× Members

No idea where to turn

More
6 years 5 months ago #199303 by SummerG
No idea where to turn was created by SummerG
Please forgive me as this is lengthy.

I have severe clinical depression, Lupus, really nasty RLS & Lumbar Osteoarthritis. I was awarded DLA for several years, middle rate care, lower rate mobility and that was before my Lupus diagnosis. This claim ended on 29/7/17 and I made a claim for Pip. I cannot stress politely how severe my depression is at this moment in time, so bad that I barely made it to my PIP interview after being virtually dragged there by my sister. They aren't monsters but I found it extremely psychologically difficult. After being awarded just 7 points, I was refused PIP, inc the mandatory reconsideration. Now I know I need to fight at a Tribunal and I feel sick with fear... which is no doubt quite irrational but that's my depression for you.

After burying my head for a few weeks in despair, I realised that I had to get help. After many phone calls and Google searches, (even the CAB couldn't help as they said they were too busy to see me in time to log my Tribunal claim) I found out about seeing a welfare rights advisor from my local council. I went to see her and she completed my PIP tribunal form for me. She then pointed out that in actual fact, I should NOT still be on the ESA pre-assessment rate after all this time, and gave me another form that she had completed to post off. I did explain that I knew I should have been assessed much sooner, but as I live alone in an almost reclusive way, I just couldn't face the thought of pushing them to drag me in front of them to have my health picked over once again. I know they are compulsory; I just wasnt in a rush to relive the experience after finding my original DLA assessment extremely traumatic.

Its 3 weeks later. I have had a reply from the Tribunal to say theyve received my letter and are waiting for the DWP to send a full statement of why they turned me down. I am also currently going through a hard divorce after 18 years of marriage so it's fair to say, things are a tad difficult to deal with right now. I have had no word from ESA and I am living on a knife edge with stress way beyond any normal limits I used to have. My welfare rights advisor is a very busy person as you can probably imagine, so I cannot have her help with the ESA issue as well as the PIP one right now, and due to my loss of DLA I am now falling into debt with other bills and rent etc. I just don't know what to do to get ESA to deal with my claim.. or who to go to for help. I don't know what happens if I get awarded it in the end. Will it be back dated? Will I be penalised for not chasing it, even though as far as I was concerned, I had done my part.. completed the forms on time as required. Is there any support I can get financially until they DO deal with my claim to stop me from falling any further into debt?

Sorry for this being lengthy. Please don't judge me for not seeking help sooner. I have always really struggled asking for help for fear of putting on people.. and up until now, I've been a bit of an Ostrich with my head in the sand.

Thank you for reading.
Summer.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 5 months ago #199328 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic No idea where to turn
Summer

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

How long have you been in the ESA Assessment phase? There are considerable delays in the ESA assessment process and we have members reporting that they have waited six or even nine months for an appointment.

If an award is made then it will be backdated to the beginning of week 14 of your claim.

You might want to have a look at our ESA Claim guides to make sure that you understand the criteria against which you are being assessed. See

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa1

For your PIP, you need to show that you should score the eight points required for a Standard award. A Tribunal will primarily look at whether you meet the criteria, so go back though your PIP2 claim form, the assessment report (there will be a copy in the DWP bundle if you do not already have a copy), our PIP Claim guide explains what you were assessed against. See

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

If you have any further questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: SummerG

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 5 months ago #199331 by SummerG
Replied by SummerG on topic No idea where to turn
Thank you Gordon for your reply.

On 3rd June 2015 ( that's not a typo!) I claimed ESA and have been on the assessment rate ever since. My doctor is now giving me sicknotes for 6 months at a time due to the length of time everything is taking. I know I should have contacted them during this time to jog their memory but as I explained in my first message, I am in no rush to sit in the assessment chair again whilst I am visually dissected.

As for my Pip tribunal, I have only recieved a letter of acknowledgement that they have received the application to go to tribunal. They have advised me that the DWP will send their very full and lengthy report in due course and then I take it from there. I emailed my advisor to tell her of the update last Tuesday but she has yet to acknowledge this message...

I also found out accidentally that my own GP was never actually given the PIP form to complete in time for my original PIP assessment. The receptionist still had it on her desk this morning. When I asked what date it had to be returned by, she sheepishly said the 13th June. So in other words, it seems that PIP never even had a report from my GP regarding my medical issues in the first place thanks to the receptionist. Fabulous!

I will take a look at the links of information you have posted for me though. Thank you very much indeed for your help.

Summer.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.