recorded delivery

Can i just let you know, I contacted my benefit office today because i sent my esa50 form back on 25th June just normal delivery in their prepaid envelope, and i have still not had a letter to confirm atos have received my form. My form had to be in by 2nd aug. The lady in the dwp benefit office advised me that if they had not received it they send a reminder letter after a certain time to request to return the form. So i am just taking her word for it. she did give me a freephone no 0800 2888777. to ring and check with them.I tried ringing the number today and i was on hold for 30 mins, so i hung up.

nesey1 wrote:

Can i just let you know, I contacted my benefit office today because i sent my esa50 form back on 25th June just normal delivery in their prepaid envelope, and i have still not had a letter to confirm atos have received my form. My form had to be in by 2nd aug. The lady in the dwp benefit office advised me that if they had not received it they send a reminder letter after a certain time to request to return the form. So i am just taking her word for it. she did give me a freephone no 0800 2888777. to ring and check with them.I tried ringing the number today and i was on hold for 30 mins, so i hung up.

Hi Nesey1,

I think that phone number is ATOS, the MP Tom Grateux, tried to ring them, don't know if it was the same number, on behalf of one of his constituants, and it took about 135 calls before he made contact.

He gave this evidence to the Works and Pensions Select Commitee.

They have supposedly increased the capacity of their call handling.

Have you thought about e-mailing them on the link to their site on my post before yours.

good luck

bro58

Post does not go direct to the relevant office dealing with claims but to a sorting (clearing ) office for forwarding.This can cause 5 to 7 days delay in them receiving post.However when received they should be date stamped.
It would be worth a phone call, yet again in the morning to see if received.
I always advise claimants to post back at least 10 days before deadline to insure correspondence is received.

You know I don't really blame anyone for phoning ATOS or DWP, because they are worried or anxious, as to how they stand in the ESA WCA process.

However, I will never make or receive phone calls regarding this matter, there is far to much misinformation being given to claimants, as well as many "untruths".

I know they say they record conversations, but copy of these can be difficult to obtain.

At least if it is in black and white, maybe backed up by an e-mail, and then even a phone call as well, you have definate proof that you have contacted them, and of the subject matter.

I have practiced the above for many years, and any problems were rectified quickly.

As I have said before I feel all this phone contact is for their convenience not ours.

All above is obviously my own opinion.

cheers

bro58

I agree entirely with your sentiments. Indeed, when I worked for the DSS we never dealt with claimants by telephone and were instructed not to do so, for the very reasons stated in your post.

Unfortunately, any correspondence with the DWP and/or Atos must be communicated by recorded delivery, as it appears that the alleged non-receipt of correspondence has become an unwelcome practice within these organisations!