DWP fail!

Two months ago, on 7th November, I won my ESA Appeal and was placed, somewhat to my surprise, in the Support Group.

Just after Christmas, I got a letter from the DWP asking me to renew my GP's medical certificate, which was due to run out on the 28th December. It turned out that the DWP couldn't locate the Tribunal's Decision Notice and I was asked to fax it to my local office, which I did on 28th December.

Today, I got another request for the medical certificate. When I phoned the DWP my questions about the appeal paperwork were ignored and I was told that I would have to provide the certificate. Somebody is going to call from the DWP to explain why.

The local CAB legal advisor who supported my appeal has advised me to comply with the DWP's request, even though it's a pain in the rear (and other places - I have ME), and she has made some phone calls to get this matter sorted out, which may mean waiting another couple of weeks for the money they owe me.

Now that I've calmed down now from the angry state I was in this morning (which doesn't do my ME any good), I've realsied that there is just one little speck of silver in this particular cloud: as long as the appeal hasn't been processed, I won't be invited to an ATOS assessment. Small consolation, but times are hard.

I have accepted this advice - despite the inconvenience it will cause - but I'm still furious about being mucked about like this, especially as nothing was said about providing a certificate when I phoned after the previous request 2 weeks ago.

Well, there's a turn up for the books! The CAB legal advisor made a couple of phone calls, and I've just been rung by the local DWP who've told me that:

1. they've received another copy of the Decision Notice from the CAB
2. they're processing it right now
3. I should hear back from them tomorrow
4. I don't need to visit my GP after all.

So, panic over (I hope) . Now I need to go and lie down for a while...

IsaacDavid wrote: Well, there's a turn up for the books! The CAB legal advisor made a couple of phone calls, and I've just been rung by the local DWP who've told me that:

1. they've received another copy of the Decision Notice from the CAB
2. they're processing it right now
3. I should hear back from them tomorrow
4. I don't need to visit my GP after all.

So, panic over (I hope) . Now I need to go and lie down for a while...

Hi ID,

It's good to hear that CAB seem to have sorted the problem out for you.

bro58