£600 gone

[user874326686]

Opened a letter last night that says they've decided I'm not entitled to any PIP.

I've been receiving the enhanced rates for daily and mobility for years.

I've never been able to work.

I've stayed up all night to write a letter and collect evidence only to be told it's taking them longer than the 10 week time line to reconsider despite it taking them 5 days to decide to remove all of my award.

I asked how I'm supposed to manage with £600+ removed.
I was told I can get a job as it isn't means-tested.

Unfuckingbelievable

They don't deny claims for no reason

Is this dark humour because they absolutely do decline for no reason!

I'd love for a whistleblower to provide proof that they do too because going to tribunal for people to get back what they were originally awarded must be costing far more than the perceived savings of cutting off the only financial support someone has.

Case and point my father has MND. It's progressing, he will never improve, it is killing him. Anyone with even basic knowledge of MND will know it's fucking cruel and there's no hope or way back. Comfort and dignity are your best aims. DWP recently reduced his PIP from enhanced to zero on the basis of fuck all. In the process he's lost the mobility car we use to transport him around in his wheelchair because that was funded through PIP.

Thankfully MNDA have helped fast track his appeal (mandatory reconsideration was completely ignored), he's been re-awarded and will be back paid. In the meantime we've had to scrabble together enough money to stop my parents slipping into debt because of it. From rejection to reinstatement has taken 3 months - far shorter than projected but far longer than we could cope with. From a cost perspective he's now being reissued a mobility car - more money wasted by DWP in a move to try and save money by cutting off my dad.

@user874326686 if there's a charitable body that supports your disability they could probably be the best option to help. Really hope you get this sorted ASAP.

Sorry, that should've read:

Is it still the case that you're not allowed to use mobile phones to record the interview?

@Tooembarrassingtomention

Very few people cant work at all- it is about getting the right support in place.

Can you get advice and help with this?

I'll bite my tongue and politely suggest you are wrong.

I’m so sorry you’re in this position OP.

Surely if 60+% of appeals result in PIP being reinstated (I.e. their decision to stop PIP was incorrect) that points to a problem with either their assessment process or the support people are given to submit their assessments.

@ifIwerenotanandroid
I have no idea about mobile phones. I wouldn't have thought so because you can't leave them with a copy of the interview. Like I said, two dictaphones recording and give them one at the end of the interview.
That's what I do.

OP do ask CAB for advice and also use any relevant charities for advice on wording your letters.

I lost part of my award and they helped immeasurably to put my appeal together when I was ready to walk away. At the actual appea, which was, I won’t lie, quite stressful, I asked directly for them to consider lengthening the award and I had my claim reinstated and made indefinite.

According to DWP letter that meant they wouldn’t be looking at me again for ten years. Such a relief. I fully expect the letter to arrive on ten years precisely but until then I’m just grateful to CAB.

Hello OP, Some excellent advice on the thread about MR.... definitely do that first and send any extra evidence you might have.

If they still turn you down then go to Tribunal. Chances are it won't get there as they know full well which cases they will almost certainly lose

I helped a friend with a, Tribunal and within six weeks they'd made a U Turn on their decision and she was awarded Enhanced on both Care and Mobility.

In the meantime.... pay the rent but speak to all the Utility companies and let them know your situation.

Definitely though get help with the Appeal.

Good luck. I think it's appalling you have to go through this.

[quote Innocenta]**@CuriousaboutSamphire* @Whatamesssss* You can literally get an indefinite award.

I know because I have one. This is designed to have the lightest possible burden of reassessment.

In no way am I defending the DWP or saying their system is okay. It's crap, and I think OP will - virtually certainly - end up winning on appeal. She also, obviously, isn't obligated to share anything she doesn't want to.

But none of you are helping her, nor do you know half as much about claims as you seem to think you do, frankly. [/quote]
I'm pretty sure they no longer give indefinate awards for PIP. Some people are still on the old DLA system and they have lifetime awards.

@TheSockMonster

I’m so sorry you’re in this position OP.

Surely if 60+% of appeals result in PIP being reinstated (I.e. their decision to stop PIP was incorrect) that points to a problem with either their assessment process or the support people are given to submit their assessments.

Bingo. The assessment process (or more accurately the targets they're set and the way they depict the facts) is a mess.

My MIL got refused for PIP 3 months before she died of terminal cancer riddling her entire body, unable to stay awake for more than a couple of hours at a time. Because she was able to slowly walk across the living room to access her oxygen tank, she was deemed mobile and the assessor brightly noted that she seemed well-kempt and cheerful (yes, because she had us caring for her and was up to the eyeballs on pain meds timed deliberately so she could get through the assessment). The report is incredible, you'd think she did a cartwheel to the front door and then a little tapdance for the assessor. By the time the appeal came round, she was dead. Cunts.

It if so helpful of tooembarrassing to respond by informing the OP she's part of a really small group. I'm sure that information has been really helpful.

Also her insight regarding the suggestion that help and advice might be useful. Who would have thought that could have been pertinent. I'm sure the OP had absolutely no idea when she posted asking for help and advice.

Where would we disabled folk be without people like tooembarrassing.

I absolutely dread this happening and have nothing but sympathy for you. As a previous poster suggested, contact your local MP, it's amazing what they can achieve in a short space of time. Our local MP, Lyndsay Hoyle, is fantastic with stuff like this, one phone call from him and the benefits people soon take notice. I've posted on threads regarding PIP previously and been absolutely slaughtered for some of my suggestions for helping people successfully claim PIP, even getting accused of encouraging people to commit fraud, which I would never do. It seems reading about PIP claims brings out the worst in some people, often people who have never even claimed it. Stay strong and best of luck to you!

@scarpa

There are special rules for terminal illnesses, this should never have happened to your family

Just to ask again op. Are you getting the LCWRA element of UC? This is the element which means you have been assessed to be not fir for any type of work ? Completely separate to PIP.

@Tooembarrassingtomention
Ha ha ha - & of course companies will give you job for those hours & adapt it to your needs - What planet are you living on! & did you not read her dc has issues too? From experience with family member with ASD it years (literally) to find a company that would offer her a job - they had in job support & skills but no offers until the last organisation -where over a decade later they are still there! help with cv multiple help with interview practice didn't help - it was luck & a good interviewer that got them the job
as a landlord - go to CAB take list of all your incomings & outgoings when this money has been removed - Please talk to your agent/landlord & warn them (after CAB) what has happened & that you are fighting to have this reversed & you are going to CAB etc to get help but it may take time
You may get advice re rent - if you get into debt because of this situation
& go to turn2us to check what other help you can get