ESA benefit stopped what to do ??

[flump1]

Ok a long story cut short, I had an appointment to attend a medical to back up my claim for ESA , I have numerous health issues and my GP and consultant treat me to give me a quality of life. I am unable to work, and have been deteriorating for the past four years. I will not recover.
Now, I missed the appointment as I was admitted to hospital as an emergency the day prior to the appointment. My partner phoned them and explained and they sent me a second appointment which I noted. Closer to the day of the medical I checked the time I was due to attend as was mortified to realise I have noted the wrong date and was a week out. I phoned them i immediately and they explained I had to put it into writing to them, which I duly did.
Now today I get a letter saying I was no longer in receipt of benefit as I had missed two appointments.
On phoning them and trying to explain exactly why I had missed them I was told " The decision maker " whoever that may be, had decided the reasons I had given were not enough to keep my claim alive therefore instead of giving me a third appointment, they have simply stopped my money.
Now, I was released from hospital this morning, ( another emergency admittance ) and I am pretty crossed that I am not being believed by this agency.
I explained I was totally reliant on my benefit therefore I am penniless until they decide whether to pay me or not.
Where the devil can I go to complain about how this whole thing has been handled? Where the heck do I go for any financial support until such times as I am given benefit.? Any suggestions greatly appreciated, I am pulling my hair out !!

[friedgreentomato]

Flump I feel for you I really do, but you must understand that there will be thousands upon thousands using the same excuse as you, each government dept will have a complaints process to follow - you will need to complain before trying other avenues - you need to ask to speak to a manager state your complaint and ask for it to be relooked at.

Get proof from the hopital that you were admitted.

Hope this help

RH

[flump1]

Eddie, thanks for that, I have earmarked a visit to the CAB on Monday. I don't know how other people manage, my parents are pensioners and my friends hardly in a position to help without getting themselves short, times are hard for all at the moment, when they stop peoples benefit some of us have simply nothing.

[flump1]

Hi RH, thanks for your reply, they know all about my hospital admittance as when I filled out the form as to why I couldn't attend One has to give all relevant details, ie admitting doctor , dates and stuff. I was still ill when I got the second appointment, What is annoying me is that I rang them immediatly !!!. Thanks again.

[LoftyLottie]

This is dreadful Flump and I feel so sorry that genuine cases like yours have to take all this flack because of the amount of claims that are not genuine. Having worked for the Employment/Benefits service, I can only say that I had to leave the job because basically I am someone who really cares about people and their problems and the attitude of many of my colleagues was very upsetting. I know they have to follow rules, but they forget they are dealing with human beings.

I wish you all the best.

[LoftyLottie]

The Civil Service wasn't for me!!!

[mrs_overall]

Hi flump, sorry to hear of your troubles.
Do you have a local Disability Action Group (DAG)? Ours is superb and what they don't know about the system is not worth knowing. Their advice is free and they are easier to get hold of than CAB.

If you do have another medical rearranged, please do NOT attend on your own. I accompanied someone I know to one. He is permanantly brain injured after a car crash. The medical report from his assessment was a total work of fiction. He said he had no memory of the crash. The doctor doing the assessment wrote "Mr A has full recollection of his accident and talked about it in detail."
Remember, they receive £250 for every applicant they fail and they DO have a quota.
Good luck.

[flump1]

Lottie, thanks for your reply, I had to apologise to the poor person I ranted to yesterday but as I explained we have no outlet for our genuine frustration at the system. They are the first point of call and I know they do not make any decisions they talk about, they work for the agency and are the only point of contact.

[LoftyLottie]

That is dreadful Mrs O. And unfortunately it doesn't suprise me. People who genuinely need help and cannot work are getting turned down, and I personally know a couple of people that are swinging the lead and have been OK'd. Dreadful. The people making the decisions are not adaquately trained and the guidelines they work to are ridiculous in my opinion. I am glad I am retired. I could not work under any circumstances, yet I probably would be turned down for benefits.

[THECORBYLOON]

Mrs O do you have a link for the quota and £250 statement? Flump, since when have criminals had three chances? Would you be sympathetic if someone on the ESA section forgot to pay you two or three times over a short period?

[owdhamer]

I feel for you.

[flump1]

Mrs O , thanks very much for that, I will look into the DAG in my area. And I always take somebody with me to appointments, I am usually so doped up I need help .Thanks again.

[flump1]

Owdhamer. thanks, I know you are going through hell yourself right now x

[mrs_overall]

Corbyloon, I was told about the £250 and the quota by a friend. This was confirmed by another ABer on a similar thread AND I read an article in one of the daily papers about it.
If I find a link I'll post it