DLA award November 2014 to 2019 now PIP

I was on medium rate care with high mobility and then after a nurse from dwp called I was bumped up to high care and kept the high mobility this was November 2014.

I recieved a letter at start of June saying my benefit was about to ed soon which I was a bit surprised seeing as its 2019 I was awarded the recent award to. I have had welfare rights out to my home to fill it out they took it with them and sent it waway for me along with copying it for evidence to prove it was sent as I had issues with ths in the past.

I got a call at 1945 on Monday saying they haven't been in contact due to there systems being down as my letters must be printed on blue paper for my husband to be able to read them. They said I have a medical next week but to call on tuesday to make sure that the medical is still happening due to there system failure.

I have a physical condition that isnt going to get better and is hereditary and also clinical deprssion both of these I take a long list of medication for and will not be changing.

I was originally knocked back for dla originally when I was first ill around 5 years ago and I had to go onto the apeals process that made my health 100 times worse.

I just keep hearing all these horror stories about people being stripped of their benefits and their mobility vehicles which is terrifying me as I rely on my mobility vehicle to get to my appointments every week and without this I am left without my support.

I cannot get around on my own without people helping me or my walking aids (wheelchair, delta walker or crutches) I need help to dress to be reminded to take medicines to help me about the house and toileting needs and personal hygiene.
My Anxiety is through the roof and is usually pretty high when I need to leave my home so the thought of another medical with strangers and being told my social worker cannot attend with me I will have to take a relatve instead.

I keep thinking that its all going to go terribly wrong as it has done so in the past. Does anyone have any advice as I am struggling atm and its just getting worse with all this waiting and not knowing

I was the same when we received a letter ending my partners DLA indefinite awards to PIP. All I can say is try to remain positive. Try to jot down on a calendar a pattern of how your weekdays are. It can feel but will be useful and can be shown at the medical, you can put on it if you needed encouragement and support with such things as getting up and ready, eating sleeping moving around and going out.

The other thing is to think of is if and when they send you for a medical and if it is out of your area, decide if that is something you can manage or not, if not contact them and ask is one nearer to you. Please remember though I think they only allow you to re-arrange once. Also make sure you have support with you when you attend.

There are lots of positive comments on hear and you have found the best site available on the internet for upto date professional advice and lots and lots of people like yourself who feel overwhelmed in this.

Good luck

My medical was put back to Friday 28th October which is Friday I was advised to buy 2 dictaphones with tapes which are a little expensive after relatives helping us out to pay for them as I have no faith in this system as I have been messed around before. I was up at hospital ADOC on Sunday now on antibiotics due to a throat infection so I have even more stress as I can hardly speak without pain. Anyways I am struggling to sleep due to anxiety and a huge flare up I have read posts of positive but I am a nervous wreck and I am struggling even more than I was before. Just the thought of another appeal as it will be strung out til after christmas with no vehicle and no bus pass if I get taken off my rates I am just a wreck.
I have had Occupational Therapy out twice in the past 5 days putting more adaptions in my home as I have deteriorated due to the amount of stress I am under. I haven't left my home I have had to have home visits from nurses and OTs as I cannot leave my home due to overwhelming stress and pain.
Its not just the medical its the waiting afterwards of whether or not I have to give up my car and not being able to attend physio or my therapy sessions as I cannot get there.
I have made a list of anything new since my form was filled out any new support etc but I am afraid this wont be enough. Having the dictaphones has made me a little at ease but again still cannot trust the examiner and dwp after hearing so many awful stories.

The reason for this post is I am still struggling (my memory is so bad due to my condition and I don't remember anything it all has to be written down and saved on PCs, notepads and Phones) with all of this and I feel that it will go wrong and I will lose everything which will impact my health and my family.

I'm sorry you are finding this so upsetting

Have you asked in advance for permission to record the face2face assessment?

Read through the PIP guide again to remind yourself what to expect on the day. Also re-read your PIP2 claim form so that everything is fresh in your mind.

I urge you to Follow MRS HURTYBACK suggestion of recording the whole process and give them notice you intend to do so. There is advice in the guides on this. It could save you a lot of grief. Assessors will lie they do not have your interested first, by recording the assessment on a tape recorder with 2 tapes then they cannot make things up that you have not said.

Good Luck