Customer Review?

The first person I spoke to at a call centre said he would contact my local JC and notify them that I couldnt attend due to my medical conditions and that I was in the Support Group and he said they would contact me if there was any problems with that. Then as I state in my above post a lady from my local JC said that I need to have a home visit if I do not attend the appointment at the JC office

Mathew wrote: The first person I spoke to at a call centre said he would contact my local JC and notify them that I couldnt attend due to my medical conditions and that I was in the Support Group and he said they would contact me if there was any problems with that. Then as I state in my above post a lady from my local JC said that I need to have a home visit if I do not attend the appointment at the JC office

Hi M,

It is a difficult one !!

You could recontact them and push for confirmation that the interview is actually "Mandatory".

You could also ask for clarification that it is purely to check that your financial and personal circumstances have not changed, rather than it being related to "Work" or your future work prospects.

If it is purely to check your financial/personal details, now that they have agreed to carry the interview out in your home, you cannot really refuse.

You could query why, if this is the case, that they cannot simply send an ESA 3 Form out, or carry the interview out over the phone.

If you are really upset and distressed over this, you could contact your local M.P. registering your concerns :

Contacting your MP

The one thing that we can't do is advise you not to comply with the interview.

This would not be at all fair to you, as if the interview does turn out to be mandatory, you would be left to deal with the adverse fallout for non compliance.

If you are to ring the Call Centre again, I would do so as early as possible and request an escalation call-back from a Supervisor/Manager.

You could insist on clarification, and mention that you are considering contacting your M.P.

Please do keep us all updated.

bro58

Contacted the office this morning as I was worried that I had been accused of fraud or something. The advisor I spoke to simply said it was to check my details etc and see if I am getting the right amount of money so I just got to wait for the home visit letter now

Hi Mathew,

Ugh! Don't you feel like they are a cat torturing a mouse (not suggesting you're a mouse...but I think the analogy fits!) It is awful to be told it's voluntary only for that to be followed up shortly after with another call saying it's not. Do you get the feeling the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing?
I wouldn't worry about fraud as you say you can't get out. As a lot of people have been getting these, according to the mods, (esp those in the Midlands if that's where you are) it may the benefit compliance check.
I understand your concerns though. Because my condition fluctuates I am reluctant to do more on the days that I can - even though I will pay up symptom-wise for it - for fear of some nasty neighbour or person putting their own interpretation on it. The fact you can't always 'see' illness, or that when you're out your worst others tend not to see you! My friend comes and gets me in their car for a break at their house and I see the curtain twitchers sometimes! But, honestly, don't worry..not if you can't get out at all! I was speaking to bro58 about how paranoid this government's practices are making me...I'm guessing a lot of people feel the same.

Keep us updated (Oh, and if bro58 sees this, could I ask whether, if a person receives an ESA3, they have to enclose bank statements as I normally destroy them...and when I have had to send such things in the past (ie to the student loan company for deferment purposes, I have cut out my sort code and account number because I am reluctant to send such stuff in the post...) With the DWP's track record in losing/ failing to destroy data, I would be even more reluctant but I'm sure they'd want documents 'intact'! Apologies about paranoia again but jus trying to be prepared in case!)

As I said, Mathew, hope all goes okay and let us know how you get on.

Shell wrote: Hi Mathew,

Ugh! Don't you feel like they are a cat torturing a mouse (not suggesting you're a mouse...but I think the analogy fits!) It is awful to be told it's voluntary only for that to be followed up shortly after with another call saying it's not. Do you get the feeling the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing?
I wouldn't worry about fraud as you say you can't get out. As a lot of people have been getting these, according to the mods, (esp those in the Midlands if that's where you are) it may the benefit compliance check.
I understand your concerns though. Because my condition fluctuates I am reluctant to do more on the days that I can - even though I will pay up symptom-wise for it - for fear of some nasty neighbour or person putting their own interpretation on it. The fact you can't always 'see' illness, or that when you're out your worst others tend not to see you! My friend comes and gets me in their car for a break at their house and I see the curtain twitchers sometimes! But, honestly, don't worry..not if you can't get out at all! I was speaking to bro58 about how paranoid this government's practices are making me...I'm guessing a lot of people feel the same.

Keep us updated (Oh, and if bro58 sees this, could I ask whether, if a person receives an ESA3, they have to enclose bank statements as I normally destroy them...and when I have had to send such things in the past (ie to the student loan company for deferment purposes, I have cut out my sort code and account number because I am reluctant to send such stuff in the post...) With the DWP's track record in losing/ failing to destroy data, I would be even more reluctant but I'm sure they'd want documents 'intact'! Apologies about paranoia again but jus trying to be prepared in case!)

As I said, Mathew, hope all goes okay and let us know how you get on.

Hi S,

Try not to worry too much !!!

I know this is easier said than done, but as Gordon has advised : Here. If you are already in receipt of IR ESA it is unlikely that you will receive an ESA 3 Form.

I have not looked at an ESA 3 for some time, after scanning through the "Sample ESA 3" that I have previously posted a link for, it appears that they only ask for Bank Statements to confirm any payments that you have informed them of, being paid into your account.

If there is to be an interview, they generally ask to see your previous 3 months bank statements, but they generally give you notice of what documentation they will want to see in the interview appointment letter.

If you ever need previous Bank Statements the Bank has to keep them for 6 years, so you can obtain copies.

Some accounts with online access also provide the facility to download and print off previous Bank Statements.

Cheers

bro58

Thanks bro58. I'm not sure how I managed before I found this site!

It's very kind of you to reply in such depth and try to allay my fears/ quell my anxiety and put things into perspective a bit - I need that!

Many thanks again, and hope all goes okay for you Mathew.