PIP review delay. Mobility element sent to me by accident instead of Motability

mohawk

Hoping for some advice please.
I have several chronic illnesses including a brain tumour and I'm on chemo. I've had to give up working after breaking my back, lost my husband to cancer when he was 41, lost my personal independence but I have freedom (albeit limited) with my Motability car to get me about and take me to my many hospital appointments. I only explain the above to give credence to why my car is so important. It is the last part of 'me' I have left as such.

My PIP claim (after claiming for 16 years) came for review in June 21. I sent my renewal in time 2 weeks before deadline and got proof of postage with signed for delivery (I had previously been 'stung' and had a claim cancelled when the form was aherm 'lost' by DWP under DLA).

3 weeks later received letter stating my claim had been stopped due to non-receipt of renewal form. I immediately rang the helpline and waited on phone 2 hrs 40 mins to get through to DWP (there is also no indication on the phone of how many people are ahead of you or potential wait time.) When I eventually got through an adviser stated that my form hadn't been received in time. I mentioned I had date stamped proof of postage. This was noted and I offered to send them a copy. I was told it was not needed and the Post Office were at fault. Then I was told actually my form had been received 4 days late and was with a decision maker. A decision would be made soon (I had no doubt it would be accepted due to my chronic ill health and pages of hospital evidence to certify my claims.)

4 weeks later still no response, so 2 hours of waiting on the phone I spoke to a different adviser who stated he could see a decision had been made to allow a continuation of my claim. I clarified I hadn't received an awards letter. He stated he could see one hadn't been sent and he was unable to do so as he wasn't the decision maker but rest assured any benefits due would be paid.

2 months later my Motability car was due for renewal. Upon enquiring I was informed I was unable to get a new lease due to the arrears I owed? It appears that a mistake had occurred and the mobility element had  been paid directly to me instead of Motability. I now owed them £732. I explained my predicament that I didn't know anything about this and was granted a 3 month extension to sort out paying the arrears.

I admit I had noticed an increase in my PIP payment when it was paid. This may be naïve but I just took as as an increase in my award due to the severity of my illnesses. I hadn't received any award letter stating how much I would receive. My son had just turned 21 and I owed my mum some money so the increase I had received over those few months had been spent. Had I actually realised the Motability element had been sent to me for the first time ever instead of Motability I would have immediately rectified the situation, or at least saved the money.

So now I had 3 months to save up £732 or I would not be able to renew my lease on my car. I can't begin to tell you how difficult this has been. I barely have enough to cover my expenses. I could kick myself (if I could) for being so short sighted. So although I admit to receiving the money I had no idea it should have gone to Motability. I have ended up taking a high interest loan to pay off the extra money I couldn't save up. I've had so much stress and anxiety with sleepless nights thinking about losing my one line of independence.

I know it sound like an over reaction but I lost my career through illness, lost my dignity when I couldn't look after myself properly, lost my husband and soul mate to cancer. Now I would have to rely on public transport (taxis) and my 88 yr old mother (not good) to take me for my many, many appointments, scans, blood tests and chemo at the different hospitals. I am under the care of the brilliant Christie hospital but it takes an hour by car to get there.

I feel let down by the DWP on a number of occasions. Stating they hadn't received my claim renewal, not notifying me of my actual award, 'overpaying me' the mobility element, plus the stress and anxiety waiting for letters to arrive, making phone calls and eventually the financial burden of paying 'arrears' before I can renewal my lease, my one last lifeline to independence.

Sorry for my passion. I just feel like a fool.

Has anyone any advice or had this problem. It would be much appreciated.

Merry Christmas

mohawk

Thanks for your advice x I know I owe Motability the money that was paid to me instead of Motability. I have no issue with paying them what they're owed. It's just with so little money to spare, if I had known that an error had occurred I would have rectified it myself and not inadvertently used the money.

When my claim was eventually processed I was paid a lump sum of arrears for my PIP payment and with hindsight I should have checked it more thoroughly and divided the total by the number of missing weeks. At the time I was just relieved to be paid as I had borrowed money from my 88 year old mum due to the number of weeks without money, and I was anxious to repay her as soon as possible. I just feel silly that I didn't realise the mobility element had been paid to me for the first time ever. 

Merry Christmas all

wilko

a a phone cal
 to DWP once you noticed the increase in you PIP award payments would have brought the matter to your attention and the three months of no payment to the mobility lease would not have happened. Partly your own fault , but do Perdue the DWP for wrongly paying you and not the mobility lease company as previously done for the last few years.