Seetec/ESA/Carers Work Programme

[pastanutty]

GOOD NEWS !!!

We won appeal without going to tribunal.

 

Got letter today saying being put into support group and money backdated from August 2012 to May 2013 and the new rate of benefits

 

money is already in bank.

 

what happens now ?

 

do we get left alone ?

no more appointments at SeeTec ?

[Nystagmite]

Yes, you're now left alone. You can choose (I wouldn't) to see an adviser about getting back into work though.

[pastanutty]

great

left alone for how long ?? (officially)

so won't get bothered by the work programme farce or any jc+ non-advisors ?

[pastanutty]

only started the appeal in April

is this a record ?

[osdset]

only started the appeal in April

is this a record ?

 

I think it's safe to say your case never made it to appeal, the decision was made on a reconsideration.

[Nystagmite]

You shouldn't get hassled unless your wife is put into WRAG. That being said, I had the WP contact me when I was put into the support group. Despite me telling them this, they did say they'll contact me again. A quick visit to JCP stopped this.

[ellie12022]

Good news Pastanutty! Have they given you an idea of when the eSA is likely to be reviewed?

[pastanutty]

I haven't a clue

 

no we just got a letter stating your ESA has been backdated to august 2012 because you are in the support group and from April 2013 your money will increase

 

I assume it was a reconsideration that looked at the evidence from her GP, mental health team and the CAB

 

it has the usual how we worked it out sheet attached on the last page and if you want to appeal the decision sheet (lol)

 

it also say after 26 weeks your partner (me) may be called for a work focused interview ??

is this a joke ? ^^^

yet they know I'm her 24/7 carer !!

[pastanutty]

I assume she won't be called for the work programme at SeeTec anymore

they (SeeTec) said they would be calling on the 22nd June to see if she is any better, we've been sending sick notes to them as advised by CAB

I would guess they wouldn't have got the message that she is now in the support group

if they call, can I tell them to shove it ?

[ellie12022]

hi pastanutty, i wouldn't worry too much about the partner bit, that will just be a standard letter..I hope you've got copies of everything to save time whenever the review comes up, it seems like the maximum you can get in support group is 3 years, but some people get given as little as 3 months. But it's great that you've got there and got the backdated money = no more Seetec!

[pastanutty]

don't worry I got copies of everything that the govt send us and have the phone on loudspeaker and also I record on my dictaphone add I make sure I write down phone calls with them and have a witness to hear the conversation too, you never know they may 'lose' something important...

I CC'd the CAB into all correspondence that have come to us and CAB have done the same for us too...

gave permission for the CAB to act on our behalf so I guess they got copies of it all too...

[pastanutty]

where would I find out how much time has been given in the support group ?

[Nystagmite]

You can probably phone up. But the time they give is just a recommendation and you can be reviewed at any time.

 

As mentioned before, the work programme called me after I was put into the support group. They claim I was put into the work group and said they had a letter from JCP stating this. They then asked how long I was put into the support group for. I think they were secretly hoping I'd say yes to seeing them again. Given the issues I had with them, I declined.

 

I seem to remember with work focused interviews, (WFIs) you don't have to do anything they recommend. You only have to turn up.

[pastanutty]

so my wife would be exempt from the WFI yet I wouldn't be ?

[pastanutty]

I'm just wondering as well,

should I tell the council about a change in circumstances ?

ie for council tax and housing benefit etc ?

[Nystagmite]

Yes. You may find that now you'll have to pay less or no council tax / housing benefit.

[pastanutty]

ok but we don't pay council tax or housing benefit already

will this affect her DLA too ?

[Nystagmite]

No, DLA won't be affected.

[ellie12022]

You are still a carer, pastanutty, so same rules apply to you as before

[pastanutty]

thanks

[pastanutty]

hi its me again...

I'm just wondering if its worth setting up a savings account with the back payment received

its around £1000 and put it in the bank and just 'forget' about it and add to it.

or will we get penalised by having benefits reduced ?

maybe I should just put it under the bed then they can't trace it ?

[Nystagmite]

Your benefits will only be affected if you have more than £6000 in savings.

[pastanutty]

is that £6000 each or between us ?

 

what if I happen to have £12,000 in a safe a home ?

[osdset]

is that £6000 each or between us ?

what if I happen to have £12,000 in a safe a home ?

 

Keep quiet about it.

[pastanutty]