Hi,
I am looking for a bit of advice as to what is going on with my claim and what to do about it - it looks to me like I have been unlawfully sanctioned for exercising my right to a fair hearing.
About 18 months ago I was hospitalised with psychosis and clinical depression. I was awarded ESA (support group) and stayed on it until I was assessed by ATOS. ATOS gave me 15 points and said I was capable of WRA. The DWP then moved me onto ESA (WRAG) about 2 months ago. I appealed. The DWP reconsidered its position but left me on ESA (WRAG), then sent my file to the Tribunal for an appeal hearing. Since then I have received no ESA payments - they stopped without warning or explanation! I now have no income except for HB and a council tax exemption!
Yesterday I called JC+ to find out why my ESA payments had stopped and was told to wait for a call back by 16:30 that afternoon. No such call materialised! At about 17:00 I called JC+ again and lodged a formal complaint about not being called back - I got an apology and told to expect a call about my ESA payments by 10:00 tomorrow morning. I was not told why my ESA payments had stopped but was told that my record indicated a "change of circumstances regarding another benefit". I do not claim any benefit for which DWP is responsible except ESA and have not reported any change in circumstances.
I have sent in sick lines every 3 months since the start of my ESA claim and my sick lines are up to date.
Does anyone know why my ESA payments have stopped and what I should do? (It will be 4-8 weeks until the Tribunal and I cannot afford to live that long unless my ESA payments are reinstated.)
Thanks.
Kingpin1
I am looking for a bit of advice as to what is going on with my claim and what to do about it - it looks to me like I have been unlawfully sanctioned for exercising my right to a fair hearing.
About 18 months ago I was hospitalised with psychosis and clinical depression. I was awarded ESA (support group) and stayed on it until I was assessed by ATOS. ATOS gave me 15 points and said I was capable of WRA. The DWP then moved me onto ESA (WRAG) about 2 months ago. I appealed. The DWP reconsidered its position but left me on ESA (WRAG), then sent my file to the Tribunal for an appeal hearing. Since then I have received no ESA payments - they stopped without warning or explanation! I now have no income except for HB and a council tax exemption!
Yesterday I called JC+ to find out why my ESA payments had stopped and was told to wait for a call back by 16:30 that afternoon. No such call materialised! At about 17:00 I called JC+ again and lodged a formal complaint about not being called back - I got an apology and told to expect a call about my ESA payments by 10:00 tomorrow morning. I was not told why my ESA payments had stopped but was told that my record indicated a "change of circumstances regarding another benefit". I do not claim any benefit for which DWP is responsible except ESA and have not reported any change in circumstances.
I have sent in sick lines every 3 months since the start of my ESA claim and my sick lines are up to date.
Does anyone know why my ESA payments have stopped and what I should do? (It will be 4-8 weeks until the Tribunal and I cannot afford to live that long unless my ESA payments are reinstated.)
Thanks.
Kingpin1