Hey everyone,
I originally was awarded PIP in 2013 for my hip and back injuries, job centre actually advised me to claim it as I'd never heard of it. Anyway, since that decision, my pain increased, mobility decreased and finally got diagnosed with two chronic illnesses on top of my injuries. I was called for a reassessment summer 2016 and my payments were stopped in August 2016. Based on advice from
other women with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, I called PIP & told them I would be reapplying, some of my medication had changed and I felt my form needed to be more thorough. I was called for another face to face assessment in October 2016 and I still didn't have a decision in January 2017, so I called them & they said they'd sent me a decision notice in October 2016, so they reposted it. Anyway, the documents arrived and I took it to Citizens Advice as I wanted to appeal. They told me it was a mandatory reconsideration, that I hadn't asked for! So, I appealed that, the paperwork came through in March, then a problem occurred, I noticed that nothing had come of my latest claim and assessment. PIP only realised their mistake when they were gathering my appeal papers and sent the newest decision, I was scored under again. So I now had to appeal that decision too! The judges clerk contacted me & acknowledged that PIP made a mistake and the judge would see me for both appeals at the same hearing, but we couldn't set a date until the newest appeal papers came through. I sent m my SSCS1 form to them in May, I knew it had been signed for and just waited. Spoke to my representative at citizens advice who agreed it was taking too long and called the tribunal service who told him that only the first appeal was ready to list. He asked me to contact the Appeal service and chase up the paperwork for appeal 2. When I contacted them, the man I spoke with told me that they received my SSCS1 form 4th May 2017, but that nothing was done with it because in their eyes, I'm appealing against PIP and it doesn't matter if I have more appeal papers. I was so angry, the court and my representative both told me I need that paperwork. So I've been waiting and waiting and they never intended on sending anything. Anyway, the judge has asked them to go ahead and list my appeal for a date because he's sick of waiting (as am I), it's an average 24 weeks for tribunal in my area. I've never been so stressed about anything ever in my life.
A few weeks ago, I had my blue badge assessment with my local councils occupational therapist, she was lovely, commended me on my thorough application form and she said she was treating me as an individual, she stoped our appointments after around 15 minutes and decided that I meet all of the criteria required for a blue badge and although she couldn't say there and then thatnim getting one, that I shouldn't worry because in her eyes it will be approved. This was such a relief, but it begs the question, how can I be denied PIP and awarded a blue badge?!
So it's just a waiting game now, In the meantime, I need to gather as much evidence as possible. Suggestions welcome.
That was a relief to get it off my chest.
thanks for reading
