Called by DWP before my appeal date

Wondercity

Hi everyone. I’ve been reading through this site for the last few months but haven’t posted yet. I thought it might be good to share my experience of my pip appeal journey.

So, I had DLA originally and now on PIP for a couple of years or so - whenever it all changed over. Probably 12 years total award. I have always had standard daily living and enhanced mobility. Or the DLA equivalent. I got stuck in the backlog of pip reviews for a couple of years but finally in July 2024 I had a video call review. I think we all dislike these, I’m no exception. I was glad it was over. However in August I had a letter to say that I now had zero points on every single point. So they stopped my award. Panic set in but I had some help from my local CAB and I applied for the mandatory reconsideration. This took around 12 weeks to process but the DWP stuck with zero points on all. Really upset at this point, so much so that I was only able to manage to get my appeal in on the final day they allow (officially 1 month from MR decision). It is so much stress for us all to go through these steps. Big sigh. I was able to log in online at this point to see the progress of the appeal and how long DWP had to put their response in to the court. Seems like it’s more of an advisory as that day came and went, it was the 6th of January 2025. I put this down to it having been Christmas but yesterday I thought I would call them to see if there is any update. Turns out I didn’t need to because they called me. 14th Jan an advisor from DWP called to say that they are reinstating my award to what it was previously, because they can see there has been no change. Obviously I’m really pleased, but what a huge fuss for everyone involved. I think of the time and money they could save by not going through what seems like an unnecessary process, rather than trying to cut vulnerable individuals payments. I really didn’t have all that much evidence to send with my appeal, I didn’t have the energy to gather it, so I sent the same things in, it was very little information and it really was all the same - as the advisor said yesterday. So this further cements my view that there are some big flaws in the review system if I get kicked out and let back in all on the same evidence.

But, it’s good news thankfully. I’m very grateful to be on this side of the decision. I can’t confirm what the advisor told me is correct as it hasn’t happened yet but I was told that I will get a letter in the next 7 to 10 days confirming what the award now is. He did talk about back dating the money from August but I don’t remember how long he said that would take. I was in shock on the phone and have forgotten!
I expect it will be on the letter I get in a week or so.

I wish everyone the best with their reviews / appeals etc. I really want to acknowledge how this had a profound negative impact on my health, so if you are feeling this too, I completely understand, but chin up! Keep fighting for yourself and your rights.

Holly_Scope

You have been put through it @Wondercity. I'm pleased it's sorted and I'm sure members of the community will benefit from you sharing - thank you.

poppy123456

That's great news! For future reference when requesting the MR or Tribunal, you actually have 13 months to request those and not the 1 month like they advise you. If you're outside of that 1 month you need to give a reason why you didn't request it within that time.