On 22nd April 2013, my entitlement to ESA was stopped following my annual ATOS assessment. As before I wrote a letter of appeal (plus a more detailed follow-up letter).
On Tuesday 14th May 2013, I telephoned Job Centre Plus (DWP) asking if my letter of appeal had been received. I was informed that it had, and that my ESA would be reinstated, albeit at the lower rate, while my appeal was being processed.
On Wednesday, 15th May I received a telephone call from a women who said that my appeal had been upheld. She did not indicate which department she was with or from which city she was phoning from. The call came up as a Private Number. I asked her when my next medical assessment was, and she said in eighteen months time. I was taken aback by this, and she explained that ATOS assessments can be from six months to two years.
Intrigued by the quickness of this decision, the following day (Thursday, 16th May), I telephoned the DWP, who said they had no record of my appeal being upheld, nor was there any record of anyone phoning me. I asked that the matter be referred back to the ESA department responsible, and for a call-back.
On Friday, 17th May I received said call-back from DWP, who reiterated what was said the day before: they had no record of my appeal being upheld, nor was there any record of anyone phoning or indeed writing to me. While talking to the DWP my postman delivered a letter. It was from DWP, and dated 15th May 2013. It stated that my ESA appeal will not be sent to an independent tribunal as the decision has been changed in your favour.
I have since spoken to the DWP three more times. The department that deals with telephone enquires have said that they themselves are awaiting news from the department responsible for ESA appeals decisions. I mentioned the letter, and it was suggested that I send a copy to DWP.
My mental wellbeing has taken a battering these past few days, which only adds to my deteriorating condition. I ask if anyone else has been told one thing, only to be told days later that they originally made a mistake. I feel like the rug has been pulled from under my feet, and the life sucked out of me. Im at breaking point. What do I do?
Best Wishes
Debt Tired
On Tuesday 14th May 2013, I telephoned Job Centre Plus (DWP) asking if my letter of appeal had been received. I was informed that it had, and that my ESA would be reinstated, albeit at the lower rate, while my appeal was being processed.
On Wednesday, 15th May I received a telephone call from a women who said that my appeal had been upheld. She did not indicate which department she was with or from which city she was phoning from. The call came up as a Private Number. I asked her when my next medical assessment was, and she said in eighteen months time. I was taken aback by this, and she explained that ATOS assessments can be from six months to two years.
Intrigued by the quickness of this decision, the following day (Thursday, 16th May), I telephoned the DWP, who said they had no record of my appeal being upheld, nor was there any record of anyone phoning me. I asked that the matter be referred back to the ESA department responsible, and for a call-back.
On Friday, 17th May I received said call-back from DWP, who reiterated what was said the day before: they had no record of my appeal being upheld, nor was there any record of anyone phoning or indeed writing to me. While talking to the DWP my postman delivered a letter. It was from DWP, and dated 15th May 2013. It stated that my ESA appeal will not be sent to an independent tribunal as the decision has been changed in your favour.
I have since spoken to the DWP three more times. The department that deals with telephone enquires have said that they themselves are awaiting news from the department responsible for ESA appeals decisions. I mentioned the letter, and it was suggested that I send a copy to DWP.
My mental wellbeing has taken a battering these past few days, which only adds to my deteriorating condition. I ask if anyone else has been told one thing, only to be told days later that they originally made a mistake. I feel like the rug has been pulled from under my feet, and the life sucked out of me. Im at breaking point. What do I do?
Best Wishes
Debt Tired
