WCA missed appiontment for ESA

On the reconsideration notice the DWP has placed me in the ESA Work Related Group over the period which they have been sending my correspondence to the wrong address as I was in the support group do I draw attention to this in my submission and also the loss of my DLA

Boscozz wrote: Hi

Mandatory Decision result on me not attending the medical my benefit payment has stopped - DWP insists that I moved to an address which I have never lived at and they have been sending the correspondence to an address where I have never lived and have stated that it is my onus to contact them with a change of address, but how could I when they gave me a new address which I have never lived at and now that I informed them after I received a text why did I not attend a medical and suggest to the helpline that they may have the wrong address but now according to DWP I have moved back to the address that I lived at shortly in 2014 to state that the onus was myself to give up to date contact details! - I was placed in the support group and now it appears during the time the DWP was sending my correspondence to an address which I have never lived at the DWP placed me in the work related group! Is this legal? How do I prove that I have lived continuous since at the same address for the tribunal and have never lived at the address which the DWP has been sending my correspondence? Is this a new tactic by the DWP to hit there targets by altering personal details and then blaming the claimant.!

This happened to me in 2009. I.e the DWP stopped my Incapacity Benefit payments using the same excuses that I'd apparently moved address and had failed to notify/respond to DWP correspondence. To make matters worse I then found out someone had tried to take out a Crisis Loan using my NI number.

To rectify the situation I telephoned the DWP number on the last letter I'd recieved from the DWP. I was given the run around by the DWP/call centres etc until I finally got in contact with an actuall DWP manager.(try phoning your local JC+ and ask for the customer service manager)I made sure I got the name of the DWP CSM and then sent the CSM a follow up letter.

In my letter I simply listed several reasons as to why the DWP had wrongly stopped my benefit including reasons why I hadn't noticed that 9 months of benefit hadn't been received by myself.

I included some of the following:
I think I am blameless in this issue.
I have received letters from the DWP to my home address in (insert your address)previously,so had no reason to think you were unaware of my correct address.
I have never sent the DWP any correspondence informing them that I had moved to(insert address) if you know it.
I am now very,very concerned that someone in (insert address of place you've supposedly moved to)has been sent my personal information,including my National Insurance number. This is a breach of the Data Protection Act,and my privacy,and makes me vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

I would like an explanation from the DWP of how this has happened,complete with copies of the documents wrongfully informing you of a change of address and copies of all the correspondence the DWP have sent to the (insert address). I need to understand how far my bank account and personal information have been compromised.

Your letter will trigger an internal investigation,and hopefully you'll receive the following. A letter from your local jc+ CSM explaining if your benefit has been reinstated, includes the Dates and payment. Etc. And a statement that your query regarding change of address and a copy of your letter has been sent to the Customer Complaints Office (address of local JC+)in the area you have supposed to have been living.

One problem you might have though is the fact you say that the DWP have tried to contact you by telephone I assume it's a mobile.This will I.m.o cause you problems. The DWP only has to phone the customer two times,they don't even have to leave a message. Two phone calls and they can stop your claim!

Very interesting reply - I do not think apart from myself and some representatives that I have had help with filling in these complicated forms, had the knowledge of my National Insurance number - If I do change my address or any information verbally I always follow it up in writing also I always record phone calls concerning dealings with DWP - thanks to Work & Benefits site. It will be all revealed when I have a reply to my SAR request.
Many thanks.
Thanks to the DWP a party or parties living at the address they have been wrong sending my correspondence for 2 years - now know my personal details! including my National Insurance Number so much for Data Protection Act.!

Thank so so so much for your reply in depth - you know exactly how I am feeling! I shall most certainly follow your steps and complain - to the CMS . I will post on the forum when I have a reply I am sure there must be more claimants in the same situation but are unaware!! Thanks again.

Thank so much Poppysammy!