PIP Backpay

ashes19

Hello Scope Community

I really hope someone can help please.

I recently appealed my PIP renewal decision and my carer received a call from DWP without going to tribunal over the engaging with others activity where my points have increased from 2 to 4. This has been backdated to June 2023 currently with an MR being submitted to potentially further backdate to 2019. The result of the extra 2 points is I have increased from standard daily living rate to enhanced daily living rate.

My latest PIP payment was paid at the new rate. However my backpay of around £2k is being held by debt management and has not been paid to me. I called debt management they informed me this is in relation to a £60 odd debt I owe DWP for a universal credit advance I took out.

I took out a £275 Universal Credit advance then after 9 payments I entered into a debt relief order and was advised by my DRO intermediary that I should include this advance in my DRO with £60 odd left to pay. UC stopped my repayments and there is a message in my UC account under advances saying I do not need to repay due to insolvency and the DRO intermediary advised this debt would be written off when my DRO completed in May 2024.

PIP refuse to pay me the £2k back pay as there is a debt marker against me for the UC advance and have referred the back pay to debt management. Debt Management informed me of the £60 odd UC advance debt as being the reason I cannot receive the £2k owed to me. I offered to pay the £60 odd via card payment over the phone to debt management but they refused to accept payment stating UC must approve that I can make the payment first.

I left a message on my UC journal explaining all of the above last Wednesday but UC have failed to respond.

I am at a loss, does anyone have any clue how this matter can be resolved as I am just being passed between PIP, Debt Management and UC with no resolution.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Best wishes

Paul

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @ashes19, this sounds like quite the stressful situation. How are you doing today?

I'm afraid I don't know much around the topic of debt and payment of benefits but it sounds silly that your backpay of a few thousand is being held back because of £60. Are you or your carer able to call and get into contact with your work coach at all?

If this doesn't move quickly I would see about getting your MP involved. You would be surprised at how quickly the DWP can sometimes move when an MP just asks what is going on!

ashes19

Hey Jimm_Scope

Thank you so much for your reply and taking the time to read about my situation. I hope things are going well for you personally currently. I am doing OK thanks but I find stress like this exacerbates my schizophrenia symptoms so I hope for a conclusion soon.

I don't have a work coach as such because I am in LCWRA group for UC so I am not required to work or attend the job centre. There is no work coach I am assigned to to contact as far as I understand?

Thanks for the advice regarding contacting my MP, I will consider this as a last resort although I have a brand new MP from the last election and no understanding of how helpful he is towards disability issues (my last one was hopeless and negative about disabled people)

Thank you once again for your support and interest. I will keep this thread updated with how things are progressing. Take care

Heather123

Hi, I'm new on here. However , I DEFINATELY SUGGEST CONTACTING YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR "...

I have had a "similar" experience regarding DWP and benefits. I was advised to e-mailed my local councillor with my information.

(Just copy-in your story from on here, stating you are seeking help from Scope).

I sent "my problem" to the local councillor for my area, who I had never met as I was new to that area.

I received an acknowledgement from the councillor to say she would contact DWP, with my issue.

Within 4 weeks I had my benefit re-instated and backdated!!!

You have nothing to loose. "Get in touch with them ASAP.

Regards,

Heather123.

ashes19

Thanks Heather123 also for your kind comments and advice. I can see from my bank account online the backpay is now being paid to tomorrow! A lot of worry from me over something which has now been resolved quickly thankfully!

Thanks again

Jimm_Alumni

Glad to hear it was resolved without needing to do too much! I hope there's a little something you can treat yourself with.