Today, in the post. My partner received a letter From the DWP "Jobcentre Plus". This followed a telephone call and supporting followup letter.
The initial problem was a change in his payment frequency. A letter was received, a few weeks ago. Stating that, as he had requested a change to the payment frequency, it was now changed. Of course, no change was ever requested.
So we telephoned them. There was some excuse given about his surname (it is hyphenated). We should point out that for the last seven years they have had his correct information. The excuse was suggesting he had just notified them of a "change of name".
Based on previous experience with the DWP. I decided to write a letter. I would advise you to always follow up a call to them with a letter. If only so an "audit" trail is created on your file, but I digress.
The response this morning blames "human" and "computer" errors.
The key bit of information and the reason for this post is :
"The initial problem arose following information downloaded to the Income Support (IS) Computer System from the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Computer system. The DLA system currently holds your name correctly as a hyphenated surname, the IS system will not allow the name to be hyphenated. This resulted in your Income Support claim being suspended, incorrectly.
When Income Support was put back into the payment the computer system faulted and initially payments had to be made weekly."
This explaination completely different & much fuller than the initial phone call. We didn't know until this his benefit had been suspended.
I post this to show how the computer systems work. The potential problems that might arise. If you have a hyphenated surname "forewarned is forearmed".
On the DLA front. Further to previous posts. We are both still waiting to hear back from the DWP.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Can someone give advice about medical examinations under the DLA review.
Some of what I read seems to suggest that if you are receiving the higher rate of DLA (originally granted under Special Rules) then you do not have to undertake a medical.
Can anybody clarify this situation please?
Excellent point! thanks for that.
The Benefits & Work web site has alot of specifc information on the processes involved. See http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ . Though you may have to subscribe.
You will be assessed if you are subject to review. By the DWP obtaining a medical report. On the DBD551, regardless it seems of any other doctors you put down on the form. They will, and should, approach at least your HIV consultant. This medical report may well stop the review process with your award staying the same. If the decision maker has reached that conclusion.
If you are asked to complete a DLA556 form. Upon submission of this & the Decision Makers judgement. Again you may well be awarded your benefit at the same level "Higher Rate". Until your next review.
If the decision is changed. That is, your award is lowered or removed there may be a "knock on" effect to other benefits - see the Benefits Dependancies Flow chart, in Documents on the main web site.
If you claim Incapacity Benefit (IB) as well as DLA. Any lowering of DLA award may make you liable to a review of Incapacity Benefit and a "Personal Capability Assessment" PCA for Incapacity Benefit - see http://www.dwp.gov.uk/medical/percap.asp for more information on this. This depends on if they decide to review your IB. This may make you liable to a medical examination.
If you decide to appeal a DLA or other benefit decision - the full advice is in the DWP leaflet & form GL24. Available for download from the Documents section of the main web site or do a "Google" search for GL24.
Also see the page "Guidance - read this" on the main page.
Everyones case is different and treated in a different way. There seems to be no fixed standards here.
I am not a welfare rights worker. Merely, like us all. Trying to make sense of it.
If you work in this area your comments would be very welcome to add clarity.
Post a Comment