Domesday on 28/11/12!?

A number of clients have found on their ESA decision notice that they are being told that they have been awarded X amount of ESA until 28/11/12.  (Or a date very close to that.)  Each client has a different date of claim, so it can’t be the date for re-assessment or the end of their 52 weeks’ worth.  One client rang the DWP to ask the signifcance of that date, and was told that they have given that as an end date just in case they want to bring in any changes.  (But that benefit will continue past that date, if the client doesn’t heard any different.)

What do the DWP know that we don’t!!?

Had exactly the same thing last week - trying not to think it must mean something sinister…

It’s obviously to get it all tidied up in time for the end of the world in December.

I’ve seen it too. Could it be a very late milleneum bug?

I thought it might be related to the payment date for the £10 Christmas bonus the week after.

perhaps this is the date G4S take over from Atos?

Actually, for all you heathens out there, it’s the date of the second coming of Tony Blair (peace be upon him) as foretold in the holy book of Mandelson, chapter 10, verse 12.

It is related to the payment of the £10 Christmas bonus. This happened to one of my clients last year and when I rang JCP, this was their repsonse

I followed this up with DWP - here is their “helpful” response (hoping for a further helpful response):

“Apologies for the delay in replying to you, unfortunately with it now being peak leave it’s a little more difficult finding the right person!!

I’m currently waiting for a response from our Working Age Policy area to see if they are aware of any issues with ESA notifications as we have not had this reported either internally or externally by anybody else. As soon as have a reply I’ll be in touch.

Many Thanks”

Sorry for resurrecting but wondering if you’ve received a response yet Rosie? I’ve just encountered another example (in an ESA conversion decision letter) and the client (who has mental health issues) is in a panic about it.

I haven’t - thanks for reminding me, I’ll chase it up again

Here’s the reply..

“Hi Rosie
Sorry for taking so long on this, a colleague provided a possible reason but suggested I approach someone else for either confirmation or another explanation.

At the moment the suggestion is that the notification may be showing the date of 26 November 2012 as the claimant is in the work related activity group and therefore subject to the contributory benefit time limit. However as this may be more of an operational issue than policy issue I’ve referred your query to another colleague to clarify if this is indeed the case or whether there is another reason.

I should be able to provide a further update once I’ve heard back from them.”

So that clears that up then….

Wonderful!! Nice to know they have a handle on it…

So the end of the world isn’t on 28/11/12 but on 21/12/12!
Surprise, surprise - the DWP got it wrong again!!!