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Benefits advice

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation
22 Replies

Good afternoon everyone,

this is just a reminder that I’m here to help with any questions you have about welfare benefits.

If you feel you’re not managing personal care issues as well as you were, or your mobility is affected by your condition, or you think you might have to cut your working hours, or stop altogether, I’m happy to discuss your options.

Please give me a call – 03000 030 555.

If I’m not available, I’ll call you back at a convenient time.

Or ask away on here!

All the best,

Biddy.

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Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUK
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22 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Thanks for that Biddy, good to know. Xxxx 😘

I'm waiting for a pip tribunal any advice I'm stage 4 emphysemic 2 wedge fractures of the spine and now high blood pressure is didn't get care of pip as assessor lied and got mid rate mobility any help wold be appreciated

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation in reply to

Good morning,

So sorry to hear you're at the tribunal stage. Do you have an advocate, or anyone helping you with the process? I highly recommend you get someone to help, particularly as you are disputing the assessor, as well as the outcome.

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help you with this, you can also search for local help via the link below.

turn2us.org.uk

The CAB also produce good factsheets on how to prepare for a tribunal, and how DWP decisions are made

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

If you want to discuss this, give me a call - Thanks, Biddy

in reply to Biddy_ALUK

The citizens advice did the original claim form said I had enough points appantly I didn't then they did the man I tory consideration form said I had enough points still got turned down I have no one to help me I'm not sure who im getting a lift from yet I don't drive either

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation in reply to

Unfortunately, even the best completed applications can be refused after an assessment, and the assessors report may not be a true depiction of the assessment, or even the severity of the condition and its effects.

This is why I suggest help from someone familiar with the system. Do the CAB know you have been refused?

Also, if you're going to have difficulty getting to the tribunal, please contact the tribunal service to check you can apply for your travel expenses on the day. The link above suggests you take with you ….

"receipts for any expenses you need to claim back that the tribunal service have already approved, eg travel by public transport, your taxi fare if you can’t use public transport, childcare costs etc"

Karenlitch profile image
Karenlitch in reply to

Hi Startover1

Is this your first refusal and are you applying for a mandatory reconsideration? Or are you in full appeal? I’m asking because I was refused my first application which seems to be the norm, I then asked for a mandatory reconsideration where I was asked to supply evidence from a health care professional. The best person for me was my occupational therapist who had visited my home, seen my limitations in pulmonary rehabilitation where I was also provided with aids for my home, based on what she knew about me and her findings she wrote a report and I sent it to dwp to support my claim. I was awarded pip because of her report. I was wondering if you had anyone that can officially support you medically, it go’s a long way. Hope it turns out ok!

in reply to Karenlitch

No I'm in full appeal now where u have 3 people to hopefully agree with me that I should have been awarded pip that can take up to a 1year I've waited 5 mths so far glad u got yours and no I do not have anyone that could help i have put all evidence to the tribunal fingers crossed ay

Any advice as to what currently the best medication to treat COPD is I've tried many

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation in reply to

Hi, I can't help with this, but we do have nurses on the helpline.

Give us a call on 03000 030 555, and we'll endeavour to help.

Thanks.

I used to be on dla low care high mobility when moved to pip got no care mid mobility but I have my son who is my carer evenings overnight and weekends but woaks full time days becouse i no longer get care element which is what the tribunal is for ive recieve a letter asking for what I get in what my son earns I am getting £230 less than before I used for bills etc now I've been told my son has to pay my full rent and council tax it's also been backdated to feb and ive been told pay it or we will send u a notice to quit my bungalow he was saving up to replace his ageing car or he will not be able to get to work I said if he moves out and Iu would pay my rent and council tax as I'm seriously ill they said yes but u would have no care is this right can they do this he only moved in to help me and has put his friends on hold to help me advice pls

Gingeros profile image
Gingeros in reply to

Hi, Startover1, You could go back to citizens advice with your outcome and hopefully will help you go through the First Mandatory appeal and if need be Appeal against the Mandatory appeal.

It's a good idea too ask for the face to face assessor's report that was used for the outcome of your award.

Don't think that will be bedtime reading though 😲

Go on line find Age UK in your area , they maybe able to come out to your home and help with your day to day living and other benefit issue's.

Never give up.

Best wishes Ros xx

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation in reply to

Addressing all your issues is daunting alone, and any contact with the DWP or housing will have more influence coming from an official body so I'm inclined to agree with Ros, and advise you to go back to CAB, or AGE UK - see the link below for local help.

directory.ageuk.org.uk/loca...

You could look into getting a care needs assessment by social services. This may result in the offer of help at home, so if your son were to move out, you would have someone helping you at home.

You can request an assessment by contacting your local council. The assessment doesn't cost, and you're under no obligation to accept the help offered if you don't wish to.

carersuk.org/help-and-advic...

Again, call me if you want to chat.

Biddy

Thanks hun I've had mandatory reconsideration already now I'm waiting to go to tribunal god I'm so nervous having high blood pressure and all this going on is not helping my health one little bit wish it was over with and hope I win this appeal 😯

Gingeros profile image
Gingeros in reply to

Work and Benifits are the best for advice, sorry don't know how to put link on. Only thing is its all on line but you'll get all the advice and guidance you need for Tribunal, I became a member, believe me no regrets. where I live Citizens Advice are not helpful at all in my area, I'm sorry to say just told you to look on line.

Hope you win your appeal Ros Xx

in reply to Gingeros

I have looked online thanks anyway

in reply to

Citizens advice said pay it 😢 I've already spoken to them they were supposed to ring me when I found out how much they didn't no worries tribunal next 😧 thanks for reply anyway

frose profile image
frose

And Biddy is excellent, as I know from personal experience!

Jonn54 profile image
Jonn54

Hi biddy

I'm a long term sufferer with bronchiectasis and asthma .the last couple of years seem to have got worse I'm now at work full time as a field service engineer I've taken vast amounts of time off work without pay due to breathlessness and chest infections to the point where I'm struggling to make ends meet which makes my health worse.

I've a wife at home who doesn't work and find myself going to work even when I'm I'll and trying to hide my breathless almost passing out feelings away from the clients I visit.

Is there any help out there to help with rent,council tax etc..

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation in reply to Jonn54

Hi John,

There may be financial help if your struggling, but I wonder why you're sick pay isn't paid.

It may be worth private messaging me with a contact number so I can call you for a chat as this may be quite complex. Or give ma a call on 03000 030 555.

Is that OK?

Biddy

michelleoleary profile image
michelleoleary

Hi i am 52 and have nsip, lupus, fibromyalgia, type2 diabetes, raynauds and graves disease. I am struggling at the moment to carry on with my day to day commitments. i work full time, and have always relied on overtime, to boost my wages. i can not manage this anymore, would i be likeley to claim pip for my conditions.

Biddy_ALUK profile image
Biddy_ALUKPartnerBritish Lung Foundation

Good afternoon,

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. Looking after your health and managing a full time job can be very difficult at times.

If your conditions are effecting on how you manage everyday tasks and/or your mobility, you can certainly look at PIP.

It doesn't matter what your diagnosis is, as it's your needs that are under scrutiny.

Have a look at the PIP information below and give me a call if you want to chat.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

Biddy - 03000 030 555

1Cazza profile image
1Cazza

Hi Biddy, thank you for your help and advice. I have recently applied for PIP, I have no idea if i will be awarded it, I think I probably did not fill in the form correctly as I agree I can do most things, just slowly and need to rest during and after some things. I got my diagnosis by accident a CT for something else, but I knew something was wrong thought it was my heart but got fobbed off by old GP and did't go back, nothing worse than a doctor saying nothing wrong what you here for. Anyway awaiting to hear back from PIP for phone interview at the moment maybe need to call you at some point. Thank you for your help to all of us.

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