Who knew? The DWP can cure Autism!!!

[hetookthecorkscrewtoo]

Just a rant really.

Apparently my son turned 16 and all the struggles of being on the Spectrum and having severe social anxiety have disappeared!

Nothing to do with having to apply for PIP after receiving DLA for the past 6 years

And so we start the appeal process yet again as apparently the so called 'health care assessor' know my son far better than me after one phone call, more than his family, school, doctor, occupational health, CAMHS.

And 'no evidence of a DLA claim' for supporting evidence, shame I've kept the paperwork detailing the award. I know it's a cliché but how do they sleep knowing they have taken a vulnerable child's support away?

That is just horrendous. I'm so sorry they're putting you through this xxx

Went through this with a student I worked with who had ASD. Did him a full report explaining everything in detail, and stating that his challenges will continue once he turns 16. Was at the meeting when a man came for about a half hour and all of this was explained again. Still cut his DLA. Absolutely mad. Thus must do it to everyone

I am sorry you are going through this. These PIP assessments seem so cruel

My son has had DLA since he was 5, we have PIP interview on Wednesday, not optimistic.

Not expecting them to have any understanding of trauma and neglect ( my son is adopted) which have a huge impact on his life.

please when you fill in the form answer every question & add extra notes & attach copies of any paperwork or evidence
(is it still a paper based form that has to be posted?)
I numbered each page of evidence & labelled them form A form B than when I referred to real life issues & things that happened I referred them to respective form & page number. I added the name & contact details of anybody dd had come into contact with. Regarding hospital treatment - I pointed out that most treatment for people within spectrum is equivalent tot the social emotional support they need (part of the diagnosis & work & educational support & listed that.
It took a lot of time she failed the "assessment" but they passed the paperwork - &she got PIP (what happens next goodness knows)
I wrote reams - get advice from CAB/Autism groups or disability charities - I did & they told me you can't write too much

I have terrible experiences of them also much like yours. You have my sympathies

Don't give up. Ever.
Just learn how to state your facts in a way the DWP have to accept them. Nothing changes with your child's condition, but DWP's perception of their condition and the impact it has on their lives will.

CAB online forms free and Benefits and Work guides free after a 1 year subscription +/- £15 have excellent guides on how to fill in the forms and how to appeal at every level.

I had to go all the way to Tribunal and the judge was amazingly fair. He awarded DD enhanced rate of both components and added it was "inappropriate to set a term" which means she'll have a paper review once every 10 years.

For everyone who is struggling with DWP's system, it is vile, but you CAN receive a fair award. It takes a lot of your time and patience, but it is worth it.

It is utterly disgusting!

Myself & brother have chronic health conditions, I still haven't been changed over to PIP yet (dread the day), but a few years ago he got his letter. The poor kid was 21 years old at the time awaiting a double lung transplant & my dad had to take it to a tribunal!! He has been able to claim DLA his whole life, my brother had plenty of evidence even a letter stating due to the seriousness of his declining health he had 12-18 months life expectancy. They stopped his money & took his car away which my dad would use to take him too & from hospital appointments as he gave up work to look after him. When they came round for the face to face assessment my brother was on 24hr oxygen, couldn't walk up or down the stairs ect & apparently he didn't meet the criteria!!

Don't give up & keep fighting, get all the evidence you can & I'd advise contact CAB as my dad did this & they were really helpful, he also went to see the local MP as well. They eventually did give my brother it in the end but my dad really had to fight on his behalf.

I am sorry you're going through it, it's an awful system. Good luck.

Thank you all for your replies, it doesn't help that I have BPD and PTSD so anything like this sets my anxiety and stress levels rocketing, but will fight for my boy, its the people who haven't the strength or capability to fight back against a vile flawed and fundamentally murderous system

I know two families who are going through this at the moment. They are asking everyone they know to write to our MP to say how disgraceful this is. Might achieve nothing, but if an MP receives 150 emails they can't say they're unaware of the personal impact when it comes to voting on an issue, and when it comes to us voting for them...

Here are some of the things you may encounter. It shows how DWP looks at PIP claims.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/4361-24-march-2021-update

I have to apply for mandatory consideration EVERY SINGLE TIME I apply for DLA for my 2 with complex needs. So complex that they are not able to be accommodated in the school system.

Makes me sick.

My eldest can't leave the house without intense support but only receives middle rate because he can (mostly) get through the night with medication. I've had to give up my job to stop him from killing himself. Dreading the PIP application next year.

The whole system sucks.

I was lucky and had no issues switching from DLA to PIP for DS. He had a paper based assessment and got a 10-year award at enhanced/enhanced rate. Well, I say lucky but it was probably seamless due to the volume of SALT/OT/psych reports he had from his residential autistic special school - he obviously had a lot of input as his needs were so high. Friends I know whose dc went to mainstream schools were more likely to get turned down. But of course I would rather DS was able enough not to need special school even if it has meant it's been easier to apply for benefits (he got LCWRA on UC with no assessment once he left school).

DWP...Department of Wankers and Pillocks 😡😡😡😡😡