my friend Cathy and benefits story

[Helen2264]

Helen2264, Normally the Mental health care Team as a emergency response team which could speed up care for Cathy. It really sounds like she needs help urgently. Social Services are o.k but reading through the last few posts I feel that Cathy may be at risk. I am not an expert but I have had and still suffer from anxiety and Cathy is showing many of the symptoms I showed before I was admitted to hospital.

 

Thank you for your reply, we are waiting from the Mental Health care team for an appointment, they keep moving about the staff themselves don't know what's happening, I have been chasing them and keeping an eye on Cathy if she gets any worse I have the emergency number for the hospital mental health care team!

 

I've seen cathy like that several times before over the years, since her dwp adviser signed her on to Ingeus she gone downhill, her paranoia is very stressful indeed and now she is more forgetful or just don't connect much with me, I've chatted with her and trying to reassure her that I am taking matters in my own hands and for her to stop worrying but it's hard to get through to her, I am giving her a little time out after such a stressful week last week and not talking about Ingeus or the dwp, I've had to cancel two lots of doctors appointment as soon as she need to go out she just go to pieces and keep asking me why are we seeing the doctor for she totally forget why, good job the doctor says we can ring in as a telephone appointment if she cannot go to the surgery!

 

One biggest scary for her is being admitted to hospital, I think that's another reason she is avoiding going to the doctor, it's like a catch 22, the dwp or Ingeus will say she hasn't visit her gp so nothing wrong with her but they are not seeing what's going on! I shan't be in touch with the social services at the moment just concentrating on the doctor for now and also cathy mentioned she does not want to see Ingeus so call mental health professional!

 

I am just waiting from Ingeus and also have reassure cathy that will not be going to the next appointment!

[Helen2264]

Helen - have you (or anyone working on Cathy's behalf) told DWP that there's been a change in her condition? It sounds to me as though Cathy should be in the support group. From what you say on here, she's in no fit state to attend the work programme.

 

And well done for the help you're giving Cathy. [/quote

 

Thank you for your kind comment, I am the only one looking after cathy and her mother as well, her mother is in a care home near where I live! I've known them for some 30 odd years they were my neighbours when my parents and I live in islington borough, we are like family now, both her and the mother do not trust anyone but me, good job I have plenty proof, letters, power of attorney, I've dealed with the mother's circumstances on cathy's behalf for years now, long before this esa, Ingeus business, so dwp and Ingeus will have proof that cathy has not dealt with anything for years and still cannot now, I am just glad they have no property, or savings I have to worry about, neither cathy or her mother understand what is going on, it makes life easier for me! The mother is suffering from advance dementia and cathy I believe is suffering in a mild form at the moment!

 

Yes that's what I am trying to get her into the support group, I gather the dwp perhaps have destroyed all old medicals and paperworks with themselves, otherwise it will show the last medical she had 2011 said she's will be on IB indefinitely due to her mental health illnesses!

 

I will inform them the dwp about her illness being worse, I am a bit unsure how I go about it before they mess everything up, I need to focus and think clearly before approaching them!

[Helen2264]

Helen: If you can get hold of the Third Party contracts manager at your local JCP/DWP office, it might help to have an informal chat with him/her.

 

Tell him of your concerns that Cathy was coerced in to signing up for the WP and that she is/was in no position to give "informed consent" due to mental health issues. Point out that the "personalised and tailored" support provided to date by Ingeus has pushed her further away from the job market and see if the DWP will reconsider her placement.

 

Would also be worth getting your local MP involved as he/she will have access to the head of the DWP.

 

 

Thanks Paul, I am afraid I will need to search for the third party contracts manager, I definitely need to do something as soon as before cathy go into a full blown breakdown, she had a massive one in 2001 and several milder ones since, she was trying to get control of her illness, she don't go anywhere mind that at least can be proven if they wish to check her bank statement,there won't be seeing any restaurants, outings, traveling shows on her bank statement to show that she is going out and socialising, she hasn't been since her breakdown in 2001.

 

Yes it has definitely push her further away not only from the job market but from her being too! Being with Ingeus and their so call mental health professional will not solve her illness it will make matter worse as it has already because she is connecting Ingeus with going back to work which she cannot face at the moment!

 

Yes I will try and get in touch with my MP it's a bit hard as she is homeless with no fixed address but mine, hopefully we can get some help!

[speedfreek]

Yes I will try and get in touch with my MP it's a bit hard as she is homeless with no fixed address but mine, hopefully we can get some help!

 

You really need to give the SHELTER national help line a bell for this. They can talk you through and advise you on what to do to make a homelessness application with the local council.

 

Very helpful they are too.

 

Then you'll probably need to approach her GP 1, to see if they have a charity/service they sign post homeless people too & 2, for a letter to support her homeless application with the council due to mental health/medical grounds.

 

My GP has just dome both for me so it's well worth asking.

[mr_mastiff]

Helen I believe you should give the emergency number a call. Normally the assessment is done within the home environment. As for seeing the Atos Mental Heath Professional she as a perfect right to refuse to see her/him. Just because she as Mental Health problems does not mean she as no rights. I could argue that if the nurse as no mental health qualifications that Atos are in breach of the data protection act because she as no professional reason to view them.

 

One last point I can only echo nystagmites WELL DONE!!!

[Mr.P]

I am afraid I will need to search for the third party contracts manager

 

Will ping you a couple of names & phone numbers in a moment. The guys listed are on the ESF team, but they will (should ?) be able to put you through to the TPPM office.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Mr.P

[Nystagmite]

My concern about this "mental health professional" is that they have no access (or shouldn't do) to Cathy's medical records; so may not know the extent of her problems or the treatment she's had. There might be problems if her mental health team try one treatment and this "mental health professional" try another.

[Mr.P]

There might be problems if her mental health team try one treatment and this "mental health professional" try another.

 

A WP provider "health professional" can NOT provide or recommend ANY treatment, nor can they mandate anyone to visit a medical provider or undertake a course of treatment - This is quite clearly set out in DWP guidance.

If ANY WP employee or agent so much as even hands over an asprin, they should be reported immediately to the GMC and possibly the police.

[**Margaret**]

:Helen2264:

 

From what you've written, your friend's situation's fast becoming untenable. Shall leave others to advise on the best ways of coping with nastos ngeus, but here's the procedure for '...... trying to get her into the support group ......'

 

Letter to your friend's benefit centre to declare a change of circumstances; worsening condition and deterioratation of mental function. Ask for a new decision (supersession) as to her capability for work related activity. With supportive medical evidence from her doctor/mental health services if you can get it. If your friend doesn't get to see a mental health professional within the next few days a statement from you, as her carer, will do in the interim. (Doesn't matter that you may not be officially recognised as her carer.) In due course (unless there's enough medical evidence) your friend will get another ESA50, and possibly a trip to Tatos, and she can argue for part 2 of reg 35 if she doesn't meet one of the descriptors.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf

(Pages 26 - 27)

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/794/regulation/35/made

 

While ever your friend has a conversion award of employment n support Jobcentreplus should have the paperwork for her incapacity benefit claim. Try the form below to her benefit centre. Jobcentreplus don't charge for subject access.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-request-for-personal-information

You must be exhausted with all this caring and trying to cope with nastos ngeus.

Margaret prescribes as much rest on the as poss.

Before Tatos decide you're fit for work!!

Edited August 24, 2013 by **Margaret**

[Helen2264]

Hello Everyone,

 

Just received the new ESA50 form for my friend Cathy, the form is different from the one I filled in for her for her last medical, it's about face-to-face assessment!

 

The old form also had a part for people who filled in the form for you this one has nothing and goes straight to the part where it says:-

 

Tell us about any times or dates in the next 3 month when you cannot go to a face-to-face assessment, I found that a bit caught off guard especially for people who has difficulty filling in the form by themselves how bad are they getting those people.

 

I will be going with her so I shall fill in on blank paper what are needed.

 

Also we have not heard from Ingeus since 3rd of August 2013 they seems to have completely forgot about her, suits us fine because she has got worst since that last appointment with Ingeus, I shall use that when filling her esa50 form.

 

Just thought I come and have a little rant, hope you lot won't mind.

 

Take care all.

 

helen

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Are you able to scan up the form please? People may not have seen one, I haven't.

 

My best, HB

[mr_mastiff]

Hello Everyone,

 

Just received the new ESA50 form for my friend Cathy, the form is different from the one I filled in for her for her last medical, it's about face-to-face assessment!

 

The old form also had a part for people who filled in the form for you this one has nothing and goes straight to the part where it says:-

 

Tell us about any times or dates in the next 3 month when you cannot go to a face-to-face assessment, I found that a bit caught off guard especially for people who has difficulty filling in the form by themselves how bad are they getting those people.

 

I will be going with her so I shall fill in on blank paper what are needed.

 

Also we have not heard from Ingeus since 3rd of August 2013 they seems to have completely forgot about her, suits us fine because she has got worst since that last appointment with Ingeus, I shall use that when filling her esa50 form.

 

Just thought I come and have a little rant, hope you lot won't mind.

 

Take care all.

 

helen

 

Hi Helen feel free to rant, I have no experience with the new form but if I was in that situation I would put on a separate piece of paper why you filling out the form and why Cathy is unable to fill the form out herself.

Make sure you put her name abd national insurance number on each sheet of paper.

[mr_mastiff]

Hello there.

 

Are you able to scan up the form please? People may not have seen one, I haven't.

 

My best, HB

 

This is the one for July 2013

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa-50-limited-capability-for-work-questionnaire

[Helen2264]

Thank you Honeybee, I shall scan the form later and post it on here, I might need guidance how to upload the form on here because when I scan papers they are in jpg format! I need now to go to Cathy's mum care home got a meeting with her mother's social worker just got phone call whilst filling up Cathy's esa form, I am filling the form up on a blank esa50 form on acrobat pdf and shall go through them thoroughly before I fill in the actual hard copy of esa50 to send to the dwp, the form should reach them by 1st November but I shall ring and ask for more time, tried this morning as usual once it passes 10.00am no one answer the phone shall try tomorrow morning at 9.00am!

 

have a good day all.

 

 

 

Hello there.

 

Are you able to scan up the form please? People may not have seen one, I haven't.

 

My best, HB

[Helen2264]

Aww! Thanks Mr-mastiff, one good thing about this forum everyone is helpful and understanding. Yes I will definitely fill on separate blank paper and explained why I am filling the form for her, I've already gone through that with Ingeus not that long ago, they've kept away that long she's had no appointment with them since July 2013 because the 3rd of August one I had to cancel Cathy's mental health took a turn for the worst which Ingeus is aware of hopefully that with evidence I have from her first appointment should put her in the support group which should have been in when she attended her last medical.

 

Take care.

 

helen

 

 

Hi Helen feel free to rant, I have no experience with the new form but if I was in that situation I would put on a separate piece of paper why you filling out the form and why Cathy is unable to fill the form out herself.

Make sure you put her name abd national insurance number on each sheet of paper.

[Helen2264]

Yep, that is the esa50 form Cathy got threw me right off!

 

This is the one for July 2013

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa-50-limited-capability-for-work-questionnaire

[honeybee13]

Thank you for that, Mr Mastiff. It looks as if you won't need to scan it then, Helen. As you may know, jpgs don't work well here, pdf files are better.

 

HB

[**Margaret**]

:Hiya honeybee 13:

 

I've been thinking about this for some time, and getting around to asking you whether or not we should do something about the mis match in the sticky guide to completion of an ESA50.

 

:leemack:'s guide was written for the ESA50 03/11 questionnaire, and it's still really useful. Apart from the questions about cancer, the ESA50 01/13 version isn't significantly different. But the two versions look different to the extent that anyone not familiar with them may decide that the guide isn't for the ESA50 that's just dropped through their letter box.

 

Change the attachment in #1 of the sticky and add an explanation that the guide's still relevant:?:

 

Margaret.

[honeybee13]

Hi Margaret.

 

Yes, we can certainly look at that, we don't want out of date stuff or dodgy links. I don't quite follow what you're saying about ESA50s, sorry to be thick. Would you mind PMing me about it please?

 

HB

[**Margaret**]

:Helen2264:

 

'Filling in this questionnaire for someone else' is now on page 18. But Atos won't accept it as third party authority for you to talk to them on your friend's behalf unless you've been approved as an appointee by Work n Pensions. If your friend wants you to deal with Atos for her, she'll need to send a covering letter giving her permission for you to talk to them, with the ESA50. And maybe another letter (recorded delivery) after that. Cos they hate third party authority Atos are very good at 'losing' letters.

 

If you're a lark, Jobcentreplus contact centres open from 8.00 am each weekday.

 

Is there a reason, apart from the usual it's a pig of a form to fill in, that your friend's questionnaire won't be returned by the due date? Jobcentreplus are very unlikely to allow extra time, and even if they do so verbally you shouldn't assume you've extra time unless they confirm it in writing. If you need it, there's a space on page 17 to explain why a form's late.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[Helen2264]

Hi Margaret,

 

Thank you ever so much for that advice, I've just found that out this morning when I rang asking for more time to fill in the esa form, took me two days for the jobcentre plus at our local to answer, even then I only managed to get through because I used a number that was 2012 and not the recent ones! The lady on the phone said Cathy and I have to make an appointment with the jobcentre to say I will be appointee they are making it as difficult as they can and I have been told she will not get more times and that I have to put it on the esa for giving the reason why and that will be approval by the decision maker, last medical she had I filled in the form send it all myself of course enclosed a letter to tell them why there wasn't any problem but this time it's more difficult!

 

Has anyone managed to get more time to fill in their ESA50 form?? I am going to have to work frantically to get that form done and send it to them by wednesday the latest as the deadline for the esa form to reach them in 1st November 2013!

 

 

Nasty people and it make me upset when people watch those benefits program on tv thinking all of us wants to take money from the system because we are lazy, if only they know what's really happening!

 

 

 

 

 

:Helen2264:

 

'Filling in this questionnaire for someone else' is now on page 18. But Atos won't accept it as third party authority for you to talk to them on your friend's behalf unless you've been approved as an appointee by Work n Pensions. If your friend wants you to deal with Atos for her, she'll need to send a covering letter giving her permission for you to talk to them, with the ESA50. And maybe another letter (recorded delivery) after that. Cos they hate third party authority Atos are very good at 'losing' letters.

 

If you're a lark, Jobcentreplus contact centres open from 8.00 am each weekday.

 

Is there a reason, apart from the usual it's a pig of a form to fill in, that your friend's questionnaire won't be returned by the due date? Jobcentreplus are very unlikely to allow extra time, and even if they do so verbally you shouldn't assume you've extra time unless they confirm it in writing. If you need it, there's a space on page 17 to explain why a form's late.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[Helen2264]

Hello Everyone,

 

It's about my friend Cathy as some of you are probably aware I have been helping her with all her benefit claims today I checked her bank account because her ESA was due but there was no benefit payment in her bank account. She is in receipt of ESA WRAG. I rang the DWP on her behalf and was told her ESA Contribution-based has been stopped since the 31st December 2013 and that she need to fill in the form ESA3.

 

There has been no letter from the DWP to warn her in advance that her benefit will stop and that she will need to fill in ESA3. She was due an ATOS Medical which I duly filled in her ESA50 since October 31st 2013 and sent that off by first class recorded delivery to this day we've heard nothing from ATOS or the DWP also she was suppose to have an appointment with Ingeus on the 15th July 2013 which was cancelled because her Adviser said she was leaving the Company and that the new adviser would make a new appointment, we've heard nothing since July 2013 until yesterday she received a letter from Ingeus a new Adviser saying she needs to come to her appointment for seeking work.

 

The fact that I have on film recording the first Ingeus Adviser saying it will be a very, very long time before she will be able to participate into any work program because of her mental, I shall put that across to this new adviser also making sure she get a private room for her appointment, although she had a private room last appointment it was still a big problem for her which the adviser saw her behaviour first hand that is why that adviser did not bother to call her for another appointment. Now that is another problem I need to sort out.

 

But for the moment please if anyone can help or advice with regards to the ESA3 and also about Short Term Loan benefit which I cannot even see anything about it on the Govt.uk website, ummm! I wonder why I guess they do not want people to even claim that but she needs to because she now has nothing to live on until the ESA3 form are filled and send off. Can someone also please tell us how long before she'll receive any money when DWP receive the ESA3 and will she get back payment for money she was supposed to have received today.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

 

 

helen

[**Margaret**]

:Helen2264:

 

Don't know for sure whether Jobcentreplus have ceased to notify the end of a time limited award of contribution flavoured employment n support with the work related activity component. There's suggestions they have cos of the number of claimants in your friend's situation.

 

Yes, Jobcentreplus should backdate an income related award to the date your friend's circumstances changed, if she tells them within one month. Usually takes Jobcentreplus ten to fifteen working days to process an ESA3. If you've the technology there's a downloadable and printable copy of the form at #7 of;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?387812-ESA-365-Limit

 

Last year Government took a deliberate decision not to publicise short term benefit advances. Such information as there is can be found at;

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/staba-info-sheet.pdf

 

Phone call to the number on your friend's last award letter, or 08000 556688

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[45002]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?409881-Benefits-help-needed

 

Hello Everyone,

 

It's about my friend Cathy as some of you are probably aware I have been helping her with all her benefit claims today I checked her bank account because her ESA was due but there was no benefit payment in her bank account. She is in receipt of ESA WRAG. I rang the DWP on her behalf and was told her ESA Contribution-based has been stopped since the 31st December 2013 and that she need to fill in the form ESA3.

 

There has been no letter from the DWP to warn her in advance that her benefit will stop and that she will need to fill in ESA3. She was due an ATOS Medical which I duly filled in her ESA50 since October 31st 2013 and sent that off by first class recorded delivery to this day we've heard nothing from ATOS or the DWP also she was suppose to have an appointment with Ingeus on the 15th July 2013 which was cancelled because her Adviser said she was leaving the Company and that the new adviser would make a new appointment, we've heard nothing since July 2013 until yesterday she received a letter from Ingeus a new Adviser saying she needs to come to her appointment for seeking work.

 

The fact that I have on film recording the first Ingeus Adviser saying it will be a very, very long time before she will be able to participate into any work program because of her mental, I shall put that across to this new adviser also making sure she get a private room for her appointment, although she had a private room last appointment it was still a big problem for her which the adviser saw her behaviour first hand that is why that adviser did not bother to call her for another appointment. Now that is another problem I need to sort out.

 

But for the moment please if anyone can help or advice with regards to the ESA3 and also about Short Term Loan benefit which I cannot even see anything about it on the Govt.uk website, ummm! I wonder why I guess they do not want people to even claim that but she needs to because she now has nothing to live on until the ESA3 form are filled and send off. Can someone also please tell us how long before she'll receive any money when DWP receive the ESA3 and will she get back payment for money she was supposed to have received today.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

 

 

helen

 

For Reference http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?406022-New-ESA-Form

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?398501-esa-renewal-WRAG

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?398321-ESA-new-info-misunderstanding-help-appreciated-worried!&p=4300999&viewfull=1#post4300999

Edited January 10, 2014 by 45002

[Helen2264]

:Helen2264:

 

Don't know for sure whether Jobcentreplus have ceased to notify the end of a time limited award of contribution flavoured employment n support with the work related activity component. There's suggestions they have cos of the number of claimants in your friend's situation.

 

Yes, Jobcentreplus should backdate an income related award to the date your friend's circumstances changed, if she tells them within one month. Usually takes Jobcentreplus ten to fifteen working days to process an ESA3. If you've the technology there's a downloadable and printable copy of the form at #7 of;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?387812-ESA-365-Limit

 

Last year Government took a deliberate decision not to publicise short term benefit advances. Such information as there is can be found at;

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/staba-info-sheet.pdf

 

Phone call to the number on your friend's last award letter, or 08000 556688

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

 

 

Thank you so much Margaret and 45002 for your replies appreciate it, I've downloaded the ESA3 form and will fill it in and send it Monday 13th the latest, the lady on the phone told me it will take 5 days before we receive the form thanks goodness for the internet I can just download and send it sooner. It looks to be the case DWP has stopped telling people in advance when to claim on form ESA3 because I came across a thread someone mentioned about being told 6 weeks in advance.

 

Yes I've heard about the govt deliberately ensuring claimants and even their own staff doesn't know about the Short Term Loan Benefit, Cameron got the cheek to say the vulnerable and needy are cared for. I've also just seen on a thread the Council now have Crisis Loan instead of the DWP, lol the problem is Cathy is actually homeless staying with me my Local Authority is aware and she has heard nothing about being re-housed, my local council did say they were going to send her back to islington borough council and she received a letter in december from islington saying they will no longer assist her.

 

The only thing she has now is an ongoing Housing Case 'long story' which was checked by a barrister if she has a case against islington council and was told by the barrister she has and can win a potential of a six figures lump sum of money thank goodness that case can be open at anytime because there are no time limit on it, but as yet I cannot do anything because Cathy has been so ill with her mental illness, hopefully this year I can get the ball rolling for her but for now she has not even two pennies to rub together so I am helping her.

 

Thank you both again and hoping life can only get a little better one of these days.

 

Helen