Hi, my name is TFN! I applied for PIP in January

TFN

Hi to all of you lovely people!!! I applied for PIP in January cause of osteoarthritis in my upper body and hands and unable to work anymore at 65  I had my telephone assessment on 23/06/22. I received a text yesterday to say that I was awarded PIP I was over the moon until I rang the today . My award is 11 points the standard rate. but won't receive any money apparently cause I live in supported accommodation, but it's basic support that we get e.g pull cords or button in case of emergency. We do have an online manager but he isn't here 24/7, he's mainly  here 8 hours a day 5 days a week. But he is there for emergency like an accident or fire or if we need any  advice etc. And he is there for maintenance of the gardens and repairs but not for personal care or nursing we don't get any of those services unless the social services puts it in place. When I spoke to this girl from DWP on the phone I told her that I don't receive any care whatsoever only from a good friend of 47 who is like a daughter to me she cooks my food and chops things up for me as I find it difficult to do with my arthritic hands. She's an angel!!! So after speaking to her I spoke to CAB lovely lady and she said how can you be awarded something but not get any money which was exactly my question. After her looking into it in respect of supported/sheltered accommodation and PIP she rang me back and said the only reason why I wouldn't get it is if I was in an old people's home cause there I would receive all the care and support necessary. She said that's what the DM is thinking that I live in a home when it is independent living  she told me that there is a mistake here and that I wasn't to worry cause I have got the award and they can't take it off of me, and that this should be easily sorted and it shouldn't go to court. So I asked her if it would help for me to speak to a DM at DWP  that it was up to me but one of her colleagues would help me to challenge it. I have an appointment for 19/07/22 with another lady from CAB which I'm pleased about. However I did ring DWP to look at the decision again and I received a text to confirm that it will be looked at again and that it would take another twelve weeks for a decision. I was advised to get some evidence from the housing association to support that I don't receive any kind of personal care or nursing care. I will ring them tomorrow. So once I get the letter I will send it to them. I'm just wondering if anybody else has had this problem? If so what was the outcome? Please do let me know I'm living on my verves with all of this🙂

TFN

Hi 
CAB just said it was up to me if I felt I should ring  them, to do so. DWP didn't say that it's a mandatory reconsideration. I just got a text to say that 'you asked us to look at our recent pip decision' we will write to you once we've done this, that I will hear from them it could take 12 weeks.

Sue_Alumni

Good morning @TFN and I'm pleased that Citizens Advice were able to help you.  The text you got from the DWP was them acknowledging the fact that you had contacted them and had asked for them to look at the their decision again - this is called requesting a mandatory reconsideration.  There will be a bit of a wait for the DWP's decision called the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.  In the meantime send them evidence that you live in supported accommodation and not a care home and that you are therefore entitled to PIP.  

TFN

Hi Biblioklept
I have just spoke to my housing association the department BWise and yes they are writing a letter to say that I'm not in residential care and that i don't have any care component, that department has all the knowledge about benefits and they reassured me that I will receive the money for PIP phew, they said the same as me that the DWP can't give you an award and not pay you, they have to where I'm not living in residential care and not receiving care and that I definately will receive the payment. She did also say that they may realise that they've made an error and to look every day on my online banking which I will be Doing!!!

calcotti

TFN said:..they said the same as me that the DWP can't give you an award and not pay you, ..

That isn’t correct. You could be awarded but would not be paid it if in a care home or hospital. In your case you are entitled to be and it appears to be a misunderstanding by DWP (don’t know where they got the idea from!).

TFN

Hi Sue and thank you, I've done as you've advised as soon as I get a letter I I will send it to DWP, then hopefully it should be sorted soon!! I don't think they realise when things like this happen what stress we all go through with the assessment alone and then to add the waiting time, I suffer with a nervous disposition anyway and then when things go wrong, I'm like noddy lol head and hands shaking and for most people the unknown is the worst!! But I must add, before I became a member here I have done alot of reading on PIP on this site and its so very helpful and you don't feel so alone, fantastic site and what lovely people you all are!!! Imagine back in the day we didn't have this technology that must have been a lonely place and so distressing  with different things for the elderly back then!! So we can count ourselves lucky!! Thank god for technology!!!

TFN

I will keep you all posted as to what happens with my PIP 🙂  take care all!!🙂

TFN

And thank you to you all for the advice and comments🙂