Thanks, I just called housing office and they don't let you have more for moving to a higher value as other stuff is taken in to consideration - will need to find out more. They also said (not sure how true it is) that if Father is disabled and in private sector no bedroom tax on renting 3 bed instead of 2 even though 2 is entitlement is that right?

Apologies if this is the wrong forum/area. Admin - please move if appropriate. OK, will try and be brief: I live at home with my parents, we have a2 bed property and a joint tenancy (my signature and my parents signature are on the agreement) I get HB and ESA (previously JSA) and my Mother and Father between them get HB, Disability (higher for Father middle for Mother and carers allowance), pension and pension credit. Our HB is paid monthly for the cost of the rent (50% Father and 50% myself) and I transfer my money to Father who pays rent from his account. As we are joint tenants (1 room each) we get the 50% of actual rent each. If we were to move house would we still be entitled to (in the same area) the 50% each as long as we do a joint tenancy? Also, at the moment our rent is £700pcm so we get £350pcm each - of we found somewhere nicer at say £800pcm would we get the £400pcm as long as it remained within the allowance for the council? I think the single rate in my council is around £444pcm so in effect would it be feasible to look for somewhere at £888pcm (we are not but want to maybe go a bit higher at say £800pcm) or would the council see it as 'no need to move if not given notice' or 'why should we pay more when you should be decreasing value not increasing' or would itbe exercising our right to fall in the allowance guidelines whatever we choose to do? A bit confusing but a few issues with landlord and agreement is up mid December so if possible want to look at options. Many thanks

They DESPISE people that (a) know rules and regulations and (b) follow correct protocol and © stick up for themselves i.e. like you and me and many others on here. They thrive on picking off the weak and those unable to defend themselves and those are the people that get sanctioned. Good for you and glad you are showing you are not an easy touch - if we were all able to be like this the JCP/DWP would hate it, but, as stated, they thrive on picking on the weak.

Email reply just now: "we like to keep sick notes on file for each work programme participant so it would be in your best interest to supply this to us when you have it" Is this a veiled threat? If so it is not going to work as my ESA benefit does not require me to supply them this information, only the DWP ESA and health professionals are privy to this document. I am not replying any more.

So am I (at the moment anyway) although I know I will be back with them sooner rather than later

They have a high opinion of themselves, always have, they think they are the gods of finding work - at the end of the day, DWP are their masters and they have no legal impact at all. Of course DWP are so overrun they have agencies like INGEUS to fall back on and blame for cock ups.

If I use big words their confusion may make their heads explode!

I have just emailed INGEUS back and said: "Fit/sick notes are forwarded to DWP ESA in good time to aid my ESA claim - there is no need for INGEUS to maintain a record of this"

Reply received this morning by email below - is it normal for them to ask for copies of sick notes as well? That is fine, I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling any better. I will cancel the appointment arranged. If you could send a copy of your new sick certificate when you get it, so that I could update our records.

Well done - always nice to see a positive outcome. As others have said, keep everything safe and keep multiple copies.

Insist they fax the sick note to DWP and insist on a report from the fax machine. JCP are there to serve YOU as a PUBLIC SERVICE.

They are clever, I will give them that - they know the majority of ESA claims are going to be anxiety and depression as there is still a stigma over these conditions and people think you can simply get a GP appointmentand get some pills and get signed off work/JSA - problem is for all the people that do try it on (small % I hope) most are genuine people with anxiety and depression problems. ATOS seems to be all about physical rather than mental so many people score ZERO

I know someone who I used to see at JCP when I signed on who also moved to ESA who was asked to attend an ATOS appointment in Edinburgh .... she lives in Essex like me. You couldn't make it up could you?!

Can I just add that when I started my ESA claim they accepted a faxed copy from my GP whilst my original was sent in the post. If you use ths route it is best to ask JCP to fax it to them and then they can provide you with the fax receipt - this will ensure prompt payments. Good luck

My Father is with EON and also got the letter and it has already been credited to the account. It is his account but I pay the bills (live at hole as well) so he is eligible as the account holder in the property. Makes a change to get something from them rather than paying - now got a lovely credit on the account which is nice for the winter. This does not affect winter fuel payment either (so I have heard anyway)

Thanks - already sent email off, sort of the same - this is it: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL – RECIPIENTS ONLY Dear XXXX (Cc XXXX at JCP) Thank you for your letter dated 30th September 2014 As you know I am currently on ESA (Assessment Phase) and due to renew my sick note in the coming 2 weeks. My condition has not changed and I have regular appointments with my health care professional team to discuss these issues. In addition to this and without wishing to go in to details I am also due major surgery shortly so am under a consultants care for this. As an ESA (AP) claimant I am not mandated to attend WP appointments and nor will non-attendance affect my benefits so at this stage it is not beneficial to the progress of my health as I am not actively seeking work at this moment in time. Should this change post ESA when I move back to JSA (no date) I will endeavour to contact you and enrol back on to the Work Programme with INGEUS and have regular appointments with you. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/340678/wp-pg-chapter-5.pdf Mandatory participant moves from JSA to ESA 32. Where you are notified that a mandatory JSA participant has ceased their requirements should be treated as the same as those of a Voluntary ESA participant until the outcome of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Whilst I understand the standpoint from INGEUS and needing to engage with the client (in this case me) as mentioned above, in my circumstance this is totally voluntary and not mandatory so at this stage I am electing to decline this appointment with no further action in relation to sanction. Kind regards

Thanks, just what I needed!

Thanks Mr P, as I thought. You are right, the letter contains no information about benefit sanctions etc so it seems it is a 'try on' letter if you like. I don't want to say the wrong thing and don't want to babble either so is there a paragraph I can quote without being rude but also making it clear I have no intention of attending? I was thinking along the lines of: Dear XXXX Thank you for your letter dated xxxxx As you know I am currently on ESA (Assessment) and due to renew my sick note in the coming 2 weeks. My condition has not changed and I have regular appointments with my healthcare professional team to discuss these issues. In addition to this and without wishing to go in to details I am also due major surgery so am under a consultants care for this. As an ESA claimant I am not mandated to attend WP appointments and at this stage it is not beneficial to my progress as I am not actively seeking work. Should this change post ESA when I move back to JSA (no date) I will endeavour to contact you and enroll back on to the WP with you. INSERT GUIDELINES HERE I would ask at this stage that no further appointments or communications are sent to me whilst I am undergoing healthcare treatment. How does that sound?

Just got my post Letter word for word is: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT This letter contains the details of your next appointment. We look forward to seeing you again and continuing to support you to find the right job. APPOINTMENT DETAILS HERE It is very important you attend all appointments. If you cannot attend, you must contact us as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made for a new appointment. Out relephone number is: xxxxx Your activities for your next appointment are: To discuss current circumstances (a) Legally do I have to attend or rearrange being on ESA (not had ATOS yet) (b) Ironically I have a medical appointment that day anyway © This REALLY is not helping my recovery (d) No mention of MANDATED (e) My circumstances (A&D & surgery) are NOTHING to do with them (between me and my health professionals treating me with impending surgery) (f) Can I email them a response and if so can I quote any legal jargon to help me not attend in the short term whilst I get sorted Basically, my circumstances when on ESA are nothing to do with them - they can offer no help or support and I do not want to discuss anything like this with them. Am I legally obliged to attend or rearrange or not whilst on ESA assessment phase? I want to get something off by email today if possible as well as copy my old JCP adviser in on the email. Many thanks in advance

I am dreading my assessment - seems to be focussed mostly on physical rather than mental. I also will score ZERO I know that. If they want me back on JSA, fine, won't last long as I am due major surgery in the next few months so will be back on ESA faster than DWP can say "better off in work" I am sure a prospective employer will be glad to hear someone they are thinking of taking on has ongoing anxiety and depression problems as well as impending major surgery - what a great candidate I seem

Thanks, I got email otification of reply so came on straight away! Called ESA - they said it was fine, my last payment on sick note is fine until 30th October so they don't physically need a new one until 7th November so will get one around 20th October and then send it off in good time - panicking over nothing again - even if late they said I can get JCP to scan across to them. Now to sort my surgery out - not happy, very scared of general anesthesia and not being in control

Thanks all, my GP couldn't issue a new sick note for me today as his system wouldn't allow it as it was 'too early' He said to try again with him around a week before expiry but that will leave very little time to get it and send to DWP for processing won't it? I am going to call ESA in the morning anyway to clarify

Thanks, sick note will be going off Thursday (GP tomorrow) so if my current one runs out Oct 28 should I get the GP to start the new one from tomorrow for the 12 weeks or from October 28th? ATOS/DWP do not know about surgery yet as I have no date. In fact even though I need this procedure done it is not classed as urgent or life threatening so I can't see it being until the new year anyway as I need further tests before admittance anyway. I will of course keep all paperwork and appointment letters for evidence. Many thanks

Brilliant, thanks for this - very helpful. I am renewing my sick note on Wednesday (have a GP appointment) Current one runs out 28th October so they should have it at the latest 2 weeks before the current one runs out. As the sick note is for A&D but now I have a condition awaiting surgery do you think the sick note should also state this? I have already done my ESA50 - it turned up around 2 weeks after my claim but obviously not heard anything as yet although I know they have it as I have signed proof via recorded delivery. Once again, many thanks

It is one part of why I claim ESA but not 100% of the claim although ESA know about the condition as I decalred it with consultants notes when I claimed. I am on assessment phase and have been for about 2 months now - got GP appt Wednesday to renew my sick note as this one runs out October 28th