posting questionnaires

In regards to sending esa questionnaire back you recommend sending recorded delivery, the questionnaire seems to be going back to po box numbers, it is best to send special delivery, because from what has been mentioned on here, they don;t seem to beleive proof of posting even when you have a certificate. A freind of mine is worried about this as her form has to be back no later than 27th oct. I have suggested she send a copy to the local benefits office dm too at the same time so at least one will get it if the other does not.
She is a bit worried about supporting evidence as consultant will not write a letter unless it is for an appeal. Surely this cannot be right, What if the dwp request more information from them when looking at questionnaire as she is applying under special circumstances in regards mental health and being a danger if she is not found having limited capacbility for work. Any thoughts?

paula wrote:

In regards to sending esa questionnaire back you recommend sending recorded delivery, the questionnaire seems to be going back to po box numbers, it is best to send special delivery, because from what has been mentioned on here, they don;t seem to beleive proof of posting even when you have a certificate. A freind of mine is worried about this as her form has to be back no later than 27th oct. I have suggested she send a copy to the local benefits office dm too at the same time so at least one will get it if the other does not.
She is a bit worried about supporting evidence as consultant will not write a letter unless it is for an appeal. Surely this cannot be right, What if the dwp request more information from them when looking at questionnaire as she is applying under special circumstances in regards mental health and being a danger if she is not found having limited capacbility for work. Any thoughts?

Hi P,

With regards to proof of posting, I can only refer you to my other post here. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=70525#70527

Members have also posted copy to the DM as a back up.

With regards to the consultant, I am afraid that he is not compelled to provide a letter of support or report for his patients.

He may provide one if an offer of payment is made on a private basis, but this could be costly.

Any letters or correspondance from a consultant to a G.P. can be accessed in your G.P. practice records, however again there will probably be a fee.

It is unfortunate that some Consultants and G.P.'s are most willing to provide support, sometimes free of charge, and others can be most unsupportive.

Unfortunately you can't force your G.P. or consultant to provide such support, as they are not contractually obliged to do this.

bro58

bro58 wrote:

paula wrote:

In regards to sending esa questionnaire back you recommend sending recorded delivery, the questionnaire seems to be going back to po box numbers, it is best to send special delivery, because from what has been mentioned on here, they don;t seem to beleive proof of posting even when you have a certificate. A freind of mine is worried about this as her form has to be back no later than 27th oct. I have suggested she send a copy to the local benefits office dm too at the same time so at least one will get it if the other does not.
She is a bit worried about supporting evidence as consultant will not write a letter unless it is for an appeal. Surely this cannot be right, What if the dwp request more information from them when looking at questionnaire as she is applying under special circumstances in regards mental health and being a danger if she is not found having limited capacbility for work. Any thoughts?

Hi P,

With regards to proof of posting, I can only refer you to my other post here. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=70525#70527

Members have also posted copy to the DM as a back up.

With regards to the consultant, I am afraid that he is not compelled to provide a letter of support or report for his patients.

He may provide one if an offer of payment is made on a private basis, but this could be costly.

Any letters or correspondance from a consultant to a G.P. can be accessed in your G.P. practice records, however again there will probably be a fee.

It is unfortunate that some Consultants and G.P.'s are most willing to provide support, sometimes free of charge, and others can be most unsupportive.

Unfortunately you can't force your G.P. or consultant to provide such support, as they are not contractually obliged to do this.

bro58

Hi again P,

If your friend cannot gain any letters or reports in support of the claim, make sure that a request is made within the ESA50 that all relevant treating HCP's, G.P.'s consultants are contacted to gain further evidence.

If the DM then fails to gain such evidence as requested, and comes to an adverse decision regarding the award of ESA, your friend may then be able to use this arguement to aid an appeal.

bro58

thanks bro58, that last request is really useful, i will make a note of it and pass it on. Cheers

paula wrote:

thanks bro58, that last request is really useful, i will make a note of it and pass it on. Cheers

Hi P

See this post by Crazydiamond re the DM's "Burden of Proof". :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...imit=6&start=6#69226

bro58