PIP Not Renewed

[Rockhopper81]

Not sure if someone can offer any advice or just support whilst I try and sort this.

I was originally awarded PIP - standard rate for daily living and mobility components - in January 2018. I am autistic, and have depression and anxiety as well. I was told at the assessment that they recommended review would be at least 5 years because 'autism doesn't go away'.

I had a letter last year saying the award was extended by a year because of Covid backlogs, so I had my review (via telephone) at the beginning of the month.

I've received a letter today saying my award has been ended from February 20th, as my needs have changed (they haven't).

I'm in a bit of a state right now - I get disability premium on my ESA (single person) because I was awarded PIP, so my ESA will now go down too. To say this has added to my difficulties would be an understatement.

I know I need to ask for a mandatory reconsideration first. I don't have 'medical professional letters' to add in - adult support for ASD isn't great at best, plus I would be considered 'high functioning' (hate that term), so wouldn't have a worker anyway.

I'm petrified it's all going to go wrong and I'm going to end up completely in the shite here. The assessor was pleasant enough, but she had a thick overseas accent, so I struggled to understand her at times (although the letter says I was fine with understanding). It also states I didn't need support from a third party, but my mum was there and the call was on speakerphone - which I said - and my mum was helping, but trying not to be heard (she didn't want to appear rude).

I'm hoping someone can offer some light at the end of the tunnel that I can get this sorted - I'm panicking at the moment.

[Lumiodes]

I don’t understand why they need to review it at all, ever. As you said, autism doesn’t go away. Have they explained how they think your needs have changed? Obviously you need to appeal, sometimes they’re just being ridiculous and you get awarded it straight back. My mum didn’t even need to speak at her appeal, she just showed them her legs and they reinstated her payments, with some very choice words for the assessor.

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

There is a good group on fb called something like a1 benefit support and advice.
If you can't find it, let me know and I will link it.
But yes, do the MR. Get some support to do it. But try not to worry if it needs to go to tribunal. Your needs haven't changed so it will get sorted if you get the right support and you're persistent.

[daffodilfan]

Have you looked at how they have scored you this time compared to last time?

Which category now has a lower score?

[mrsbyers]

The exact same happened to me last February , I went to MR and they upheld it and had tribunal two weeks ago - before they even started the tribunal they told me they were reinstating my award as there was no justification for it being removed as no one from dwp was there to argue. They actually increased my mobility to full and expecting a years backdated money to hit bank this week.

Do not give up !

[Blackcats7]

Have a look at fightback4justice
They are a non profit group who can help
you word a mr and appeal should you need that.
Small monthly charge to access their help (£4.99-11.99) but you can do it just for one month.
They have a huge success rate. Well worth it.
DWP frequently do not understand mental health stuff as they should.
Try not to worry too much as yet, a good mr may well sort it out fairly quickly.

[TheShellBeach]

Start with a mandatory reconsideration first.

That's what I did and they actually changed their minds.

I told them that nothing had changed and that I'd go for a tribunal if necessary.

When I was very first awarded, I had to go all the way to a tribunal to get it.

It was when I got the renewal that they told me they were stopping my PIP. But they gave it back to me after the mandatory reconsideration.

Good luck.

[DorothyZ]

For the MR break down every descriptor and show where you were awarded points before and then explain and evidence why you should still have these points.

[Beach2lion]

The citizens advice bureau will be able to help re. PIP

[Babyroobs]

You'd just have to look back at your last award letter, see where you scored points there and haven't now, check they still apply. Then see if you still have enough points for an award. Do you go out alone or need support - did you score for mobility on the going out alone descriptor? Have you been awarded any points this time for anything? If you are only a few points short then it's generally easier to challenge.

[Gorjus]

@Beach2lion

The citizens advice bureau will be able to help re. PIP

This. And when you go to appeal (and it's likely to be "when" not "if"), your local Citizens Advice may be able to refer you to a welfare rights specialist, who can represent you at the tribunal hearing.

Mental Health and Money Advice has some useful info about PIP and how to get help with your claim.

DWP are gatekeepers, operating on the basis that people will give up if their claims are refused. Their decisions are based on (Capita) assessment reports that rarely show the full extent of an individual's daily struggles. Tribunals are independent, so they can make impartial, well-reasoned decisions, often in favour of the claimant.

(I work for a local Citizens Advice)

[Rockhopper81]

Thank you for all your messages and support. I found a template online to help construct a letter asking for the mandatory review, so that has been sent.

My scores this time were 2 points in the daily living section and 0 points in the moving around section - last time they were 10 points in each section.

I'm not expecting the mandatory review to change the decision, but at least then I can submit an appeal (which I know will take months). My amazing parents have said they will help out financially if needed until it's sorted, but I'm aware a lot of people don't have that safety net...I understand people can't just say they need these benefits and be given them, but it seems the DWP makes things as hard as possible for people who least in a position to deal with it.

Thanks again for all you suggestions, I will check out the Facebook group and website, as well as the CAB.

[DorothyZ]

@Rockhopper81

Thank you for all your messages and support. I found a template online to help construct a letter asking for the mandatory review, so that has been sent.

My scores this time were 2 points in the daily living section and 0 points in the moving around section - last time they were 10 points in each section.

I'm not expecting the mandatory review to change the decision, but at least then I can submit an appeal (which I know will take months). My amazing parents have said they will help out financially if needed until it's sorted, but I'm aware a lot of people don't have that safety net...I understand people can't just say they need these benefits and be given them, but it seems the DWP makes things as hard as possible for people who least in a position to deal with it.

Thanks again for all you suggestions, I will check out the Facebook group and website, as well as the CAB.

It absolutely can be changed at MR but you need to break it down and explain why you should scare the points you did previously. If you have juts sent a request for MR with no further detail you will have to wait months to end up at tribunal - if you have challenged their decision and given reasons for each descriptor then you may well have it sorted at MR stage

[Rockhopper81]

@DorothyZ

I included details for each descriptor as to why I met them (if that makes sense), so included why I couldn't plan or follow an unfamiliar route without assistance, for example.

All I can do now is wait and see I suppose.

[DorothyZ]

@Rockhopper81

@DorothyZ

I included details for each descriptor as to why I met them (if that makes sense), so included why I couldn't plan or follow an unfamiliar route without assistance, for example.

All I can do now is wait and see I suppose.

You could be ok here, good luck!

[TheShellBeach]

Any news yet, OP?

[Rockhopper81]

@TheShellBeach

Any news yet, OP?

I had a text message on 11/03 basically saying they had received my mandatory reconsideration request and I should hear within 8 weeks. So we're almost 2 weeks into that - who knows how much longer it will be though!

My ESA has gone down as expected, and they paid me on a different day, and then again in error...so I've had two 45 minutes waits to speak to the DWP. I think it's sorted, although I'm still waiting to hear if they will recall the extra payment (which I expect), or if it will be deemed a 'professional error' and they won't claim it back (apparently a thing).

So now I'm very purposefully making sure I don't spend that money (even though my ESA payment decreased significantly), so they can have it back if they want - they're supposed to be writing about that too, but again, nothing yet. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[shellyleppard]

Op can you contact the citizens advice bureau and ask for help with the mandatory reconsideration??? I did with mine and it went to a tribunal..... which I won. Even the lady from the DWP said they had made a mistake. Good luck x

[Smokeysgirl]

@Rockhopper81 Apologies if this is a stupid question, but why has your ESA reduced, I thought it wasn't connected to PIP?

[Smokeysgirl]

Sorry, just to make my concern clearer, my dh gets standard rate PIP for mental health issues and he's also in the support group for ESA, does this change if you no longer get PIP?

[Babyroobs]

@Smokeysgirl

@Rockhopper81 Apologies if this is a stupid question, but why has your ESA reduced, I thought it wasn't connected to PIP?

People who live alone and have no-one claiming carers allowance for them and are in receipt of an income related benefit like income related ESA will get a severe disability premium added to their ESA if awarded PIP. If PIP stops they lose the sdp. SDP is around £75 a week, so a lot to lose. On the new benefits like UC there is no sdp in the first place so it's not so crucial.

[Babyroobs]

@Smokeysgirl

Sorry, just to make my concern clearer, my dh gets standard rate PIP for mental health issues and he's also in the support group for ESA, does this change if you no longer get PIP?

Nothing would change for you ( except the loss of the PIP payments) because your dh will not be getting sdp as doesn't live alone, and also his ESA is likely to be contributions based ?

[Rockhopper81]

@Smokeysgirl - it's exactly as @Babyroobs says, because my PIP has stopped, I don't get the Severe Disability Premium on my ESA. As your husband doesn't receive the SDP, it wouldn't impact his ESA (if there were to be a time he no longer received PIP).

[Smokeysgirl]

@Babyroobs and @Rockhopper81 thank you both for the explanation and, yes, he is in receipt of contributions based ESA.

[caringcarer]

If you haven't got any evidence from consultants have you considered asking someone who knows you well, including your limitations to do a witness statement to support your claim?

[Rockhopper81]

@caringcarer

If you haven't got any evidence from consultants have you considered asking someone who knows you well, including your limitations to do a witness statement to support your claim?

This is my plan moving forward if my mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful and we head to tribunal (which is the course I'm expecting it to take, to be honest).