Interview under caution: using my PIP money to pay for a personal trainer

System
System Posts: 222 Online Community Programme Lead
edited April 2023 in Everyday life

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Comments

  • Hellsbells76_
    Hellsbells76_ Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hi , I’m new and need advice if possible. 
    I’ve read your posts about being disabled and going to a gym etc 

    I’ve got to attend a interview under caution about my pip . 

    I think it could be to do with me using my PIP money to pay for a personal trainer as I’ve just had a donated cartilage in my knee and my surgeon recommended I strengthen my muscles to help with my recovery . 

    I phoney up DWP in feb 22 to inform them of my knee op and the person on the end of the phone was very rude and told me they didn’t need to know so I couldn’t say about me being advised from my surgeon . 

    I was awaiting to hear back from my renewal form which I sent off July 21 I still hadn’t heard nov 22 so rang again as I had other issues arised in the last 16 months so contacted DWP again and asked to do a change of circumstances form . 
    Sent back and got a phone call with an assessor and sent in my evidence I got awarded again the same and I told them about the PT etc and then I received this letter !!!!!!!


    sorry for the long post ! 

    I’m so worried and it’s not helping my mental health . 

    I can’t get representation so going on my own .

    I need to be prepared .
    Has anyone got any advice please? 
  • Hellsbells76_
    Hellsbells76_ Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hello , this is my first post . 

    I’ve been receiving DlA then PIP since 2011 . 
    I used to work part time and get these benefits.
    I have since been retired on ill health at the age of 38 which was heartbreaking but had to put my health first .

    my pip review came through July 2021 I sent it off it ran out March 22 .
    I heard nothing for over 15 months .

    I rang up DWP in feb 22 to see where I was in the process and to inform them of a knee operation that would be happening at some point which I’d been advised to do strength exercises to help in my recovery after the op . 

    The DWP person was very rude and said they didn’t need to know about operations!

    I then had a few more medical issues so rang again to see where I was in the process about May time still waiting !

    by Nov I decided I was going to do a change of circumstances forms which I did , sent off relevant paperwork etc 

    Had a phone call Dec to say my phone assessment would be Jan 23 then I had the assessors report back and waited. 

    I had my letter end of feb saying I’d got enchanted on both again and for a bit longer than the assessor had said.

    To then out the blue get a letter saying I need to go to this interview under caution as they believe I might not of Informed them of a coc !!!!

    I can’t get represented in my area as no one does it , so going on my own Wednesday. 

    I can only guess it’s about going to the PT sessions which I paid for for my strengthening as advised. 

    I have a letter to confirm this !!!

    Has anyone else been in this situation please and can give me some advice .

    many thanks 



  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi there @Hellsbells76_ and thanks for reaching out to the online community :) To help our members see your posts and share their thoughts, I've just put them together so it's easier to find replies all in one place!

    Does the letter give you a date for the interview at all? 
  • Hellsbells76_
    Hellsbells76_ Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Yes it’s this Wednesday. 

    I have done the ringing CAB , solicitors and other organisations. 
    But unfortunately apart from reading a document on how to deal with an interview under caution they can’t help me anymore . 

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    This is really frustrating @Hellsbells76_. Would you like to tell us a little more about how you are feeling at the moment and if anything would help? Sending you hugs, you deserve support  <3
  • Hellsbells76_
    Hellsbells76_ Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hi , I went to the interview and feel like I was being discriminated because I was attending a gym as advised by 2 health professionals and the DWP think because I can sit on a stationary bike ( which is low impact) I can do everything that someone without disabilities can do ! 
    They have no idea the amount of painkillers I have to take just to go and then after that session I’m done in for the rest of the day but it helps me keep as mobile as I can and I go for my mental health.

    They seen me pick up a lite IT suitcase and asked why I didn’t wheel it ! Probably because it’s lite and if I’d wheeled it that made me bend to pull up the handle and it could move away from me on wheels and make me fall !!!!

    I need some advice as I really feel I’ve been backed into a corner and a lot was speculation plus they had a photo that wasn’t even me .

    And they said really is that not you  ????
    yes really that’s not me . 

    So fed up and my mental health is absolutely shot . I’m so depressed. 

    I’m awaiting an outcome 6-7 weeks but I feel I need to send a statement me now I’ve had time to process what was said to me ! 


  • rebel11
    rebel11 Online Community Member Posts: 1,687 Pioneering
    edited April 2023
    Can you get a letter from your Doctor / and 2 HP to say the exercise would help your overall health?

    Then see if your local CAB office can provide help to put together a reasoned statement that can be sent to the DWP.  
  • Hellsbells76_
    Hellsbells76_ Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    I can get letters . 

    I don’t know if I’m allowed to send a statement in after the interview under caution . 

    I couldn’t take anyone with me because where I live the CAB and welfare office didn’t have anyone to come with me so I’m not sure if the process .

    I was shocked and stunned so didn’t say much to stick up for myself . 

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    edited April 2023
    Hi @Mungo to reply to a post without selecting quote, move down to the bottom of the page, and click in the 'Type your comment' box underneath 'Leave a Comment'. Does that make sense?
  • rebel11
    rebel11 Online Community Member Posts: 1,687 Pioneering
    edited April 2023
    Fill in a few details, there should be an advice centre near you -

    https://www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice-individuals/find-legal-advice-clinic-near-you

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