Possible pip overpayment, scared, wrong descriptor

kami84

Hello dear Forum Moderators!

The assessor scored me 11 points for daily living. (Previously had an enhanced rate)And 10 points for mobility. I didn't have any mobility points on my previous award.

Yesterday I found out that they tried to call me but I changed Sims in my phone so I never answered their phone calls!:(

 I will get back payment for mobility component. And I am awarded standard mobility rate (but due to psychological reasons).  I have to say that I was happy, altough now I have some serious doubts.

 I told the assessor that I can not go to places that I don't know without assistance. And I told her that I stay at home a lot. 

She has marked that I can not go anywhere because of severe psychological distress. I was telling her that I don't go out due to my physical health problems and she marked that I can't go out anywhere because of being psychologically overwhelmed. 

instead of ticking descriptor D she has chosen descriptor E. She mentions that my medical evidence I had sent points to this  but it's not true. My evidence clearly states that I go out but I need some help with unfamiliar journeys. 

 I should have scored points for descriptor D. But she gave me points for descriptor E. 

 I don't want to be accused of cheating or benefit fraud. 

I don't want PIP to become my prison now. I don't want them to tell me that they overpayed me. 

I was planning on going to a University and at the same time keep my pip. I don't want them to take it away from me thinking that I lied to them.  

I'm seriously scared now of going to Uni because maybe they will accuse me of fraud. Since my report states I'm only at home and can not go out anywhere due to overwhelming psychological distress. 

I also live in a difficult situation with neighbours where they harass me so staying in all the time is not good for me. 

In this situation where I feel that PIP will stop me from going to University because it's reported that I don't go out due to being psychologically overwhelmed. I don't think the money would be worth it! 

I seriously don't want them to turn and say I commited a fraud when it was the assessor mistake. 

What should I do in this kind of situation especially since I was planning to go to Uni.  How do I awoid loosing benefit and being accused of a fraud?

 

Should I call them and ask for Mandatory reconsideration because of that? Usually people do that if they want more money in my case descriptor is wrong. 

Should I report change of circumstances that now I can go out? 

Should I tell them that assessor made a clear mistake? 

What should I do with something like this without getting in trouble? 

chiarieds

Hi @kami84 - in this case it doesn't matter that you've had points for descriptor e rather than d as for both it's 10 points, so no harm done. Also remember that PIP is about how you are the majority of days, but certainly not them all.

We have had other members say that they've been awarded some points which they weren't expecting, but weren't awarded others that they thought were relevant. Overall, if they felt they had got points which resulted in an award that did reflect their current level of difficulty, then all was well.

As you say, the assessor made a mistake, not you, but it hasn't changed the number of points you got for this component. If in the future things improve for you such that you feel you shouldn't have a standard award for mobility, of course then you should notify the DWP.

kami84

Hello, thank you for an answer. The problem is what will I do if my course at the Uni is full time? Then IT WILL MEAN that for majority of days I can go to school, that I am active (fulltime course). And this is how they will see it. What should I do call them and tell them? Because if I go to university then for majority of days I WILL BE OUT. And that's how they will see it. I had a friend in similar situation but with ESA and she lost all her benefits due to the fact that she went for a full time course. 

I don't want PIP that become my prison as it defeats the purpose. 

I told her that I'm unwell but it doesn't mean that I can't go out. 

I was also thinking that it's the same amount of points but is this true. 

Yes, it was her making a mistake but I think legally it's my responsibility even though she's made a mistake. I don't know, I already feel I become prisoner to this. 

chiarieds

You must do as you feel best of course. Are you thinking of starting Uni soon? Do you know yet if it will be full time? Perhaps finding out more about your Uni plans first would be an idea. Until then your current award seems correct (as far as the points go).

You can see the points for confirmation here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

kami84

Hello I just got PIP decision letter, it specifically says that I reported that I can't go out of the house. I am calling them now. University I wanted full time. And I don't want PIP to stop me from doing that. Actually she should have ticked the right descriptor from the start. 

kami84

The award is correct as far as the points I agree. But not as far as descriptors maybe. I don't want them to turn around and say I commited fraud. 

poppy123456

kami84 said:

She has marked that I can not go anywhere because of severe psychological distress. I was telling her that I don't go out due to my physical health problems and she marked that I can't go out anywhere because of being psychologically overwhelmed. 

Are you claiming for mental health as well as physical? or just physical?