DWP slow-walking my back-payments and award upgrade following a successful appeal...

PeeJayEmm

Hi. I could do with some advice. I think the claim manager dealing with my case is dragging out the process of implementing the judgement of the tribunal in my recently successful PIP appeal.

They phoned me and asked me the payability questions, and assured me the award would be implemented within about a week. Then, a week later, I got a letter telling me they were applying for a Statement of Reasons from the HMCTS. The HMCTS provided the SOR within about a week, which I really appreciated because I understand that can often take much longer. Anyway, the deadline by which DWP can apply to challenge the SOR over an error in law passed several weeks ago.

I waited a while, and called the HMCTS to check if they'd received an application from DWP. They had not. I called DWP repeatedly to ask for updates and a clear explanation of the status of my case. I was unable to get a straight answer out of anyone there.

Every time I phoned, I spoke to a new person, and was sometimes put through to the appeals team. Every time, the people on the phone struggled to get a response out of the claims manager handling my claim. They simply would not respond. After several attempts one person promised to chase it up and phone me back the next day.

She did so over a week ago, and told me she'd spoken to the claim manager; the appeal had been approved and they are ready to process my new award and backdated payments. She then asked me the payability questions (again) and assured me the backdated payments would be in my account "within five working days" and a new award letter would follow "within 10 working days".

Having already been asked those payability questions once to no avail, I've not had much confidence it would actually go through. Sure enough over five days later, the payments are still not in place, and when I call the line and it gives the amount of my next PIP payment the amount is the same as it has been previously (ie : the upgrade in my award has not been processed).

Today I wrote to my MP to ask if they can escalate the matter as this is putting me under seemingly unending torment. I feel that the claim manager is intentionally slow-walking the process, and feeding the people on the DWP phone line nonsense.

I'm at a loss for what more I can do. I am really struggling for money and the constant uncertainty, and the apparent back and forth of being told it is going through, then it isn't, then it is, then it isn't, is mentally exhausting.

What else can I do to encourage them to process my tribunal judgement?

poppy123456

That's ridiculous! I was going to advise you too contact your local MP, which I see you have. Fingers crossed they will contact them on your behalf, this does usually get things moving rather quickly. Other than that you've done everything you can do, as frustrating as that is. I hope you have good news soon and receive the money that's owed.

PeeJayEmm

Thank you for that, Poppy.

I am writing an update here. I really need help with this; I'm totally confused.

I got another call yesterday, from a man calling himself "John".

The man from DWP who phoned me today confirmed my appeal was accepted, they'd investigated the statement of reasons and found it was all in order and were happy to release the funds. They even gave an amount, and it was in line with what is expected.

They told me the money will be in my account by wednesday next week at the latest.

He told me I'd receive a letter shortly after.

I asked him why I'd received a similar call the week before (without them giving an amount) telling me to expect the money in five working days, and the letter in ten working days; He said he couldn't explain that, but that everything was now fully in order and the money will be on its way.

It all sounded very plausible.

But then I asked for his name... He said again "John"... I waited for the surname, but he never gave it... I hinted that I'd like the surname... But he prevaricated... He said "Oh, my name will be on the letter when it arrives... So you don't need to write it down now". Stupidly I didn't push him for a surname. But thinking about that part of the call has made me question the entire call. I think I'm being messed around. I fear people in the office are taking turns telling me "the money is coming" with no intention of actually sending it.

I want to believe it is real. But this is the third time.

PeeJayEmm

(I said today there because I haven't slept due to worrying : It was yesterday)

lifetough23

Hi @PeeJayEmm I really am feeling similar symptoms to you ! Really feel for you x I waited 17 months for a tribunal in July and they requested statement of reasons in August and still waiting now for them to receive the statement of reasons, really hope you get it very soon xx

PeeJayEmm

Hello everyone. I know what it is like to read threads like this and not get a definitive result at the end. So, I wanted to let you know that this all worked out fine in the end. The DWP exhausted their options, and then after slow-walking for a few weeks, they accepted the Tribunal result, upgraded my award, and paid all of the outstanding PIP from previous years.

It was an incredibly stressful period of waiting, where I was basically pulling my hair out, but it is thankfully all over.

In all this has been a seven year process. The last two of which were an intensive war against an intransigent DWP. In the end the weight of evidence on my side won. But it wasn't easy.

If you are going through similar difficulties with DWP, please keep going. I was so close to giving up at so many points. I'm so glad I didn't. Keep fighting.

Rosie_Scope

Thanks so much for updating us @PeeJayEmm. that sounds like a massively frustrating journey. Seven years is a long time to be fighting so well done for getting through it all!

I'm really glad you got it sorted in the end and I know others will be pleased to read that it all worked out alright.