Is it normal for pip to part backpay?

headachey

Hello, so I was rang by pip on Tues, they asked my bank details, what support I have around handling money and if I want lump sum or staggered payment for backpay. I explained I'd prefer lump sum so can pay of some debt and that I have support to make sure I can manage it. They said they needed to know my preferences for their record. The next day I had a text with pip award, I rang up to find out entitlement, payment date and asked about back pay. I was told backpay is coming as £600 next week but that the rest owed is waiting to "be calculated and approved" and that "someone will contact me when that's done". Is that normal or are they trying to stagger when I requested lump?

SueHeath

Morning @headachey hope your good this morning.
Sorry i have no idea about this but hopefully our great in the know members will pick up on your thread darling x

poppy123456

Do you owe any money to DWP for anything at all?

headachey

Only a budgeting loan to my knowledge. It's being deducted from my UC.

poppy123456

Then it maybe that. I can't think of any other reason for them to hold onto any money because you told them you can manage a lump sum. The only thing i can suggest is to ring them again to ask. Hopefully this time the person you speak to can give more information.

headachey

Thank you @poppy123456 more waiting for me but atleast I know I'll be getting pip. When award letter comes in I'll try applying for bus pass, worth a try right.

L_Volunteer

How are you feeling about the wait at the moment @headachey? It sounds like a relief that you know you'll be getting PIP and might also be eligible for the bus pass 

headachey

Had a phone call from pip today saying to ignore the first award letter sent as it's been corrected and resent. So apparently the reason I only got £600 something wasn't to do with debts but cos they only backpaid for mobility saying that while in Supported accommodation I don't qualify for the daily element even though I'm entitled to it. But they did some checks about what type of accommodation I'm in, they thought it was a care home for some reason, they corrected the award to now include the daily element meaning I'll be backpaid for that within a week apparently, I'm assuming a chunk will still go to debts first but I'll still get over £1000 which will help with some debts and stuff for kids.
I didn't know living in supported accommodation means some people can't get the daily element even if entitled to it, doesn't seem fair on those people.

L_Volunteer

Really positive to hear it's been corrected and resent @headachey. It sounds like a relief, especially since it will help with debts and stuff for kids. I really hear what you're saying though about seeming unfair 

naelliott

@headachey sorry to jump on your post but I was wondering how long you ended up waiting for your back payment as I am currently in a similar situation. Thankyou for your time
time 

headachey

Hello @naelliott I finally got my backpay those week Tuesday just gone, I've rang pip and dwp debt management everyday all through Feb. On 2nd pip said they'd sent the backpayment over to DWP debt management to process and they'd refund me what what left after paying off some past overpayments. They told me it's Sox days for DWP to process but I rang everyday to be safe, on 8th DWP debt man said they'd done ass the ones sent on second and mine wasn't there so back on the phone to pip who said they definitely sent it on 2nd but to be safe they'd send it again and mark it urgent 🙄. I rung DWP everyday, sometimes twice a day, and the people I spoke to were always as helpful as they could be and would let me know what referals days their team are working on. On Tuesday they told me they had the money, discussed how much would be coming to me (more than I expected) and arranged a same day special refund that had to be approved by the manager, otherwise it'd have been another 5working says for the refund. Hope this helps.