PIP Application Nightmare

[andyking1990]

Hello All

I have joined the forum as a family member of someone suffering from Lupus in order to gain further insight and understanding.

At the moment, the family member in question is going through a very tough time. They are diagnosed with Lupus, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Emphysema to name a few. In December 17, their application to move from Lifetime DLA to PIP was rejected, as was the subsequent appeal. They have had no income since December and their Motability Car was revoked in February. We have been told today that we will need to wait at least another 14 weeks for a tribunal date.

I don’t want to get into politics, but so much of the original assessment was incorrect and untrue; I was gobsmacked to read the incorrect “casual observations” made in the short time they spent with her.

I am so deeply concerned and upset. Since this began their Lupus has flaired up constantly with weeks on need being spent housebound or in bed. I believe she he becoming depressed and I don’t know what to do.

If anyone has any advice on the support we can give her, and any preparations we can make for the tribunal, I would be eternally grateful.

Thank you very much in advance.

[Kazbe]

I’m so sorry to hear how you have been treated by the awful PIP nightmare !

You can go the your local welfare rights and they will go through everything with you and will go with you to the tribunal !

There is also a site called Benefits and Work which I think you pay approx £15 for the year.

They have template application forms, mandatory reconsideration forms Appeals and step by step guides on how to go to tribunal everything to be successful. it’s worth having a look to see what you think .

I can’t believe what the DWP Capita PIP and all the other associated organisations do to people , it’s awful and it’s making people very ill worse!

I hope some of this information helps you , take care and good Luck I hope it turns out good for you

Kazbe

[andyking1990 in reply to Kazbe]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I’ll be sure to look into all those suggestions! Thank you!

[conniemcall in reply to andyking1990]

Im so sorry to hear ur awful experience! My sister had a distressing time with her appeal! Second one! It was as if she was on trial as criminal! I kid u not! Too involved to go into detail but its inhumane to treat sick and vulnerable people this way!

My heart and prayers go out to u and family x

[suzannah16]

try and get someone from citizens rights or welfare rights to help. they wouldn't help me as they were overloaded with applications when I needed them but you might get lucky

[larainehudson49]

Not wanting to get into politics either, it's clear to me that the reason they have changed the title of this benefit is so as they can change the goal posts when for someone who was awarded DLA for life, they can suddenly withdraw it, that's why they have changed the title, crafty eh?

Also the reasons they give in their reports are vague.

I have a chronic illness that will never go away and affects my life with breathing and mobility!! I've received DLA for some years, mobility component with an indefinite time, I have now been refused it, so I will appeal and get help from an advice bureau. They are very good if you get the right person. I wish you luck, keep on it!

[RachelD1972]

Hi, just to add to the above there is a Facebook group called 4up which is extremely helpful with all benefits issues. It may be worth taking a look. Good luck!

[davinafrost]

So sorry to hear of all your troubles. I feel your frustration as have been there several times myself and I am not as ill as your family member. I have a wonderful man who goes through all the paperwork and attends tribunals with me. He is employed by the local council. It doesn't cut out the stress but it greatly helps with it. I had a complete meltdown in court the last time (and cried & swore in court!) told them they made me feel like a criminal for being ill and how they should all try being in my shoes facing up to a panel of three to 'prove' myself to them. My benefits advisor said this probably went quite well in my favour...… Of course I am not suggesting any drama lessons....

Also, when appealing for my ESA there was DWP chap there who I was feeling well enough (that day) to lay in to. I told him that 5 years ago, when I lost my job due to illness, even with all reasonable adjustments in place, I was still taking nearly 100 days off sick per year. I asked him if he would employ me because, I said, I certainly would not! That statement pretty much closed proceedings and I was awarded my ESA. It is disgusting what we are put through. The other thing that DWP cannot seem to grasp is that many of these diseases are progressive. We're not going to suddenly make some sort of miraculous recovery back to full health. Doh. All the best with it and thank you for being such a help to your family member - I wish I had one of you! xx