PIPS FORM completed May 2021 to January 2023 Capita Telephone Assessment

THANK YOU TO Benefits and Work For still been around to help us and the Volunteers who help so many people.

However its also sad that sites like this are necessary showing using services like Capita simply does not work.

I had a Telephone Assessment with Capita after about 18 months since filling in 18 months previous. The exact same thing has happened Capita report to DWP and then REDUCE MY POINTS without providing any reasons. I am now going for a mandatory reconsideration and had a tx saying it will take 8 weeks. Not sure yet how much my ESA will be reduced by but my PIPS dropped £160 and no longer get enhanced rate for each only standard.

Am getting some written statements from people who know me best to support my claim a family member and cleaner. . As well as writing down all the reasons I disagree with the decisions which have typed up.

Considering getting a solictor to send this information in so that I can get overturned at the the reconsideration stage though this is £170 an hour.

QUESTIONS :
1/ Do you think it will be more likely if the solictor types out the reasons I disagree with the decision and sends in further evidence ?
Or do you think it makes no difference if a solictor does it or I do it. My family have offered to chip in on the costs.
2/ I am awaiting the Capita report which the DWP kindly offered to send out to me. Is it important that I wait until I have got the Capita report so I can pull apart. Or should I get the 1st part done ASAP There are only 3 questions if awarded correctly would give me the enhanced rate for mobility and mental health, Bipolar Disorder.
3/ If the above fails and I have to go to appeal. Will my PIPS be stopped and not paid while I appeal. Think I remember this happening when I was moved from DLA to PIPS. But this is a continuation, review of PIPS.

The lady at DWP said it would take 3 weeks for a mandatory re consideration. But have had a tx from DWP saying it will be 8 weeks
What is an average time ? Or is it how long is a piece of string.

What a shame the government is still making a hash of the benefits system to the people who are most vulnerable. This has
already taken a toll on my health already. The thought of waiting so long is soul destroying.

Thank You for been here for us to all the volunteers and members of the Forum

Thanks for help its put my mind at rest and saved me some money. One other thing I would like your comment on.
I have only been awarded 2 points for Managing my money. In February 2022 I bought a new car when feeling low but not now am having to pay high payments. Between 15th December and 14th December I started buying car raffle tickets for competitions hoping to win cash alternative and pay my car off. But I have 300 individual bank transactions and spent on overdraft totalling £3000 most of which was bought on overdraft. Have printed 13 pages of bank statements. Can I submit this to DWP to prove that I cannot manage money well or does this look bad as I was gambling. Though did not realise it was at start. Your thoughts be appreciated Thank You

Hi Gary
I sent my own letter querying 3 questions including handling money. Did not send bank statements in.
Just proved that I qualified for more points. Thank You for explaining how the managing finances worked would never have thought it meant about managing money in the example you gave of a tribunal you mentioned so helped me understand the point and put my case across. Used the guides to. My Capita report was not to bad but there were some discrepancies which now do not give me the enhanced amount. I have made it simple as possible and concise so a decision maker can award the points at the CONSIDERATION stage. Also sent a letter from someone who knows me best confirming these problems exist. ONLY QUERY I HAVE is during this stage is my ESA money affected. I have not had a letter from them. I was getting 1 premium disability components physical health. Now get standard for health. Thank You to yourself and others who have helped me. I really did not expect to be needing help again after the last time. THANK YOU ALL...................