ESA payment suddenly stopped - looking for advice please
Hello. I am new to the community!
I am hoping for some advice please.
I have been claiming ESA since late January of this year, when I was between homes for awhile, and once moved into my new address, I promptly called them to update them of my new address.
I have multiple chronic health conditions, and as such have been supplying fit notes to the ESA people, who having until recently, been paying me fortnightly. My previous fit note was from my previous g.p. for a three month period. I made a photocopy of this, even though in the past, I have received written and text reminders about my sick note running out.
unfortunately, I moved home, and lost my photocopy, and was very ill for nearly two months after my move in date, so time sped past. Although unsure on what date my sick note ran out, I was reassured from prior experience, that the benefits people would send written and/or text reminders.
They suddenly stopped my payment, which was due on the 25th of April, and although I phoned them, I had difficulty listening to the endless music on they're phone line, due to have hearing loss and an inner ear injury. I instead sent an email, only to find out four days later, that they don't actually deal with ESA benefits issues, only technical!
So, I had no choice but to phone again last Monday (30th April), and spoke to someone about the missing payment, and she said they HAD sent me two reminders in the post (no text tho), however I had received neither. I was advised to get a fit note asap and put into jobcentre to scan across as urgent, and that the payment would then be in my bank within 24 hours.
I did as asked, getting another fit note for three months, and put into jobcentre as advised, however, the payment was still not paid into my bank in the 24 hours promised.
By this time, my family (young boy of nine yrs), were getting extremely low on food.
I phoned yet again (waiting over an hour) to question why the funds hadn't been paid, and why I had not been informed prior to them stopping my money, to be told that although two letter were sent, there are two 'systems' and one had been updated with my new address, but the other hadn't (why?). So I never actually got any written notification that my fit note was running out, as they posted them to the old address.
My question is this: - Can they legally stopped my payment given that it was they're error for sending notifications to the wrong address? Essentially, it means I was not informed and they just stopped my money. I have nothing else to survive on, and cannot work due to my health, with a child also dependent on me.
I really want to complain about this treatment and they're total incompetence which has resulted in my not having any money to survive on for almost two weeks.
i was told they would try to get someone to phone me regarding all this before 6pm last Friday, given the pending bank holiday, but I got no call back, and still no money in bank.
Assuming they do pay me the missing payment tomorrow, my next payment by this point will be the following day, as they have taken almost two weeks and done nothing.
Should I honestly have to endure hunger, and the anxiety caused by having little to no food for my child, when I am also coping with so many chronic illnesses?
please can you advise me on how I should handle this? I have been so distressed, which isn't helpful for my heart condition, and it is all due to the incompetence and complete disregard for my circumstances/wellbeing by this benefits ESA department.
sorry for the long length of my post and I would greatly appreciate any opinions or advise that can be provided.
- Renegadewiccan.
