£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

It wouldn't be all in one though, they would still have to assess whether someone is fit for work, so even if it was one assesment there would still have to be two parts to it so that some people would still qualify for PIP but be able to undertake work. Many many disabled people claiming PIP do some kind of work. Two of my colleagues work full time and get PIP, although I struggle to understand how, but they do so obviously have some disabilities that are hidden. I used to work with a guy in a wheelchair who got PIP, and a man with a severely deformed thumb who got PIP. I know people with Down's syndrome who work in cafes and supermarkets. Lots and lots of people claiming PIP can and do work.

[quote Nosilayak]@Sobeyondthehills I'm sure it was reported recently that the DWP is only going to do one assessment for all benefits. So, that one assessment would be used for PIP, ESA, UC etc? It would be so much easier on people if they did this, instead of putting people through multiple stressful situations. [/quote]
I sort of agree with you, but also if that happened, when I lost PIP, I still had ESA, CTC and CB to rely on, then when my partner lost his job during lockdown 1, we also had HB and his JSA, then when he lost another job during lockdown 3, he wasn't entitled to JSA (still not sure why) so for just over 7 weeks, we had ESA and CB to rely on, because HB stopped and also CTC stopped and we still don't know why. If it had all been on one we would have had nothing for over 7 weeks.

I don't think anyone is talking about the benefit being all in one, just the assessment which could be a joint one to save claimants going through two assessments but could assess for work capability and PIP at the same time. I imagine if it did become a joint assessment, you could still qualify for one and not the other or if you needed to appeal the PIP part, the Esa could still continue??

OP, apologies if this has been addressed already, but are there any health professionals involved in your care who could write a letter supporting your appeal? I'm a clinician in mental health care, and I've written a few of these letters recently. I'm always happy to do it if people ask, because the whole bloody benefits system is so screwed up these days, and it's an absolute nightmare for people who have quite frankly got enough shit to deal with already.

As others have said, a LOT of people win appeals. A LOT.

With transport to hospital, is there any fund available to cover that? In the dim and distant past, I think we sometimes covered a bus fare for people who wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise, but I fear those days are gone.

Also, foodbanks. That's what they're there for.

Good luck.

Definitely appeal, OP, and get help from CAB or similar,

I work in a small team of benefit advisers, We currently have a success rate at PIP appeals of well over 90%. Four of the five of us have a success rate of 100%,

Sadly, @NigellasCookalong, it's not at all unusual for people to go from getting the enhanced rate of both components to getting zero points. It's one of the many things that cause me to think that a significant proportion of these decisions are made completely randomly.

@LakieLady unsure where I’ve said this is unusual? I know this is very common as it’s happened to myself. I only suggested that OP get a copy of the report so she can see what they’re claiming she can do now that she couldn’t do in the past.

@Nosilayak

Can I just ask a, probably stupid, question but if you are in the Support Group for ESA then how can you be told you are not eligible for PIP? I know they are two separate benefits but surely the fact you have been awarded one should influence the other?

The work capability assessment and the PIP assessment are very different. The "descriptors" are completely different. And the WCA allows for special circumstances ie risk to oneself or others, which can get you support group/LCWWRA even if you don't get enough points.

However, ime anyone who's unwell enough to get LCWWRA is generally unwell enough to qualify for PIP, even though they often have to go to appeal to get it.

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

Can you get advice and help with this?*

As a parent to a child with Cerebral Palsy - I really hope this is true and it's this easy.

Getting help and advice and reasonable adjustments has been next to impossible - very stressful - always a battle in school - I hope employment is easier and better, but I'm not holding my breath.

@ForTheLoveOfSleep

It does seem as though they randomly stop claims in the hope that if people are faking they wont re-apply or challenge the decision. It's an incredibly lazy and fucked up way for them to say they are tackling benefit cheats.

I agree that it seems like this. I've literally won appeals just be repeating what I put on the original form and resubmitting the same evidence.

It's bonkers.

One thing that has happened 3 times recently on colleagues' cases is that a few days/weeks before an appeal, the DWP has rung up the adviser dealing with the appeal, asked a few questions and then overturned the original decision.

It's crazy that they turn down a mandatory reconsideration then capitulate a few months down the line. Why the fuck don't they look at things properly at mandatory reconsideration?

My theory is that it's just another way of delaying it and putting people off appealing.

@Nosilayak

Can I just ask a, probably stupid, question but if you are in the Support Group for ESA then how can you be told you are not eligible for PIP? I know they are two separate benefits but surely the fact you have been awarded one should influence the other?

ESA is regarding your capability for work and PIP is your care needs. My Mum is in the ESA support group but was denied PIP. She took it to tribunal and lost.

I receive both LCRWA and PIP and whilst the questions asked in the assessments are similar the intention is completely different. IME there’s much less of a fight to receive ESA/LCRWA than there is for PIP. My LCRWA assessment was a phone call that lasted 5 minutes. My PIP assessments are always house visits that last at least an hour.

I receive full rate PIP and at my last renewal when I was submitting evidence they awarded me zero points based on the fact a letter I submitted stated that I was working with a physiotherapist twice a week so they tried to argue that I ‘went to the gym’, luckily it was reinstated after mandatory consideration.

So sorry OP.
PIP is deliberately discriminatory and obfuscating.
You need to apply for a Mandatory Reconsideration & take to Tribunal.

As for 'very few people can't work but need things put in place'.
Yes. But in the real world I lost a job last year as there was a massive staircase but no lift. I have mobility problems which I declared at interview and they could SEE (my crutches too). But after 3 months they moved me to the office with the high curved staircase. No one helped. None of the agencies / processes. I lost the job and had a health set back as a result. I then struggled to get my benefits 'back'.

It can be very difficult to get a job if you are disabled.
(ironically it was a charity offering mental health support!)
Good luck with it OP x

Some people are still on the old DLA system and they have lifetime awards

DH was awarded DLA for life.
It was a shock to then have it transferred over to PIP, be reassessed by someone with no knowledge of his issues and be told he would not qualify for pip at all. How does being able to stand on one leg for 3 seconds make you fit for work?

@NotAnotherBloodyNameChange

Some people are still on the old DLA system and they have lifetime awards

DH was awarded DLA for life.
It was a shock to then have it transferred over to PIP, be reassessed by someone with no knowledge of his issues and be told he would not qualify for pip at all. How does being able to stand on one leg for 3 seconds make you fit for work?

Yes it's difficult. i have had a few clients recently with lifetime DLA awards and it's difficult to try to explain to them that PIP is different and a lot harder to get. It is risky to report a change which will trigger then to have to apply for PIP. I had one client recently on a lifetime DLA award and if she had not been awarded PIP and had to wait a year for appeal to come to tribunal would have also lost severe disability premium on her ESA. It's a horrible system.

@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?

There is no effective support available for the vast majority of disabled people. It is a lie from the government so they can grind down the disabled till they give up trying to claim benefits or die

Exactly @anniegun. Plus employers often don't want to employ disabled people in the first place.

What an absolute disgrace, so sorry you have all this stress to deal with, shocking way to treat a person with a chronic illness. Good luck,some great advice on this thread, please get support to fight this OP, and update the thread. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@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?

What an ignorant thing to say.

as I said previously - try being disabled & going for work & see how many job offers you get
There are organisations that are (suppose to) help - not all operate in the same way - thank you to the government the way these companies are paid means the less disabled get jobs & they get paid those who need more support they get paid by basically having them on their books. So - we had to "shop around" & changed to different Charities/employment support services until I found one for dd that was geared to her needs -many basically sign you up & you sit in their office applying on line -helpful, not. & by the way I mentioned this support on her PIP form as a reference (along with everyone I could think of including social support & training etc)
You need to fill in EVERY part of the form never leave gaps & repeat & give examples for anyone doing or redoing this & GET advice specific to the nature of the impairment
the form is meant to catch people out the interview is bull faeces & people get failed by rubbish assessments but occasionally if the form is filled out in such a way that they can see there is a lot of evidence written down (& as I was told by one charity - you cannot fill too much evidence in!) the interview denial can be reversed by the form application

No advice but I hope your appeal is successful, OP.

Sorry to hear this OP. No other advice to offer except Don't Vote Tory folks.

‘Too embarrassing to mention’
Are you confusing esa and PIP?
Would go ‘to benefits and work’ people on there are real experts who have worked in this field advising on benefits. Some of site free some paid but modest amount of around 15/pa. worth every penny. They are on your side.
On here some posts show worrying lack of knowledge that does not stop advice and sweeping insulting comments being offered. Some can be dangerous. I would not attempt a benefits claim or appeal without using the site I mentioned,.
Dealing with DWP most are seriously disadvantaged by not having the knowledge needed. You need to get all the info you can to have a prayer.
Also copy everything. Contact your Mp if you are unfairly treated
Good luck

For the record many are not capable of any work and the government accepts this.

@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?

This post surely deserves some sort of award for the Deliberately Obtuse? Very few people can't work at all. Nope, no matter how I turn that over I just can't understand how this poster can justify that statement.

[quote Innocenta]**@user874326686

I'm not denying whatever is going on with your conditions.

For goodness sake. You haven't submitted adequate evidence, or you've otherwise not made a compelling claim. And thus were denied. Which descriptors do you meet?[/quote]
Or the assessor has lied on the forms when they filled them out which is what happened to my yd. Luckily she doesn't have a high rent to worry about as she is still living at home.
Good luck @user874326686 with appealing. We got a copy of the assessment form and a copy of the determiners report and I went through it and wrote a letter back stating what they had got wrong. She was reawarded her PIP with the mobility element added.

I did my nieces ESA & PiP forms recently as she has been very ill and was not able to work .
In January I did her ESA form as she had to have several surgeries on her spine and it will be ongoing surgery for a while .
They put her straight in the support group with no face to face assessment or Interview just on the basis of the information on form that I filled
I put in a consultants letter outlining her condition and how it affected her and the ongoing surgery she would need .
A letter from her doctor stating that she was being refered for a prescribed wheelchair from an enablement Center
And A copy of her prescription
That was it .
In April I did her PIP form for her
I used ESA form to inform them that she was placed in the support group without a face to face assessment .
I used exactly the same information that I sent for ESA to PIP

In each section of the form I referred back to how the condition and illness affected her ability to do whatever the question asked about
I also photocopied everything and filed it away and sent it recorded tracked and signed . And checked that it arrived
In September just over 4 months after applying for PIP she was awarded 5 years and got both high rate care and high rate mobility
She didn’t have a face to face assessment only a short phone interview

What I noticed is that people tend to concentrate on the illness and supply lots of info about the illness itself .
That’s not what they want to know .
They need to do is explain how the illness affects them to do A .B & C
I’ve filled out a at least 5 -6 PIP & ESA forms for people over the last few years and they all got it without having to do any sort of MR or Appeal