Official appointee visit

Well, today my son and I had the visit re me becoming his official appointee.

There were several positives about the visit. The lady who came to his room was absolutely lovely. She was very understanding and empathetic. She spoke to my son about the difficulties he’d had writing and phoning re the PIP claim. She was very balanced and measured and put him at ease.

She went on to explain that if I became his appointee I wouldn’t just communicate with the DWP on his behalf I’d effectively become the recipient of his benefits and they would be paid to me to distribute back to him. We all agreed that for my son this would not be appropriate. He does need help budgeting but his finances are simple- everything on direct debit, all bills included in the rent, and because he doesn’t really go out, doesn’t smoke or drink, he can usually manage within budget.

Anyway, she then went on to explain that there is a vulnerable person team in the DWP and they can decide that I am allowed to talk to them on his behalf and take over the stuff that sends his anxiety spiralling. But without the complete and total takeover of becoming an appointee. She said she’d get them to contact us and was confident they’d sort it out for us..

I’m not sure why no one ever mentioned this team before, especially when I was begging them to talk to me when his anxiety was rocketing and why we weren’t referred to them then. But hopefully this will give us the halfway house we need.

Anji

She did actually mention two different teams that could help, but I have forgotten the first one as when the conversation moved on she clearly felt the 'vulnerable' person team were the right people. She was very confident that they would agree to allow me to take over dealing with them as the first port of call, which would be brilliant as my son gets very anxious about it.

Neither of us has heard anything yet, but it has only been a couple of working days so far.

On another note, I am soooooo kicking myself that I didn't take a picture of my son's room when I arrived as it was 3 feet deep in rubbish 😂 The assessor for PIP (assessment was over the phone) said he could do housework and didn't lack motivation... not sure where she got that from, but hey.
Three hours later, Mum had the room spick and span (son did help, with one step at a time instructions he got the bed changed and put the bed clothes in the washing machine). But I missed an opportunity to provide evidence of his inability to do this without significant prompting if we need to go to a tribunal.