My son is autistic and has had his money stopped

milly1999

I would be grateful if someone could help. My son is autistic and has had his money stopped because he couldn't attend an appointment. I have appealed and tried to explain the reason why. But more or less been told tough. Thank you. 

Lasian_Scope

Hello @milly1999, welcome to the community.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. What type of payments was he getting?

Pippa_Scope

Hi @milly1999, and welcome! As Lasian says, it would be good to have some more information about this, and it would also be useful to know whether your appeal is ongoing at the moment, and if so what stage you are at now. Hopefully we'll be able to offer some input!

Yiman60

milly1999 said:

I would be grateful if someone could help. My son is autistic and has had his money stopped because he couldn't attend an appointment. I have appealed and tried to explain the reason why. But more or less been told tough. Thank you. 

Hi,
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/

You need to get help from either the NAS who will help with the appeal procedure , Citizens Advise , Wefare Benefits , there is normally some help from your Local Authority.

You need to explain the reason why he couldn’t attend this appointment , sleep issues , Demand Avoidance , the journey was difficult for him , or whatever the cause . You can also request a home visit , you need a letter from your GP or Consultant to state why he needs this .

I hope you get sorted at the first stage of appeal . 

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Yiman60

Totally agree . More information is required . It’s so frustrating that the system is so unfair for people with ASD .

This should help if he has been sanctioned . Make sure you have the names of the people you spoke to and keep all letters as evidence .

https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-10/Reasonable%20Adjustments-UPDATED_May2017_AH.pdf

mikehughescq

DannyMoore said:

Hi @milly1999,

If your son missed an appointment without giving an advanced notice this is probably a sanction. It doesn't matter why he missed the appointment, if someone misses an appointment they get sanctioned. I don't know whether he has to re-apply or be assessed for I haven't been sanctioned before.

A sanction isn't the same as been denied benefits, a sanction is more like an exclusion or being in detention money wise.

It’s true he will get a sanction. It’s not true that it doesn’t matter why he missed it. You argue “good cause” and get it through MR to appeal.