Moving from DLA to PIP

[DiscusB]

I suffer with heart and lung illness and have had the dreaded notice from DWP informing me that my DLA will end soon. Having read some of the posts from similar people on this site I don't feel quite alone anylonger and will take advice from my local CAB.

[Gillianl21]

I was refused PIP money with copd and diabetes earlier on this year. Reasons were I could stand (even though I have an injured ankle from over 15 years ago) and that I haven't been to hospital. Even though I've had an ambulance out 3 times. I didn't appeal as I thought it was a waste of time.

[andmikel in reply to Gillianl21]

Get in touch with Citizens Advice, appealing is the only way and letters from Doctors and any other expert who has dealings with monitoring your health and well being are helpful at the tribunal. DWP seem to turn away the majority of applications and depend on inertia or weariness of victims to meet their targets. A high proportion of appeals are successful.

[Gillianl21 in reply to andmikel]

Yes, I really should appeal. I know somebody who appealed and won. Smoked all her life and never worked. I've never smoked and always worked and she's just gone to Jamaica for 3 weeks with her partner and left her 8 year old son with one of her sons.

[tannie]

Good luck, my advice on going to an assessment is to Record everything said, also get the person who accompanies you to take notes. This way if you are refused you have your notes etc to back you up. I am glad I had my husband with me as he confirmed to my CR lady when she demanded a copy of the full assessment , that a lot of assessment was left out and some untrue, I am waiting for my appeal results. It has angered me that someone who sees you for half an hour thinks they can mend in 18 months ,what surgeons and doctors have been trying to do for 30 years. I say 18 months as this is when she said to reapply !!! So all the best

[Gillianl21 in reply to tannie]

Thank you, I wish I had written things down. Maybe next year as seems too late to appeal as the next one is april.

[stephne in reply to Gillianl21]

Gillian,i would appeal now and that way you will be in the system, I appealed and was awarded the higher rate which was more that the rate I was on,now I have a mobility car and I would be lost without it,if you are a driver now you can apply for a blue badge,mine was a god send

[Gillianl21 in reply to stephne]

Ok, thank you. I don't drive, my husband does. I injured my ankle over 15 years ago, but X-ray hasn't picked up anything so it's undiagnosed and the woman said I was not successful because I can walk.

[Gillianl21 in reply to Gillianl21]

Very painful though.

[footyfan in reply to Gillianl21]

You might be able to walk, bu t you should give detailed explaination as how you walk compared to a typical person, ie, length of time it takes , pain you experience, anxiety you feel , frustration you may feel at being less able than you were.

[Gillianl21 in reply to footyfan]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think I gave enough detail as its been 4 weeks and I haven't heard anything yet. My foot is feeling worse and with this cold weather I am coughing more and struggling to go up hills and of course the heating is on more so, will be an expensive gas bill.

[Offcut]

Remember to take in the new distance rule is now 20 meters not 50 as before. Never say on a good day only a better day. I have the "You do not look ill enough" But they do not fell like I do so have no idea how well I am?

[Huffnpuffer]

Hello DiscusB, I too have heart and lung problems, and have gone through the process of changing from DLA to PIP. Daunting, I know, but fill in your forms with how you are on the worst days, send photocopies of everything you have from doctors, hospital, physios etc, and get advice fom CAB or similar if you need to.

I was asked to attend an assessment locally even though I asked for a home assessment, but with help from my neighbour I kept the appointment, and its a bit like going to the dentist, not so bad once you're there.

Try not to worry, its just another process we need to endure to enable us to claim what we are entitled to.

[Mandy6513]

I had no problems going from dla to pip and didnt need to attend an interview....i just set in a letter that my consultant wrote for me and a few other things supporting my illness

[tannie in reply to Mandy6513]

I also sent in copies of all consultants letters ,X-ray , MRI results and still this person thought they knew better , have now second lot of communication away. so will wait and see what happens.

[Gillianl21 in reply to Mandy6513]

Thank you Mandy I have not seen a consultant about my Copd as my gp wants to manage it himself at first. I've had it 3 years now, but recently out of breath going up hills and coughing with cold weather. It's been 4 weeks so I'm assuming I won't be allowed the pip again

[Tryfan]

If I may inform you and all others who's benefits are to change. Or those who wish to claim PiP, or are subject to review. Please seek advice from CAB. This is what they do best. As an ex volunteer adviser it is how the forms are completed and how your condition and restrictions are annotated make the difference to win or loose.

[Gillianl21 in reply to Tryfan]

Thank you I may appeal or seek advise from citizens advice bureau and will definately get their help next year?

[tannie in reply to Tryfan]

I have a Representative who works closely with my doctors etc , who works with these forms everyday, even they were disgusted with the outcome

[Mandy6513 in reply to Tryfan]

Indeed....It is shocking how many people are turned down when they desperately need this money and its made worse by these awful documentaries that are constantly on here in the uk about people on benefits who are scamming the system

[Foxy79]

Hi re PIP DLA

It's basic fomattally as they do it's starts of with few years then goes up mine started with 3years know it's 10years I never went for medical test I'm enhanced on both first was standard but I know lot of people who are standard and only get 1yearly PIP they do it with your medical report trust they do check how bad it is then they decide what how much how long hope this helps

[tannie in reply to Foxy79]

From what I have seen with different people from different areas, it is a lottery on who you see, what the outcome is.