Requesting information under data protection act

Hi, I was wondering , when you write in and ask for all the information and forms that DWP desicion maker made to make your reward for ESA, is it 40 working days that they have to send them to you or are weeekends counted too.
Also if you do not recieve anything once the 40 days is up , what can you do next to get copies of the documents they used to make the desicion, as I am appealing to be put into support group from the WRAG that they have placed me in.
I used your sample letter to use when you want to ask for information under the data protection act, the DWP recieved this on 26/09/12.
It would be useful to me to see the documents they used to help me with my appeal.
Thank you very much for any advise you could give me.

One of our members started a thread because they did not receive the paperwork after submitting a 'subject access request'. You might find some of the thread helpful

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=view&catid=10&id=91403

I think it is 40 working days that you have to wait. If you do not get a reply in this time you should complain to the data commissioner.

Meanwhile, you should not dealy getting your appeal submitted, you will have plenty of time to get further details as appeals are currently taking up to 12 months to be heard in some areas.

Gordon wrote:

Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

I think it is 40 working days that you have to wait. If you do not get a reply in this time you should complain to the data commissioner.

It's calendar days

Gordon

Thanks Gordon, I continue to learn 'on the job'

As we all do, no matter what experience we have, or how long we've been moderators.

Thank you, I have already started the appeal and I have recieved the confirmation letter. I am on ESA CB, so I only can recieve it for a year and I cannot claim ESA IB as my partner works full time. I did telephone DWP yesterday after my posting and the man said he was getting someone to call me today, before two ! But nothing, so how would you advise me to get in touch with Data Commisioner, as I dont know what they do or how I should contact them.