Coming Up To 65 Weeks!

I was horrified to read on a recent post on this forum about the possibility of
ESA claimants being targeted for no reason other than that their claim had reached 65
weeks and that this might even involve a fraud investigation just to "bully" people. This
is causing an immense amount of worry to several of us.

The thread linked to a letter from Polly Toynbee that seemed to confirm this.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=cat...y&catid=10&id=101638

I have still not been migrated from IB to ESA, having sent my ESA50 in 62 weeks ago.

My question is, will I (and other members here) face some totally face a horrible
fraud investigation for no reason in the next 2/3 weeks?

I have been on IB for over 15 years before filling this form. Thank You. Also
are the more details about this horrible prospect?

I am pleased that this has not gone one historically and that there are
procedures in place.

Reading the Toynbee article in full, it seem to be suggesting that this is a
new measure that might not be reflected in historical data.

Looking at her exact wording she says that this is for "all" claimants reaching 65 weeks.

"As all ESA claimants approach the target deadline of 65 weeks on benefits – advisers are told to report them all to the fraud department for maximum pressure."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/j...-state?commentpage=1

Maybe the safeguards will not apply as the pressure is from internal management? Ms Toynbee
tells us very clearly this information was given to her personally by a jobcentre manager.

She says people are being bullied off benefits.

We are very, very worried!

Thank You for your reply.

This is very calming. I can see the logic now and am less worried.