Screaming for help!

gussiefinknottle1 · June 20

I received my PIP review and requested a mandatory reconsideration, as I had been awarded standard rates of both personal care and mobility. I believed, and still do that I should have been awarded the higher rate mobility component.

I have now received a letter regarding my mandatory reconsideration this morning, the 12th of June and they are sticking with the standard rates for both care and mobility.

“ we have used what you told us and all of the available evidence to make our decision”

there is no evidence, I was unable to provide any as I have not seen any specialist in my disorder for a number of years.

“we have reviewed the evidence including the assessment report”

I have not been assessed by anyone in person or on the phone so how could there be a report?

I still disagree with the mobility allowance I have been awarded, and I now I have had time to think about this, I now believe I should qualify for an increased award of the personal care component

I have no choice but to take this to the next stage and take it to tribunal, however I have no support.

I did reach out earlier this year to a benefits advisor for help with both my transition of housing benefit to UC housing element and my mandatory reconsideration as these happened at the same time, however the advisor was of no benefit whatsoever, starting with a complete lack of interest in my PIP claim and also getting the figures wrong regarding my transition from housing benefit to UC housing element despite my giving her all of the correct information. The figures were wrong, as a result I have no confidence in the organisation that was supposed to help with benefits advice.

Also registering with the DWP to make a challenge to this decision is going to be extremely difficult as I cannot use public transport and have no access to private transport therefore getting to any appointments with benefits advisors is going to prove very demanding physically, mentally and financially given the limited time I have to do this. And as I was told some years ago going forward with a challenge to benefits decisions without support is unlikely to be successful you can imagine what this is doing to me.

I need help.

Ranald · June 20

What have your local CAB to say about it? They have trained benefits advisers that you can make an appointment to see.

gussiefinknottle1 · June 20

I’m reluctant to contact them because it was them who mucked up the UC transition earlier this year and they gave me and my OH duff advice years ago about UC when it was first being rolled out that we saw through and didn’t follow through.

Unfortunately I’m probably going to have to give in anyway because I couldn’t contact them today because it was too late. In the meantime the clocks ticking and I’ve only got 3 weeks from today to deal with it.

Monday morning I’ve got to try and get an appointment with the CAB and contact my GP about the referral to the neurological rehab team I requested as they’re the only ones who can do any reports to support my claim.

gussiefinknottle1 · June 21

I thought that occurred to me as I need someone who is a benefits advisor and knows what they’re doing to read everything I wrote on the original review form, it’s possible that they can see exactly where the flaws are with the points awarded by the DWP, if I could find somebody who can do this and support me through the tribunal. I might actually get the increased awards that I qualify for.

Trevor_PIP · June 21

@gussiefinknottle1 a Mandatory Reconsideration rarely changes the original decision, it is nothing personal to you. You will need to appeal now. Is this a first time claim? You could have had a paper based assessment, as you have sent in enough information for the DWP to make a decision and you would not be contacted! What has been stated in your responses from the DWP are standard responses. It will be a standard letter that goes to all. The appeal process can be up to one year. I can't advise you on what to do, that is up to you and what you think you should have been awarded. Personally I would just accept their offer to save a lot of hassle, but that is me. Best of luck with your PIP claim!

gussiefinknottle1 · June 22

hi Trevor, I’ve been on PIP for about 10 years now on the standard rates and have secondary progressive MS. In the 10 years I’ve only had one face to face at the beginning and two telephone calls all three times awarded me the same rates but at increasing times.

But I’ve deteriorated over the last 18 months and my mobility has got considerably worse and my overall health including COPD has also declined I’ve also developed other conditions. My mental health is not doing well as my own health has got worse and my partner of nearly 40 years was diagnosed with a blood cancer which can’t be cured with chemotherapy it can only at best prevent it from getting worse at least till it doesn’t, which means he’s now got a life limiting disease. In addition he’s likely to have an autistic spectrum disorder which is undiagnosed and I’m struggling with his needs.

How much more do I have to take?

Trevor_PIP · 6:26AM

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1040236#Comment_1040236

Thanks for the reply. I fully understand now. You will need to appeal. You obviously need help with this and a benefits advisor is the person you need. Unfortunately I can't help here as I did all the PIP form filling myself. There have been replies on this forum where you can find out if there is a Benefits Advisor in your area, but I can't remember the detail, maybe @Rosie_Scope can help here.

Holly_Scope · 11:34AM

Hi @gussiefinknottle1 really sorry to hear about your CAB experience. You could try Advicelocal or Turn2us benefits advisor services.

Screaming for help!

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