Utter Despair - ESA stopped

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I'm fairly sure that you don't have to put much on the GL24 if you don't have the information to hand, although sometimes it helps the decision maker to decide to reinstate your benefits.

 

There's a time limit for appealing, 28 days or maybe a day or two longer, don't miss that.

 

HB

[MCBIRNIE25]

Hi Watchdog,

yes, got the GL24 in as soon as possible, write on the bottom further evidence to follow.

Then when you get that report go through it with a fine tooth comb, mark out any inconsistencies. Use the benefits and work site if needed. It is excellent when it comes to constructing an appeal.

I note in your posts you state that you have mobility issues too. Have you thought about claiming DLA or its equivalent too? This is a different benefit to ESA for those with mobility and care issues. You are still allowed free prescriptions pending your appeal, it's a grey area though, hence why you need to get your appeal in asap.

I would also send it in recorded delivery,as these things have a habit of "going missing" scope out your local foodbanks too, there will be one by you i'm sure.

Best of luck.

[MCBIRNIE25]

It is 28 days, miss that and you need a very good reason. Once you ahve sent in GL24, go and see your GP and heart specialist, ask if they would be willing to do you a letter of support over your benefits, explaining your condition fuller. I've noticed some GPs will, others make a charge, but most hospital specialists will do this. The more evidence you can collate the better.

[watchdog19664]

Update - ok not a good start so far. went to GP and no sick note has been issued. He is of course away today I also tried Honeybees link to Trussel Trust and it says No results for my area :/

[MCBIRNIE25]

Why has a sick note not been issued? Did you ask for one? Ring the practice manager, tell them you need one urgently for a benefit claim.

What area are you in, so we can help further?

[watchdog19664]

Hi guys just seen he additional info for which I thank you. Could I clarify my mobility problems are actually as a result of a sever neck and back injury, I have seen a Consultant Specialist for this and she has diagnosed a Degenerative condition which will only worsen and she feels is untreatable, the heart attacks were an additional problem, I believe brought on by the stress of fighting to keep, then losing my job which I was off sick from because of the neck and back injury.

I will go ahead and send the GL24 in with as much information as I can for now and mark it as suggested with more information to follow.

[watchdog19664]

Why has a sick note not been issued? Did you ask for one? Ring the practice manager, tell them you need one urgently for a benefit claim.

What area are you in, so we can help further?

 

yes I told the receptionist I need it and why as a matter of urgency, she mustered up all the urgency of a snail on valium and reluctantly agreed to send the GP an e-mail. I told her that its not good enough - I have extremely limited petrol left and now Im going to have to waste more on going back to them. I have heard that DWP are now writing to GP's telling them not to issue anymore sick notes to people as they have been deemed fit for work. I understand there is a small line in a large paragraph that reads "unless they are appealing" which most GP's of course dont even get to in reading this crap. I live in Clanfield, near Portsmouth

[Desperate Daniella]

I've just looked at the Portsmouth City Council website and they say that if you are waiting for benefits then you should apply to DWP for a crisis loan, now called a "short term advance" so I would call DWP and quote that information to them.

[watchdog19664]

ok thanks Daniella, I see what you mean - my council is South East Hants so I will see if they have the same. I just wrote a stinking e-mail to teh Surgery (not rude but to the point) blasting them for their inaction. oops

[Desperate Daniella]

South Hants may be different. That is part of the problem; there is no particular scheme in place for all the councils to adhere to.

 

Good for you. Some receptionists can be sweet but other treat patients as though they are a nuisance and that is not very kind, especially in a situation like this.

[watchdog19664]

sorry its East hants - hell it gets confusing lol - and as you rightly said they have a different Policy - I have e-mailed them too as their site just says "these are provided by outside agencies" really helpful!

[Desperate Daniella]

As you say, "really helpful."

[watchdog19664]

Hi, just a quick update to say my GP rang at 8am and has promised my new sick certificate will be waiting for me later today. something good at last!

[honeybee13]

Oh good. Let's hope you're on a roll now.

 

Hugs, HB

[Desperate Daniella]

That's good news, and something you don't have to worry about today. Let's hope, as HB says, you are on a roll now.

 

DDxx

[watchdog19664]

That would be good DD but I wont count my chickens just yet. sent off my appeal this morning now I have the sick certificate. used my last few pounds to send it special delivery so its tracked and signed for which kinda stuck in the throat but least I'll know its there safely. I saw a dreadful story on facebook this morning of a Wolverhampton lady who committed suicide by jumping from a car park, they dont know why other than she was shouting about the Govt and Child Benefits just before she took her life. I fear that more people will die because of this cold,callous Government DD

[Desperate Daniella]

Sadly you really do have to send things in that way because otherwise they'll deny all knowledge of it. My friend returned forms in an envelope they had sent to her and they blamed her for sending the forms to the wrong address! She was then given a fax number, and when she chased up they said it was the wrong fax number and nothing to do with them, and finally they admitted that it was a temporary number in an adjoining office because their own had been broken at the time.

 

Desperately sad about that poor women in Wolverhampton. I haven't seen the story. They are a really rotten government. I met IDS years ago and I couldn't stand him. Everyone I knew thought he was a total plonker. Talk about a prime example of failing upwards. His safety net of course was his wife who has a rich father. (She is lovely; I can't imagine what she saw/sees in him.) The whole lot of them cause so much misery and they are completely oblivious to it. It's as if they live in a parallel universe.

[watchdog19664]

that is so true DD, they do not view life through the eyes of normal human beings, my blood boils when I read things like they get £168pw grocery allowance and £72 breakfast allowance - dear God I could buy a months groceries for £72. well I am not one to take and not give back and some of these awful stories have really made me mad and desperately sad at the same time so I have started an e-petition to HM Govt demanding that they cease using ATOS and their flawed reports and cease the practice of stopping peoples Benefits and leaving them peniless. I'm just waiting to see if it will be approved by the e-petition site. I hope it does cos I will plaster it all over facebook and twitter!

[Desperate Daniella]

Their allowances are staggering. I can feed two of us on £72 a month if I have to, and I have had to. Fortunately I can cook from scratch and have an eye for a bargain and I never waste food.

 

I do hope your petition is approved. Never mind facebook and twitter, what about CAG?!!!! I'm sure you'd find a lot of people signing if you post the link.

[watchdog19664]

but of course DD! I didnt want to just assume but I would love to have it on here if it gets approved. They sicken me with their allowances and then sit there and dictate that I can live on £66 per week then I have to use half of that to top up my rent cos they dont pay it all. Grrrrrrrrr

[Nystagmite]

Have you applied for a discretionary housing payment from the council?

[watchdog19664]

no I havent Nystagmite -what is it? I get housing Benefit which only covers 2/3 of my rent and I did get the ESA until they stopped it.

[watchdog19664]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr these morons! rang Council and told them about ESA as was suggested, got a letter this morning saying they have stopped my housing Benefit and includes an 8-page form to complete and return. No return envelope nuthin!

[Desperate Daniella]

I'm so sorry. They all move so quickly to stop money but when it's due to someone they can drag it out forever.

 

I don't know about the Discretionary Housing Benefit, but on the Shelter website it says you may get a payment if you could become homeless and as the landlord is being difficult you could tell them that. Nystagmite could probably tell you more when she is next on.

[Desperate Daniella]

Update - ok not a good start so far. went to GP and no sick note has been issued. He is of course away today I also tried Honeybees link to Trussel Trust and it says No results for my area :/

 

There are other organizations who do this too. If you type in Foodbank and your nearest big town you might find something there.