ESA Appeal - assessment rate not been paid today

I am helping my mate who has epileptic fits up to three times a day, to do an appeal. He scored 0 and was invited top apply to JSA.

We've done everything by the book, in writing, registered post, sick note, doctors note etc. He phoned last week to make sure that they would continue to pay him at the assessment rate until the appeal is heard and they confirmed that everything he has done has been correctly and they wouold pay this lower rate.

Of course, here we are, the money has not been paid this morning as he was told. So now he has no food, no gas or electric - can anyone tell us what the next step is - obviously, when he can get through he will speak to someone, but is this normal?

Any advice would be appreciated thanks in advance.

No, this is not normal. Your friend should have been paid the assessment rate seamlessly as long as the appeal and sicknote were received in time.

Your friend really needs to speak to someone at DWP to find out what is happening. You would be allowed to speak on his behalf as long as he answers the security questions first.

If there is going to be a delay in payment for any reason, your friend might be able to apply for a hardship payment.