Telephone questions

JoeB wrote:

Further explaination, she said she may be able to sort it with out going to appeal, but I sure I read that it's better not to talk to them as I could lose every thing. The have just reinstated basic ESA.
I have MS and am pretty fatigued at the moment I am scared of saying some thing wrong.
JoeB

The practice of the DWP contacting claimants of DLA or ESA to see if it can be resolved
without going to formal appeal is a fairly new practice. You get to speak to a Decision Maker (DM) but usually not the one who first made the decision on your claim.

I cannot speak for ESA, as we only deal with DLA but Jim and I have received good feedback from claimants who have had their refusal of DLA overturned by a DM without having to proceed to formal appeal.

However, the decision as to whether you wish to speak on the 'phone is a decision only you can make.

Good luck.

Pat

JoeB wrote:

Thank you, but I havent heard back about my appeal yet, this was to stop me going to appeal (I think) I am finding all this very complicated and stressfull, I dont want to lose my temper with her if I can help it

If you believe that the DWP staff member was trying to discourage you from proceeding with your appeal, please see my response in this thread HERE.

She rang back, sounds nice and convincing but is she a smiling assassin I wonder She said she was convinced but she will think about it and ring me tomorrow. She said at first she would put me in the work related one but I think thats the tricksy one isnt it? if I cant make it I will lose money for 12 months or somthing. I can't do it anyway and told her so. That's what she is thinking about.

Now completely exhausted and need to go back to bed My head is full of gooo. Thank god me mum keeps my paper work in order.
Thanks for the help,

Thanks Pat, it's nice to know she is genuine and not being nice to get her quota up if you know what I mean. It's just having the clear head to go through everything that's a problem. She did offer to ring back tomorrow but I doubt I will be any better thern so just wanted it over with.
I'm not sure I can go through all this again with DLA, how on earth do people who are alone with no support cope with all this.

Will post how I got on with this tomorrow in case anyone else comes up against it
JoeB

Well, what do you know, there are proper human beings working for the DWP after all. After a pretty exhuasting afternoon yesterday, the lady rang me back today to say she had put me on ESA support for another 12 months. But I will be checked again nexed year for any improvements. I have MS, if they found a cure tomorrow the damage is already done but at least I get to relax a bit for 12 months.
Bring on the DLP now!! Well, may be not