PIP/DLA

[Ann1-74]

Hi all

I’m a silent stalker on this site. Prefer reading all posts & very rarely comment.

Today is a difficult day. I have my appeal hearing tomorrow for PIP & DLA.

Someone made an allegation that I was claiming the benefit fraudulently.

I lost 2 appeals & now have my final appeal hearing.

They had footage of me doing shopping. No aid. I was with my shopping buddy.

Went shopping for Charity Appeal. Sending Aid to Syria Pregnant Women in 2018. I raised £500. I had a good night & morning that day so asked if I could tag along.

DWP are saying that I should of notified them. My argument is I have good hours not days. My Condition fluctuates, however it’s not stated in the form that the Behcets Support Worker filled in. Every form after that I have stated my condition fluctuates.

I’m just so stressed. My mental health has been the worst these few years due to stress.

Is it worth me going to hearing or should I stay home & let them make a decision?

What to do?

[Legomum]

I think communication is key.

If you are able to explain your condition to the panel/ experts making a decision then far better than them just reading reports.

We are all unique: your pattern of Behçet’s will be very different to the next person. Some have more of a mouth & genital ulcer predominant pattern, some have severe neuro-Behçet’s or vascular picture with clots. As it is such a rare disease, even GPs will not have a “classic case” in mind, so only by meeting patients and hearing from them can they build a genuine picture of your daily life and what is disabling and what is not.

We all as patients learn lots on this forum and respond in different ways but that panel would not have met many with Behçet’s, if any. I would hate to not be able to work. Others would love to have their workplace adapted more and it is only by discussing with occupational health and others that changes can be made to suit an individual. If you were successful in raising money for a charity, there may be volunteer roles or even a rewarding job out there to suit you but teams and systems (workplace and social care etc) will need to understand and accommodate to the challenges of Behçet’s disease and how unpredictable it can be. Being able to demonstrate that you attend your doctors’ appointments and follow all advice given all helps them understand those challenges so I would definitely attend to give your perspective on your individual case and experience.

[Juliauk10]

Good luck with your appeal hearing 🤗

[kevinmitchell]

I dreaded my appeal and was convinced it would go against me but it went ok. It was a telephone call with a doctor and a judge , just listen to questions and try and relate how Behçets affects you. Good luck

[lesleyg in reply to kevinmitchell]

Just logged in to wish you well and it looks like things went all right. I agree so much with leggomum - we all have our good and bad days. Has the Judge told you the ruling yet?

[kevinmitchell in reply to lesleyg]

I don’t think Ann1-74 will get the decision for a few days or weeks but I wish them well as that limbo is yet another unnecessary stress

[Juliauk10]

Hi, how did the hearing go? Hope it wasn’t too stressful 🤗

[Ottawagurl]

Hope the hearing went In your favor

[Juliauk10]

Hi

Does anyone know how the poster is or heard from them?