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Anyone else had this experience?

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StillIRise
StillIRise Community member Posts: 178 Pioneering
in Benefits and financial support
I have longterm mental illness problems that are unlikely to get better, so I've been unable to work for many years.  I first went on ESA in 2008 and was put in the Support Group and not assessed again for five years.  Then in 2013 I was assessed and put into the Support Group again.  Then they didn't assess me again until 2020.  Support group again. 
Over the years I've sometimes contacted the DWP to find out when I'm being reviewed.  On two occasions now they have told me they've used a combination of my previous medical evidence and my PIP/DLA assessment info to decide to extend the length of my ESA without even contacting me or speaking to me.  

They also had some kind of marker on my file that I was mentally unfit to necessarily send back forms.  At one point I applied for PIP and failed to send in the form due to my mental health.  So despite no form from me they still arranged an assessment.  The health worker did the assessment and despite no form. and me forgetting to provide any evidence, I still got awarded PIP. 

I can't be the only person this has happened to. 
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 2023
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    It happens. It should probably happen more often than it does.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,983 Disability Gamechanger
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    Thanks for finding the courage to reach out to us @StillIRise. I appreciate how much courage it can take to reach out, especially when you are fairly new and finding things difficult. 

    I can hear your frustrations, especially given that they have not even contacted you or spoken to you. It doesn't sound supportive at all, especially with your mental illness problems.

    How are you feeling about everything at the moment, especially being awarded PIP? Despite all of this happening. 

    Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to support you. We are all here for you and listening to you.

    Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon  :)
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
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