please help no money for a over a month

hi everyone,
i am in the process of an appeal of ESA stopped, i made a new claim for ESA and sent in the medical certificate that the doc done,that was on the 27 OCT 10, i still have no money i have had to beg for handouts from my family which is now at straining point and caused a massive breakdown the doctor had to come out and see me.
I called the ESA this morning to see when they are going to give me some money and pay my rent as the council are sending me demand letters they said that the medical certificate has no end date so there for it is invalid. The doctor said that the ESA have got it wrong but she will do me a new one anyway and gave me phone numbers for the CAB and Gateway to help with my money problems and mental stress, what do i do i am at my wits end??

Hi kmr,

First of all, I have to confess that my knowledge of ESA is minimal, as I'm now retired, and prior to that was on Incapacity Benefit, plus I'm not a qualified benefits adviser.

However, I cannot understand why the DWP have said that your medical certificate is invalid. Unless there have been changes to the way in GP's issue medical certificates, GP's have always been allowed to state 'until further notice' if they're unsure how long their patient will remain ill for.

Hopefully, one of our other moderators, or a member will be able to give a more definitive answer than mine.

Good luck

Pat

Hi kmr

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.

Hopefully the CAB will help, but if you can't get a quick appointment, you could try contacting JCP to ask for a crisis loan, until you start receiving ESA payments.

Best wishes

Derek

Hi Pat

I'm not sure why the medical certificate would be invalid, but in some instances, JCP insist on a fresh sick note when starting an appeal, even if you are already covered by your previous sick note.

Doctors also have a habit of filling them in incorrectly. Mine forgot to tick the box to say that I am unfit for work, but fortunately it was accepted.

I don't think the new 'fit notes' have a box that says 'until further notice'.

Best wishes

Derek

Correction: they can state that they will not need to examine you at the end of the period covered.