DLA Indefinitely since 2011, Moving to PIP

I have had DLA since 2011, it has helped me immensely since that time.

I have also been flipping between (most recent) ESA Support Group to ESA Work Related Group.

I have been doing my 15 hours at minimum wage in a supported mental health charity for a few years now.

So, I do have diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Sleep Apnoea and Panic Disorder.

I know DLA is in its last days, so know I will be reassessed soon.

I was in hospital a lot when was younger and struggled massively maintaining job roles but got onto ESA and DLA eventually when was mid 40s.

Am now 59 but think I wont get anything at all, if I was reassessed for PIP.

I currently qualify for DLA low mobility and medium rate care.

I did have a massive issue being on benefits initially ie worked full time but was never well and it has helped me. I asked community mental health services if I should say been feeling better in the past if needed be reassessed as can look after myself much better now and get out and about more, because I do not have to push myself in jobs I have not been able to function in at all.

So have remained on DLA indefinitely.

Question I have is whats peoples advice re applying for PIP after transferring over from DLA.

My everyday skills are much better and i do have more abilities than previous but I still have my schizophrenia, anxieties and sleep apnoea, and if was having to work more and also going through the whole process, I can miss meds which can quickly cause me massive problems with my schizophrenia in particular and I live alone, so could be unchecked.

But currently day to day, with doing a small part time supported job in a mental health field, am ok.

Currently feel reluctant to apply for PIP, in case one for going through the whole process when feel they are going to give me nothing. Could appeal and again I feel I will be turned down.

And also,as currently coping better, and doing more, I think the way the PIP is assessed I believe is totally on that, but I do have schizophrenia and diagnosed as panic disorder on top of sleep apnoea, and going through the process and being removed permanently is going to impact my mental health and as I live alone, I can miss my meds, not deliberately, just because I am stressed and i become unwell for me very quickly.

Problem being I will have to earn more money somehow to cover the loss of income of my DLA and currently I cant work more than 15 hours to get more income because on ESA.

But also, I am afraid that if I apply for PIP from my DLA, they will then decide retrospectively to dock me monies also from my previous indefinite award of DLA, so wanted to know also, has anyone else been in such a scenario and what were the outcomes they faced and the decisions they made.

I have not been called up to be reassessed onto PIP from DLA, but know its coming up soon. And not been moved to Universal Credit from ESA either.

If any have any ideas of best ways forward or any experiences of their own or any information on my concerns and worries, be most grateful for any current up to date advice.

Basically my main question is with regards to the DLA to PIP process, because currently.for reasons stated, I am reluctant to apply for PIP, even though the loss of my DLA will undoubtedly impact.

Thank you BIS

I take on board your thoughts.

I still have Schizophrenia, Anxiety and Sleep Apnoea.

Yes, definitely will wait until transfer applications have to be made. No problems.

In general, today I work and also am good with structuring my days and doing my housework, seeing friends and being stable for some years now.

But occasionally, stress will trigger my mental health badly, however mainly I am ok.

Are you 100% sure that they would have no abilities to recover payments from the old award if they retrospectively decided, I had been coping well, didnt award me PIP and then could think i was overpaid on my DLA. Its probably an irrational fear, but the worry is around this, if its seen as illegal.

I have not had contact with Community Mental Health team for few years now, but yes they did used to advise me to not get a review of my award, as was.

Thank you BIS

Do understand that so won't ask for a PIP review until it happens. Thank you.

A friend of mine who has same condition as me, asked for a PIP assessment and previously had DLA indefinitely and well before me also and then I said to him, you better off waiting until they ask for reassessment.

So he tried to stop the process but the PIP assesment team would not let him do so9 and it was him, his sister remotely and also the assessment officer remotely also, in the appointment.

They went backwards and forwards on things and the whole telephone interview lasted two hours apparently.

Just also to clarify, if they did reassess me and rejected PIP for me outright, they could not then go back and claim monies that i have received from DLA. Its a genuine concern I have, as to not apply.

One of my colleagues said she knows someone who was on DLA and has a terminal condition and her reassessment has stated that she will not get any PIP, despite being terminally ill. Am guessing this is an oversight, but when the time comes, I will be unsure whether to reapply.

My collegue kind of intimated to me, not to and the noise from government is that they willbe massively cutting benefits, as I understand things.

I will read things on this website and if anyone can point me in the direction of where I could access information relevant to my concerns I would be most appreciative.

Thank you. I am doing better because of my own stubborn efforts to improve but I can quickly spiral if stresses become too much and its related to my physical and mental health conditions.

Thank you for your words BIS. They have helped me look at this all from a better perspective, but its horrible for all to assessed and feel like they are on trial.

I hope, one day the system improves immeasurably because its a very unkind service and assessment process, as things have always seemed to be with these things.