My Jobcentre meeting today and ESA outcome

Folara

Very surprisingly I got a call this morning from the Jobcentre telling me not to worry about going in fr my interview but that she would telephone me later for it.

The upshot is that they have no record of my letter 4 months ago giving all the new and detailed diagnosis of my worsening condition and the ATOS medical farce I had to attend on the 18th Feb was because they decided I now needed it for an update for their records. I was then told that I have been put in the WRAG again but with a recommendation that I will be unable to work for at least 18 months. I have never received a letter telling me any of this information and so was told I need to phone the DWP to ask for a copy and tell them I am appealing the decision. This I did. The woman at the DWP said she would ask for a copy of the letter to be sent to me and I should expect it in the next few weeks! I also asked for a copy f my ATOS medical and a list of their reasons why I was put back into WRAG.

My understanding is that I should have 4 weeks from the date of the letter I didn't receive in which to appeal. That's really helpful then as I don't have the letter and a copy of it will take a few weeks to get to me. Ludicrous!

So it looks like I am going to have a fight on my hands (sigh). I have found that I actually qualify for the Support Group as I fit 3 of their descriptors fr this.

I am now writing a letter to the DWP which I will send via recorded delivery stating my wish to appeal etc. I am also writing to my GP to request a letter from him in support of my claim, I am seeing him Friday but thought it would be better to give him a heads up first. I will send it next day delivery so he has enough time to read it.

I am so fed up of this whole farcical situation. I shouldn't have to jump through all their hoops etc when it is obvious I am too Ill at present to work. However, I will not go down without a fight.

Thanks for reading, it was a bit of steam letting off as well.

Fols x

traluvie

What an absolute farce..
What an ordeal and beep beep beep
A subject i am not going to let rip on here about.

If they dare say they wont let you appeal because the time limit has gone and its not there fault you never got the letter, i shall kindly campaign on your behalf and give them what for..I would ring them up to clarify this to make sure where you stand..

Are you talking to citizensAB about this, could maybe do with some extra help to support you, or a similar organisation??

Hope things work out for you, sending positive vibes and keep us posted on how things are going..

Folara

Thanks Tracy,

Next port of call for tomorrow is the CAB. Was just too exhausted and headachy after all the other stuff today.

I did tell the (rather clueless) girl at the DWP that I am appealing the decision and that the letter was vital to this but apparently the poor souls have a massive admin backlog. I might call them again tomorrow anyway as you suggested.

I have a feeling that if I am outside the appeal date I can do a reclaim in a month or so time but I'm not 100% on that. Hopefully CAB will be able to shed some light for me.

Will certainly keep you posted and I'm polishing my iron knickers ready for the battle to commence, as we type.

Fols x

traluvie

Shall be polishing mine too lol.

Its understandable that today has been a mad one, tomorrow is a new day, new beginning..

I am still waiting for my appeal date, it was a yr feb,, it is such a joke..

stickywicket

That must have been a very frustrating, tiring day, Fols. Gird your loins now for the next battle and off you go to the Spoon Drawer - I think you need a few extra tonight.

Folara

It's so ridiculous that people with genuine problems are treated like fraudsters and cheats.

Tracy, a whole year for an appeal date is just crazy. Are they really so awful at their own administration? I'm thinking a resounding yes to that question.

Thanks sticky. I am actually going to go to bed now so please pop those spoons back for now. I have a feeling I will be needing them in the future.

Thanks for the support peeps, very appreciated.

NN now

Fol x

dreamdaisy

Oh hell. What a farce indeed. I am so, so sorry Folara, this is appalling. Keep a record of all phone calls - make sure you get the name of the people you speak to and what their roles are - keep a copy of all letters that you both send and receive, and oddly enough I have no trouble in accepting that they are so far behind. As George Bernard Shaw so nearly said: those who can do, those who can't go into government admin. (()) and I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight. DD

tjt6768

I too am in the process of appealing the WRAG placement. DIAL are helping me through ther process.
I'm supposed to be attending an interview very soon but I'm in such a state right now, another flare is rearing and I'm just one day into cutting the sulfa for two weeks whilst also decreasing my fentanyl.. I've been in touch and told them that I will be unable to attend, they've rescheduled it.. Hopefully by then DIAL will have let them know we are appealing..
It is really stressing me out, something else that's not helping the flare up :roll:

The very best of luck hun..

Folara

Thanks so much everyone. I couldn't hang around much last night as I was totally drained and was just about to get a full blown migraine so I retired to bed before some of your replies.

Delboy - that's something I hadn't even thought about actually and it's a good idea. I thought I might also get my local MP involved too.

I have sent a letter to DWP by recorded delivery today, stating why I want the decision appealed and also highlighting the fact that they haven't sent me a decision letter and quite frankly how bad their administrative practices are.

I have also written to my doctor asking for a supportive letter. I am seeing him Friday but thought it best to warn him in advance.

tjt6768 - Hun do a letter outlining how hard it will be and how detrimental to your health it would be to go all the way to the interview. They can do it over the telephone. Please try not to get over stressed, your health is far more important. If these people could actually see how badly this affects those who are genuinely sick or in pain then I'm sure they would be more reasonable. Unfortunately we are all tarred with the cheats brush and guilty until proved innocent.

Fols x