional meetings could be added to the complaint if necessary. However, would a delay mean that the complaint might carry less weight, and if so would this also be true if I explained that I had been waiting for the decision maker's outcome? Many thanks Jan PS@Madamfluff, I would be surprised if any sanction came from the photo ID issue, this seems to be the weakest part of the doubt's argument.

Hi just a quick question - what is the situation if I have another meeting with the wp provider before the decision maker has made a decision, and the adviser starts asking me again to do the things I declined in the first meeting. Many thanks Jan