Lost Questionaire.

I have had my Incapacity Benefit stopped because my questionaire had not been received. I phoned my local office and explained that it had been posted in good time, before the cut-off date. Finally after two days of phoning and not being called back, the office agreed to let me fax a copy of the questionaire, thankfully my wife used the PDF version of the questionaire, via my local Jobcentre. I presumed, foolishly, that my benefits would still be paid. I have now received a letter confirming that my benefit has been stopped. I am stunned.
Has this happened to anyone else?

Macflame wrote:

I have had my Incapacity Benefit stopped because my questionaire had not been received. I phoned my local office and explained that it had been posted in good time, before the cut-off date. Finally after two days of phoning and not being called back, the office agreed to let me fax a copy of the questionaire, thankfully my wife used the PDF version of the questionaire, via my local Jobcentre. I presumed, foolishly, that my benefits would still be paid. I have now received a letter confirming that my benefit has been stopped. I am stunned.
Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi M,

Do you have any proof of posting the original ESA50?.

The latest letter that you speak of may just be a crossover.

I would always advise that any queries or problems are dealt with in writing, as it can be difficult to prove the subject matter of a phone call.

Did you take note of the date, time and who you spoke to, as some phone conversations are recorded.

Do you have any proof of your faxing of the second ESA50 from JCP?.

If you are going to make any further phonecalls regarding this issue, I would advise that you back them up with a letter, posted by recorded delivery, and keeping copy.

bro58

Many thanks for your quick and helpful reply.
I did not have proof of sending the questionaire.
You are right about telephone conversations. There was no record of my first phonecall. Despite being promised a call back within a specified time on four occasions, I never received a call back.
My query was finally dealt with by a 'team leader' who arranged for my wife to go to the local Jobcentre and have the questionaire faxed. So there should be a record of the appointment if nothing else.
I am currently trying to get through to the Jobcentre who was dealing with my questionaire.
This is very frustrating and very unfair.
I shall certainly write a letter to the DWP and send it 'signed for'.

Hi M,

Best of luck with your problem.

This is why we advise that members should always gain a proof of posting delivery slip from the P.O., or use recorded delivery, when returning an ESA50.

So that you can proove that you have taken all reasonable steps to return the ESA50 in good time.


cheers

bro58