Dwp contact

Sorry to send another post so soon but I am beginning to panic. If the DWP needs to contact mg son it would have to be in writing. He will not have a mobile phone. Does not answer calls on his landline. He uses it, generally to call me. If I ring he does not answer but will usually ring me back, as he can recognize my number. Oh and he won't let us fix him up with a telephone answering machine. He is just not comfortable on the phone as he csnnot process information quickly and prefers to read it. Will they accept my telephone number if I explain the difficulty?

I don't have power of attorney. However when my son was going through a particularly bad period he did sign a letter authorising me to speak with his doctor, consultant, or any health care professional on his behalf. He also signed one agreeing for me, when necessary, to deal with his Housing Association. Do you think a copy of that to the DWP would be useful.?

Well that is the problem!! My son's condition is such that he has very little insight into his complex conditions. He does have capacity (officially) albeit fluctuating capacity. He likes to maintain, at least the illusion of, independence. That is why his stock answer is "I'm ok". He would not accept me being his appointee, although i deal with most of his affairs. He loses forms, will not answer phone calls, becomes very confused but is still deemed to have capacity!!
I can only hope that DWP will write to him if further information is needed. Otherwise it will be an even longer protracted process.

CAW

You can send a letter in for you to deal with your son's current claim, you have to send a signed by him, copy for each claim.

Historically I have done this for each and every contact with DWP on my OH's behalf. I have only recently officially been made his appointee.