Expat Disability Benefits.

[Warrior]

I’ve just heard from the DWP that the lead cases for reinstatement of expats disability benefits due to be heard by the Appeals Tribunal on 3rd & 4th March have been adjourned with no date for rescheduling.

They also state that following recent changes announced in a Ministerial statement on 25th February an enquiry form (EXP2C) now has to be completed and that one was sent to me on 28th April together with a reminder on 14th May, neither of which have been received by me!

Has anyone else heard of these changes, whatever they are, or has anyone received this form EXP2C or is this yet another delaying tactic by these gangsters?

[Rob1305]

DWP giving a talk at U3A this week (Los Arcos Thurs) I am sure they would be delighted to answer your question.

[Warrior]

DWP giving a talk at U3A this week (Los Arcos Thurs) I am sure they would be delighted to answer your question.

I doubt very much they would - the Spanish based branch of the DWP have never given a straight answer in the past to any questions regarding Expats Disability Benefits and the way HMG have stolen them - they normally just spout: 'I'm afraid that I have no information with regard to that question' but by all means try it.

[Rob1305]

I agree they are unable to answer specific questions related to individuals personal cases in these public sessions - but the last time I went I thought they answered questions quite fully. They claim to be here to help and obviously some people have personal issues they want resolving - I assume they operate an appointments system in Alicante.

[Warrior]

I'm afraid I will be unable to attend the meeting due to an Urbi AGM - but if you go Rob please ask 'When the DWP intend to repay all the Disability Benefits that HMG have stolen from 2000 or so Expats and when they intend to reinstate said benefits as ordered by the European Court of Justice in October 2007' but I think the answer you'll get will be as above......................!!!

[Rob1305]

Martyn Standing was unable to provide an exact answer to the question because I was not in full possession of all of your relevant facts (date you moved to Spain etc) But I understand that recipients can now re-apply, payments will be re-instated (and backdated) to those who qualify and I understand that dates are an important factor in this process.

Sorry I could not be of more help - suggest you contact DWP in Alicante for more but I think the actual decision does of course rest with the dept in the UK.

[Warrior]

Many thanks for taking the trouble Rob - but the fact is I re-applied in 2007 to the DWP in UK and have been put through hoops ever since, being sent forms via Malta that are only photo-copied on one side, taken to appeals tribunals and generally given the run-around.
Perhaps, now that what seems to be a more humane government are in charge, we may actually get a result, but I'm not holding my breath!

[Rob1305]

Whilst (as I understand it) the team in Alicante cannot adjudicate on individual cases they are able to at least advise first hand in person on the rules and regs etc. ie easier than letters/phone calls to the UK. Perhaps give them (another) a try. Martyn Standing 965 21 60 22. Theyshare an offices with the consulate near Cortes Ingles in Alicante (Plaza Calvo Sotelo)

This web site does give a lot of good general information for Expats
Living in Spain

this one for directions
Alicante Consulate