If you have been taken off employment and support allowance (ESA) after a medical assessment at Cadogan Street, you have a right of appeal. Also, if you have been refused ESA following an assessment while you were on incapacity benefit or income support, you have the same right of appeal.
Can I get help with an appeal?
If you live in a house owned by Queens Cross Housing Association, or if your home is factored by Queens Cross, then you are eligible to use the Association’s services, including Welfare Rights. Our Welfare Rights Service can help you with the appeal. We also provide representation if your appeal goes to a Tribunal. People who are not eligible for the Association’s services can try GAIN (Glasgow’s Advice and Information Network): free phone helpline: 0808 801 1011 or try their website: www.gain4u.org.uk
How do I appeal?
Print and fill in the NOTICE OF APPEAL (ESA) form. Click here for the form, or you can get a copy of our ESA appeal leaflet (which has the notice of appeal form inside it) from the Association’s office. Hand in (or post) the completed appeal form to Queens Cross Housing Association, 45 Firhill Road, Glasgow G20 7BE. Staff at the office will make sure that your notice of appeal is sent to Job Centre Plus as soon as possible. Or you can post the form to Job Centre Plus at the address shown, if you prefer.
Don’t delay putting in your appeal: The time to appeal is one month from the date of the ESA decision. If the appeal is late, you will have to give reasons for the delay. The time limit can be extended, but this cannot be guaranteed.
What happens next?
After Job Centre Plus gets your appeal, they will look at your case again. If they do not decide in your favour, they will send your appeal and the documents that their decision was based on to a Tribunal, and copies will also be sent to you and to the welfare rights service. The appeal will not usually be heard until many months later. In the meantime, make sure that you keep putting in sick notes - this means you can stay on a basic rate of ESA while waiting on the appeal.
How do I get further advice?
To ask for a welfare rights appointment contact …
Welfare Rights Service, Queen Cross Housing Association
45 Firhill Road, Glasgow G20 7BE
Tel: 0141 589 7336 or Tel: 0141 589 7444
Or the main office number
Tel: 0141 945 3003
Or you can email: contactus@qcha.org.uk