My PIP payment has been taken away

Lox
Lox Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener

Hi,

so I have been on PIP basic living for 3 or 4 years and my case came up for review. I filled out the forms in March of 2024 and had my assessment call on 7th of August 2025. I had my doctors call the week before the assessment and sent a letter from my integrative practitioner the week before too.

The call itself was awful. I had my partner and integrative practitioner with me for the call. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly focus on filling the form and not listening to me. I have no idea what she wrote down or heard. I had to take a break and still had a panic attack on the call. She had to take a break and talk to her supervisor. It was a traumatising experience all round. The assessor threatened to have to do this all again if we couldn't get through the form.

I received a letter on the 21st of August, dated the 13th of August, telling me why they took my pip away. The letter is full of lies and misrepresentation. I know I need to get the ball rolling on mandatory reconsideration and I plan to visit citizens information tomorrow. I'm terrified to get in touch with them myself at this point. I have had to appeal when I originally got my pip so I'm kinda familiar with the process but I'm also aware of how quickly things are changing. I have started making notes on a copy of their letter and have gathered as much of my paperwork as I can. I really struggle mentally and feel I am undiagnosed neurodivergant. I would really appreciate any help, tips or support anyone can provide 🙏 Thanks in advance

Comments

  • bg844
    bg844 Online Community Member Posts: 3,923 Championing

    See the link below for expert, independent advice.

    https://advicelocal.uk/

  • Lox
    Lox Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener

    Thank u :) I appreciate it

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 3,672 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Lox this might be helpful to have a read through as well 😊 - Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK

  • Lox
    Lox Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener

    Thank u :) I have been reading thro as much as I can process. I probably will have to try get a time extension as it took a week for the letter to get to me and I need time to gather support and myself xx thank u for the links 🙏 I really appreciate u both

  • randomlygenerated
    randomlygenerated Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Advicelocal is a good shout - I knew I needed the extra support so rather than going with Citizens Advice, I was lucky enough to find a local welfare & benefits advocacy charity that assigned me a case worker who helped me with everything start to finish. They mostly help disabled people and help with appeals - mentioning to give you advice of what you could look for. It's a big load off to have support of someone specialising in this every step of the way.

    Also: Did you request that the assessment is recorded? Be aware you have a right to.

    Further links:

    https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/challenging-a-personal-independence-payment-pip-decision/options-for-challenging-a-pip-decision

    There was another site somewhere with a list of local pro-bono solicitors and legal advice charities dealing with cases like this but I can't find it at the moment.

    Also hang in there and don't let them get to/bully you. The standard of service when dealing with benefits is completely all over the place - you got unlucky with a bad assessor. Not all of them are like that. You're not in the wrong.