this is an exact quote from a recent ESA decision from Nottm BDC

“Dear Mr *********

YOUR CLAIM FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE

A CHANGE IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE RATE PAYABLE

We have looked at your claim again following a recent change.

We cannot pay you Employment and Support Allowance from 27 October 2009.

We cannot pay you because you and your partner have more than £16000.00 in savings. Claim again if your savings decrease to £16000.00 or less.

We cannot pay you because you have not paid, or been credited with enough National Insurance Contributions.

We cannot pay you Employment and Support Allowance from 20 February 2010.

You are not getting any more Employment and Support Allowance.

We can not pay you because after attending a medical assessment it has been decided you do not have any limited capability for work.

We cannot pay you because you have not paid, or been credited with enough National Insurance Contributions.

You have appealed against the decision that you do not have Limited Capability for Work.

We will pay you at the assessment rate of Employment and Support Allowance until your appeal is heard………………….. “

Have been told recently that there is a working group looking at ESA letters. I asked whether any members of the public were involved in the group......er, no, apparently not.

Needless to say DMs do not actually see what goes out either. Also costs money to get the letters changed (private IT contractor, of course)

Another fine mess for IDS to clear up.

The line that stands out is "You are not getting any more Employment & Support Allowance." The only thing missing is "So there!"

I've seen plenty of similiar examples for IS and JSA too.

You can't say that it's not comprehensive. They've managed to disentitle the client on almost every possible ground it appears......

They could at least have the decency to include the recipe for Baked Alaska. Everything else is included in these letters.