Our debt and a proportion of “savings” that should not have been taken into account, and led to the application was declined.
We requested a mandatory reconsideration but the letter was not received at the UC Freepost address, despite personally handing over the letter in a post office. (No recorded delivery available with address type)
Despite 100s of calls over the last 3 months, no MR decision has been advised. On challenging on the UC phone line, advised no timescale applies to MRs. Also my DWP Job Seekers Allowance work coach expressed little confidence in any positive MR outcome for the claimant.
Without a MR decision you can’t appeal.
Has anyone experienced this situation? Has Anyone succeeded in an approach to force a MR decision, to enable an appeal?
I'm afraid unless your original letter said that you could go straight to Appeal - then you have no choice but to go through the MR process and wait for their response. Unfortunately, as you were told there are no timescales attached MRs.
The only thing I can suggest is that you contact your MP and see if they are willing to intervene on your behalf. Sometimes a call from an MP does speed up the slow pace of people's benefits.
(In the future - I would advise you to cross out the Freepost on one of their envelopes and pay for postage and tracking.)
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
