Need proof of ESA letter - finding it hard to contact DWP.

rudolf
rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Need proof of ESA letter - I believe it’s 4 pages long and states the type of ESA.

I am trying an 0800 number to get hold of them but I just get put on hold for what seems like forever - every day.

Does anyone have any advice? It’s so frustrating.

Thanks.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    The best time to ring them is as soon as they open but even then you could be waiting an hour for them to answer. Even with a letter they are extremely difficult to understand.

    If you could give us more information they we maybe able to tell you which type you're claiming. When did you first claim it and were you working in the 2 years before you claimed? Where you claiming Incapacity benefit before being transferred to ESA?
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    poppy123456 said: If you could give us more information they we maybe able to tell you which type you're claiming. 
    From opening post I infer OP needs a proof of benefit letter for another purpose.
  • rudolf
    rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    calcotti said:
    poppy123456 said: If you could give us more information they we maybe able to tell you which type you're claiming. 
    From opening post I infer OP needs a proof of benefit letter for another purpose.
    Thank yes I need to show it to someone.
  • rudolf
    rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    poppy123456 said:
    The best time to ring them is as soon as they open but even then you could be waiting an hour for them to answer. Even with a letter they are extremely difficult to understand. 
    Thanks. I can’t phone as soon as they are open as I am zonked out on medication.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    There's no alternative phone number. It does often take up to an hour for someone to answer, are you able to put your phone onto speaker phone while you wait?
  • rudolf
    rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    poppy123456 said:
    There's no alternative phone number. It does often take up to an hour for someone to answer, are you able to put your phone onto speaker phone while you wait?
    Thanks. Yes I had my phone on speaker phone. I will just have to keep trying.
  • wilko
    wilko Online Community Member Posts: 2,438 Championing
    @rudolf, waiting for the DWP to answer the phone is very annoying. I find like poppy123456 said putting your phone on speaker and reading a book and keeping an ear open for hello DWP and it makes you jump but yes it can take ages to get an answer but when you do they are very helpful despite all the bad reports.
  • rudolf
    rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    Thanks @wilko I will get on the case tomorrow making sure this time I don’t accidentally hang up after 40 minutes as I try texting people through boredom.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,469 Championing
    Have you had any luck getting through today @rudolf? 
  • rudolf
    rudolf Online Community Member Posts: 30 Connected
    Hi @Tori_Scope no but I will try them tomorrow. I just checked my emails and they sent me one asking for my address and post code. Do you think I should still try and phone them or carry on with the email correspondence?

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