DWP letter arrived today regarding my PIP

The DWP sent me a letter at the end of November 2017 saying that my DLA would be stopping and did I want to claim PIP. I sent for the form and had a month to return it. I telephone Michelle Cardno at Fightback 4 Justice in Bury as when I first applied for DLA it was denied and we ended up at tribunal where Michelle won the case for me, it took a total of 18 months, that was in 2014 and I was awarded it for life. However, seeing as the Government decided to abolish DLA and make us ALL claim for PIP whether or not we were awarded it for life that is what I did.

Michelle at Fightback4Justice and I had a 2 hour telephone appointment to complete the form, Michelle asked me all the questions and completed the form which she then sent to me (2 copies) which I sent along with all my medical evidence and a supporting letter from my GP to the DWP. Eventually after numerous telephone calls telling DWP I could not travel for assessment to Nottingham as it was over an hour away (44 miles) especially at commuter times, 9.25 they wanted me to be there for. They gave me a home visit assessment appointment for 20 December and this took place at home, with a lady Physiotherapist (I asked her what her medical capacity was) having been a medical secretary myself in the years I was well enough to work I wanted to know that they were medically qualified to assess me. A lady called Karen from Fightback4Justice came to my house to be with me and take notes. this was for my benefit should they refuse me and in that case F4J could do a mandatory reconsideration for me.

Luckily this was not needed as today 19th January I had a letter to say I had been awarded PIP until 2021 when they will check to see if my needs are the same as when I applied. Well we all know that osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia in most cases does not improve and I will be three years older then too making me 67. I have been awarded enhanced for both and it is one heck of a relief.

I hope that everyone else that has recently applied or is applying for PIP now is as successful. Best of luck from a very relieved Mistyang. Gentle hugs & love xxx

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Afternoon I'm really glad to read your post, I'm sure you feel very very relieved hope that starts you off to a pleasant weekend xx

[Hidden in reply to YASMINTINA]

Thank you Yasminta hope you have a very pleasant weekend too xx

[Hidden]

Thank you Ajay yes I can. It has been a fraught week as the boiler packed in and cannot cope with the cold, they did fix it pretty quick luckily for me.

[WF2k]

I've used Fightback for my ESA50, also have a home assessment, no appointment yet.

I'm going to record the assessment, should I still ask my Son to take notes?

Glad everything worked out for you.

[Hidden in reply to WF2k]

As long as you are recording it your son should not need to take notes too WF2k. Wish you the best of luck with your home assessment too. Fightback are really excellent their success rate is amazing.

Thank you.. it is a relief x

[WF2k in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Viking2030 in reply to WF2k]

OI think you will not needs notes if you're recording it. My carer requested mine to be recorded 7 times, they agreed, on my f2f, I was refused and it took 2 hrs 14min, I thought it would never end. I had spent £50 on equipment. I was messed about lied to treated badly, refused a home visit as I have extreme anger issues, my f2f was canceled 5times in total.

So good luck and god bless let us know how it all goes.

[milo4]

Glad you got your pip sorted nice to hear a bit of good news regarding pip. I am in middle of doing my pip forms again, it is due to run out next January.

At least you can now relax I hate the waiting game.

Trace x

[Hidden in reply to milo4]

Thank you Trace. I was relieved indeed. Wishing you the best of luck with your PIP too. Ang x

[rosie-2015]

That's brilliant, I hope you feel a bit more relaxed now.

Gentle hugs Rosie xx

[redmaple-5]

Great news Mistyang on your PIP award. It sounds like you were well prepared and had good support from Fightback4Justice helping you through a very stressful situation. X

[Mackembabe]

So glad for you Mistyang that it all went your way what a lot of pressure and stress off you now, you can rest and enjoy yourself with out any worry.

Love & Hugs Xx

[rosewine]

Wonderful news so glad you can relax for the foreseeable future. I hate the DLA to PIP changeover as they seem to not know what the words indefinite and for life mean.x

[house77]

Well done am so pleased mistyang, am still waiting to hear from my pip medical 22 dec. Xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

Hopefully you will hear very soon then hun,mine was 20th. Will keep my fingers crossed for you x

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you mistyang. Well done again. I've looked at her report and she recommend 8 pointo for each care and mobility.

but Dwp don't always agree.So still very worried. .I really do feel for everyone having to prove there disabled / have health issues ,to gain disability benefits. . I feel so worn out. Like a lot of us must feel too..

Massive love and Hugs..🌼🌺🍀🌹🌻🌷xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

I know how you feel with that worry and I really do hope everything is good for you and they award you what you are entitled to. If not then you ask for a copy of their report, which I am sure you can pick holes in, or at least get some help with mandatory reconsideration. I agree with you that its so very wrong the way the DWP treat us. Look after yourself always here if you need a chat, send me a pm. Huge hugs and love to you xxx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mistyang,

I have the report I asked for it, I also rung up about about some bits I was not happy about, but they told me to wait for the award letter..

I will update you when it arraives. Big Hugs xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

Oh sorry I did not realise. How long ago is it since you rung them? I would have thought they would get your award letter out to you seeing they have the report. Big hugs, hang in there xx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

I rung last week, to say I was not happy we the report. I think I will have the brown envelope this coming week. Will keep you updated mistyang. Xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

Will keep my fingers crossed for you xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

Have you heard from the DWP about your PIP yet house? xx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mistyang, no not yet.

I rung up yesterday to ask them why is it taking so long, and they just said it is with the decision maker. Am getting very impatient with them. Xx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

I can't believe how long it is taking them. It really should not take any more than 4 - 6 weeks. It is very unfair of them keeping you hanging around like this. I bet you are getting very impatient with them indeed so would I. Hope you hear soon un xxx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I shall ring up again tomorrow to ask them again why the delay, I have had the flu, been poorly, so that has not helped.

thanks Mist yang big hugsxx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

Aww bless you I hope you are feeling better, takes it out of you that flu. Let us know how you get on xxx Big hugs

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will xx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

HI mISTYANG,

Hope you doing well, just a little update. Well ive rung up a few times to ask about my pip award, if it was to continue,or if I was to lose it, as was getting very impatent.

They always said the same, that it was with the decision maker, I got so fed up I got in touch with my local mp, I was told he would be in touch with dwp, weather he did, am not sure.

Today though, I thought I would give um another ring, and was passed on to a decision maker, he said he would look into my case on Monday, so am pleased I rung up, hopfully I shall hear something by next Friday, fingers crossed..i will keep you updated with a posy..

big hugs xxx

[Hidden in reply to house77]

I really am dumbstruck at the length of time they have kept you waiting so long it is diabolical the way they treat people. I hope that you hear favourable news on Monday if not we will be taking them to task for sure... never give up hun.

Big hugs xxx

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

I know Misty ang,

He was shocked himself why it had not been done.. Am sure I will hear something in the week.. I will let you know when I hear something.. Xx

[Jan101]

Hi sweetie I have to say well done to you. 👍 It is so nice to hear that someone else has got what they are entitled to. You where really on the ball with the pip assessors. I truly hope that a lot off other people read your posts so they can get a idea of what they can do if they need help. Like you I got enhanced rate for both and mine is on going. It really makes a change to read that someone else got what they are entitled to. Take good care of yourself sweetie. Love and hugs 🤗🤗🤗🌹🌹🌹xxx

[Hidden in reply to Jan101]

Hi Jan thank you so much. I was so pleased to have Fightback 4 Justice helping me. It cost me £55 to have them complete the form over the telephone which was 2 hours of their time, they then sent me two copies of the completed PIP form, I just had to attached the front and back cover from the form DWP sent to me. Posted it off with all my medical evidence. I am lucky my GP did me a great letter of support listing all my problems, the Surgery charged me £20.

It has cost me money to get the help I needed but it was well worth it for the peace of mind. Help is out there for us in the form of various organisations and we should use this. I too hope that my experience will benefit others on this forum and help them. I would gladly help anyone who asks me about my experience. The DWP can be so hit and miss. Have a lovely weekend. Love and hugs xxxx

[Jan101 in reply to Hidden]

Hi misty I personally think that you did the right thing and money well spent for peace of mind. It is really pleasing to hear a good result as there are so many disheartening cases out there. I really hope that a lot people on here reads your post and it might help to put them in the right direction. Well done sweetie. I hope that you are enjoying your weekend. Love and hugs 🤗🤗🤗🌹🌹🌹xxx

[Hidden in reply to Jan101]

Hi Jan, Yes I think I did the right thing too. Fightback4Justice won me my DLA in the first place and I was awarded it for life so for the Government to mess things up abolish DLA and invent PIP was a nightmare to start with. Because in 2014 my DLA was not awarded, neither on reconsideration, Fightback took them to tribunal on my behalf. Took 18 months from start to finish and I must admit I was dreading the same thing happening again.

For Fightback to complete the forms this time and get PIP straight away was nothing short of a miracle to me. It was worth every penny. I also paid expenses for one of the FIghtback team to attend my home visit assessment and that was worth every penny too.

Have been to see my daughter and her four children this morning, had some treats for them for the weekend. Now having a rest. Love and hugs xxxx

[Jan101 in reply to Hidden]

Hi sweetie I really think that you have done everything the right way to help take most off the stress away from you. If I ever have to go through this again I might look into using Fightback4justice. It’s lovely to hear that you daughter and her children. I hope that you had a lovely time. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Love and hugs 🤗🤗🌹🌹xxx

[twinks in reply to Hidden]

Hya Mistyang that's really good to hear you've got pip. Fightback sounds very helpful, and we can do without the stress.

So we'll done

These forms are difficult, how to put into words, pain etc

I don't go to the doctor for loads I just try and get on with it as best I can, as most of us do. I'd blooming live there otherwise lol

Well done

[Hidden in reply to twinks]

Thanks Twinks x

[twinks in reply to Hidden]

I've sent you a pm

[Hidden in reply to twinks]

Will respond later xx

[twinks in reply to Hidden]

Ok

[Dorimori]

Congratulations, this is so good to hear! I attended my pip review on 27-11-17 and am still awaiting a decision! It's soooo stressful isn't it? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Dorimori]

Hi Dorimori and thank you. Yes it is extremely stressful. My assessor told me 4 - 6 weeks I have no idea why they are keeping you waiting so long, thats awful for you. I hope you hear from them soon and if not chase them up. Fingers crossed for you.

If they do not award you it make sure you ask for a copy of the report to see what it says and go for a mandatory reconsideration, but please get help with this.

Good luck xx

[Dorimori]

Hi mistyang thanks for your kind words, yes It will be 8 weeks on Monday I will have been waiting, and I too was told 4-6 weeks. I really should give them a ring but I'm afraid to get their decision, whilst now I'm relying on no news being good news haha. I Will keep you updated. Take care xx

[Hidden in reply to Dorimori]

Hi Dorimori, I can understand your hesitation to call them, I would be the same. I will keep my fingers crossed. Keep me updated .. take care xx

[Dorimori]

Thank you 😘 will do, you take care too xx

[Hidden in reply to Dorimori]

Dorimori have you heard from the DWP about your PIP claim yet. Hugs xx

[Dorimori]

Hi, yes I rang them a couple of days ago and they said that they had made a decision on 15-12-17!!! But they hadn't sent me the decision letter!!! I have been waiting all this time, afraid to ring in case the news was bad. I've stayed the same, on lower rate living and mobility, although I got 10 points for mobility, and I had 8 last time. You get some time to query their decision, from the date on the letter, and as the date on my letter was 15-12-17,that tim had already elapsed before they actually sent me the letter!!! Not good is it? Thank you for asking 😘xx

[Hidden in reply to Dorimori]

Oh bless you that is really bad of the DWP all that time elapsing before letting you know. I do believe you have more time to request a Mandatory Reconsideration than a month, I read it somewhere on FIghtback 4 Justices page. It would be an idea to try and find out what your rights are and take it from there. Sending gentle hugs xxx

[Hidden]

Have a read of this Dorimori... because they were late sending you the letter I cannot see how they can say you only have a month to request Mandatory Reconsideration...

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

[Hidden]

I really do hope my post regarding my success in transition from DLA to PIP helps others on this site. I have gone into depth about the whole procedure, I swear I would not have succeeded without Fightback4Justice who are brilliant at what they do and that is fight for us disabled people to get our benefits x

[Dorimori]

Thanks that's a great help xx

[waylay]

Congrats!!!