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Reviewing of Benefit claim???

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7 years 9 months ago #165246 by Kaz60
Reviewing of Benefit claim??? was created by Kaz60
My son has just received a letter today stating he must attend a review of his benefit claim on 17th August... He has in fact applied for ESA 10 weeks ago and I wonder if this would be classed as his face to face?
The thing that confuses me is that it is in a JobCentre (Local Service Compliance) 60 miles from home... From reading other messages the face to face interview seem to be done by Maximus or Atos??
My son has dyspraxia and mild learning difficulties and it is impossible for him to undertake a journey like that on his own which means I need to take time off work to escort him - I would do anyway as I would not subject him to anything like that on his own... He is in receipt of PIP and I receive carers allowance for him.
Has anybody any ideas?

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7 years 9 months ago #165305 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reviewing of Benefit claim???

Kaz60 wrote: My son has just received a letter today stating he must attend a review of his benefit claim on 17th August... He has in fact applied for ESA 10 weeks ago and I wonder if this would be classed as his face to face?
The thing that confuses me is that it is in a JobCentre (Local Service Compliance) 60 miles from home... From reading other messages the face to face interview seem to be done by Maximus or Atos??
My son has dyspraxia and mild learning difficulties and it is impossible for him to undertake a journey like that on his own which means I need to take time off work to escort him - I would do anyway as I would not subject him to anything like that on his own... He is in receipt of PIP and I receive carers allowance for him.
Has anybody any ideas?


If depends on who the letter is from.

If it is from the DWP then it will be for a Work Focused Interview at the JC+. If this is the case then 60 miles would be an unusual travel distance unless you live a rural area, I would ring up and ask why it can't be done at a more local JC+ office.

If it from the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS), Centre for Health and Disability Assessment (CHDA or Maximus then it is in regard to an assessment, you do have the option of cancelling and requesting a more local venue, but you can only do this once and he will have to attend the new appointment wherever it is.

Gordon

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7 years 9 months ago #165311 by Kaz60
Replied by Kaz60 on topic Reviewing of Benefit claim???
Thank you Gordon for your reply... I did in fact telephone them and he is getting an interview closer to home, but it worries me as it is a review of his benefit claim? It states he needs to take his bank statements... He is actually working voluntary and wonder if this has anything to do with it? We also closed an ISA account he had in his name months before we claimed for ESA and bought him a car with the proceeds - could we be penalised for this as I did not declare this when asked about savings?

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7 years 9 months ago #165345 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reviewing of Benefit claim???

Kaz60 wrote: Thank you Gordon for your reply... I did in fact telephone them and he is getting an interview closer to home, but it worries me as it is a review of his benefit claim? It states he needs to take his bank statements... He is actually working voluntary and wonder if this has anything to do with it? We also closed an ISA account he had in his name months before we claimed for ESA and bought him a car with the proceeds - could we be penalised for this as I did not declare this when asked about savings?


OK this sounds more a like a compliance interview rather than directly linked to his ESA claim and I suspect that it has booked because of the activity you have mentioned.

All you can do is be honest and explain the decision that have been made.

Gordon

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7 years 9 months ago #165356 by Kaz60
Replied by Kaz60 on topic Reviewing of Benefit claim???
Thanks once again for your reply.
I feel physically sick at the thought of this as it is myself that deals with my son's affairs and do not like the thought of him being penalised because of my actions!!!
Do you think it would be beneficial for me to get a letter from where he volunteers at, stating he gets no payment at all - (they are a non profit making business) before we go to the interview.
Also would I be better just taking purchase receipt of car to prove what we spent the money on and when the account was closed - (months before we claimed ESA)
As we have never had any dealings with DWP previously, I do nor understand how would they manage to get these details anyway???
Sorry to ramble on!!

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7 years 9 months ago #165362 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reviewing of Benefit claim???

Kaz60 wrote: Thanks once again for your reply.
I feel physically sick at the thought of this as it is myself that deals with my son's affairs and do not like the thought of him being penalised because of my actions!!!
Do you think it would be beneficial for me to get a letter from where he volunteers at, stating he gets no payment at all - (they are a non profit making business) before we go to the interview.
Also would I be better just taking purchase receipt of car to prove what we spent the money on and when the account was closed - (months before we claimed ESA)
As we have never had any dealings with DWP previously, I do nor understand how would they manage to get these details anyway???
Sorry to ramble on!!


Yes it should be helpful, you need to be aware that it only counts as volunteering if the job itself is not one that would normally be paid, not receiving pay for a job that would normally be expected to be paid, does not count.

It will depend one the reason that he has been called in, but HMRC provide the DWP with information on financial transactions involving benefit claimants.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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