DLA to PIP success
“I was on DLA higher rate indefinitely for mobility only. Had my f2f 29th April and got my decision letter today. Awarded enhanced rate for living and mobility I was not expecting that! So relieved its over it says ongoing and it will be reviewed after 2027 ! This website has helped me so much over the years and I know I wouldn't have received this result and my esa support group result in the past without it so I'd like to heartily thank you all.”
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Dear Reader,

This newsletter really has only one message: please vote.

Different polls are making dramatically different claims about how much the Tories’ lead has shrunk, with some even suggesting the possibility of a hung parliament.

What all the pollsters do agree on, however, is that it’s turnout which will decide this election.

The polls which put Labour almost neck and neck with the Tories all assume a very high turnout, especially amongst young voters. Something like the turnout for the Brexit referendum.

The polls which give the Tories a comfortable majority assume a turnout similar to that of previous general elections.

Whether you believe the polls or not, there’s no question that the Conservative campaign has not gone to plan and the election may be a lot closer than most people expected.

Of all the elections of recent times, this is one where the outcome may have the most dramatic effect on the lives of sick and disabled claimants.

So, we would urge you to vote and to encourage everyone who cares about you to do the same.

LABOUR DISABILITY MANIFESTO
In the run up to the election Labour have published ‘Nothing About You, Without You: A Manifesto With And For Disabled People’ which sets out their aims for the support of disabled people.

The 28 page document is signed by Jeremy Corbyn and two shadow ministers. It lists a range of ways in which Labour claim they would support disabled people if they are elected.

Many of the measures, such as reinstating the work-related activity component and scrapping the Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment assessments have been widely publicised already.

Others, such as halving the disability employment gap and new rights to flexible working for people with an impairment or chronic condition have received less publicity.

You can download a full copy of the manifesto from our article link below.

OVERTURNING THE PIP CHANGES – A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR READERS
In our last newsletter we told you about Billie, a claimant with severe mental health issues, who has launched a legal challenge against the recent changes to PIP, which make it much harder for people with mental health conditions to get an award of the mobility component.

We also asked you to contribute to Billie’s crowdfunding appeal to cover her legal expenses, if you were able.

And you came good in the most impressive way.

Billie was looking for £3,000 to cover initial legal costs. At the time the Benefits and Work newsletter went out Billie had received £750 in donations from supporters.

Within just hours the £3,000 target had been passed.

And dozens of positive comments have also been left for Billie, such as:

“Good luck, Billie. You are brave and you are right.” Yvonne

“I stand in awe of your courage and determination!” Paul

Billie has been very touched and encouraged by the hundreds of donations and supportive comments. She told us today:

“I’m utterly overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and support.

“The speed with which your readers pledged money and their comments made me realise just how many people are angry about these changes, and are behind me.

“I was literally crying with relief watching the pledges flood in from so many strangers.”

Billie has now been pledged almost £7,000 towards her ‘stretch’ target of £8,000.

The additional money will protect against the risk of paying the Government’s legal costs in the event she is ordered to do so.

We’ll keep you updated on Billie’s progress. And it’s still not too late to contribute if you can. Follow our article link below.

Good luck,

Steve Donnison

Benefits and Work guides covers

PIP success and no Face to Face!
“Enhanced rate on both components without a face to face. I followed the guidelines to the letter and that made it so incredibly easy. I prepared well in advance of my DLA run out date and applied immediately when I received the invitation to apply. The best bit is, awards are on going so review could be years away. Thanks guys. You rock !!!”

BOOST YOUR PIP AND ESA CHANCES - 20% OFF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP – OFFER ENDS MIDNIGHT FRIDAY, 9 JUNE
Support Group success
“Hello I have been put back in the support group thanks to your wonderful guides,..”

Give yourself the best possible chance of getting the right ESA, PIP or DLA decision, whether you’re making a claim, renewing an existing award or asking for a reconsideration or appeal.

Subscribe now and get instant access to all our guides.

If you’re not already a member, join the Benefits and Work community before midnight on Friday and you can get 20% off the cost of your annual subscription.

Just type the following code into the coupon box when you pay: 36599

Claimants and carers get an annual subscription for £15.96, down from £19.95. Professionals get an annual subscription for £77.60, down from £97.00.
Offer ends midnight Friday, 9 June

LATEST NEWS
Overturning the PIP changes - a big thank you to our readers
In our last newsletter we told you about Billie, a claimant with severe mental health issues, who has launched a legal challenge against the recent changes to PIP.

Labour manifesto for disabled people published
Labour have published ‘Nothing About You, Without You: A Manifesto With And For Disabled People’ which sets out their plan for the support of disabled people.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE FORUM
As always, many thanks to everyone who takes the trouble to post in the forum or email us with news of your success. We know it’s many readers favourite, and most encouraging, bit of the newsletter.

Benefits and Work guides coversWon PIP appeal
“Hello i am delighted to say i have been awarded standard rate for daily living i won the tribunal. ..Thank you to moderators what a great job your all doing.”

PIP appeal success
“Just to say thank you for all your help and Advice regarding my PIP appeal. I have just today won my case on my transfer from DLA to PIP. Was currently on higher rate care component and lower rate mobility component, now been awarded standard living component and enhanced mobility component.”

PIP success
“…many thanks for help with all the guides made such a difference to filling in the form and the home assessment .! Have been awarded standard rate care and standard rate mobility untill 2021”

Fab PIP Tribunal news
“I was totally (and unnecessarily) petrified about appearing at my 16yr old son's PIP appeal tribunal last week. But he went from zero points in everything to higher rate care and low rate mobility which is quite an achievement for a claim of chronic fatigue syndrome. Thank youso much for all your help, and for the PIP guide booklets, without which I would have had no idea how to go about the whole thing.”

Mandatory Reconsideration success
“Hello I just wanted to say BIG THANK YOU for your excellent guide to PIP forms and how to appeal. I got the brown envelop in November 2016 and was told to return the form in 4 weeks however the I got was 10 days late and I asked for extension and they extended by 2 weeks. It was very stressful to fill 40 pages but with your guide it made it easy…F2F was very stressful as they ask me to do some movements and lots of question, however we answered best as possible and was told they will write to us. Few weeks after I got my another brown letter stating that I have been awarded enhance rate for daily living 13 points and no award for mobility due to they only scores 4 points. I asked them for mandatory reconsideration after providing further 3 medical professional letters and few phone calls, I got the brown envelop in May 2017 which stated that I have been awarded enhance rate for daily living till 2027 as the score went to 16 points and enhance rate of mobility to 12 points. Hooray got what I should be on from DLA to PIP thought the rate is slightly lower then what I use to get when I was with DLA. This was very stressful time and due to my medical condition I needed to avoid stress which could bring in heart attack. Do not give up. Thanks again Benefits and Work, I have been a member for a few years and have found you so helpful. I definitely wouldn't have this result with out you.”

PIP Appeal Tribunal success
“I won my appeal,: The court reinstated my Mobility entitlement which was removed under review when I reapplied for PIP 10 months ago & they added points to my Care component, raising me from Standard to Enhanced… A huge "Thank You" to the Benefits and Work team on here for putting this site together & for helping with & publicizing the plight of thousands of disabled people currently fighting for justice in UK: You helped me keep sane throughout this process & I' very grateful to you.”

Hooray. Today I won my PIP appeal!
“Today was the day, and I have to say I was insanely nervous as have never been to court before and how the DWP had lied about my condition, I was expecting the worse. The Judge, Doctor, and Disability expert were fantastic. The complete opposite of the slimy lying Atos brigade. 2 months ago I won my mandatory reconsideration for ESA, and today PIP. And I have to say a big thanks to this website, as i followed your advice and sent a statement highlighting the areas I felt the tribunal needed to focus on, and that was immediately applauded by the judge, who appreciated that i was trying to save them time. Amazing, i will get standard for daily activity, and enhanced for mobility backdated from july of last year. Any others in the same loop, keep the faith and trust in the impartial tribunal process as it restored a little of my faith in this broken country of ours. Cheers everybody and good luck to you all”

PIP award for ongoing period
“Hello my son has got his decision on pip, enhanced for both care and mobility. I would first of all like to thank you all at B & W for your priceless guides and seemingly endless questions I've asked over the last few months but your advice has been carried out to the letter. Anyone going through the process of ESA or PIP system needs to consult the members guides and follow their advice as without it success is very much stacked against them.”

Won our appeal thanks so much
“Today, despite problems with the Tribunal service administration, we won my son's appeal for standard mobility thanks to your advice regarding how to challenge discrepancies. His dyslexia was had been accepted for the care element but not for it being a problem with planning and navigating journeys. He has been upgraded from O points to 10 . You never fail to deliver. We can't thank you enough.”

DLA to PIP
“I'm writing to join what must by now be a legion of people who have been helped by the contents of this site. I had my much anticipated, much feared, in equal measure, 'brown envelope', on Friday.
I didn't immediately take in that my application had been successful for Enhanced rate for mobility needs but also I'd been awarded Standard rate of Daily living needs with a review date of 2021… Good luck to all those about to embark on their applications and, once again, heartfelt thanks to the compilers of this site.”


DLA to PIP success
“I would like to thank all members and moderators on this forum for solid advice and guides for making a PIP claim. My daughter has just been awarded enhanced PIP for both daily living and mobility.”

Thank you is not enough
“I have just finished the nightmare which is the transition from DLA to PIP! With no support other than your wonderful guides, I have retained my enhanced mobility component and for the very first time got some of the care component. A home assessment with a very rare, empathetic ,med pro and no need this time for a mandatory reconsideration or appeal. To say I am in shock is an understatement. My advice to anyone reading this is to follow the guide to the letter and swallow down any thought of pride or dignity and just do it. Don't assume that the person reading your application knows anything about your life or condition, they are only an administrator. I know that's where I have gone wrong in the past. Thank you Steve and all at BandW”

PIP – A huge Thank You
“Hi [mods] I'm a little lost for words at the moment. I received my award letter and have been given E/R for both components again until 2023. The detailed help on your site was invaluable and thank you doesn't seem enough. But Thank You all.”

PIP Review success
“I would just like to say a big thank you to all at Benefits and Work, I followed your guidance information booklets when completing AR1 PIP. review form. I ticked the relevant question box and completed the information boxes as you suggested. Brown envelope arrived today and again I have been awarded PIP At enhanced rate for ongoing period of 3 years for both mobility and daily living component without the need of attending a face-to-face medical assessment. Big thank to your team for the information you supply which make filling in a complicated form easier to understand.”

PIP success
“After filling out the AR1 form and taking sound advice from the moderators here, My wife has just been awarded The standard rate for daily living and enhanced rate for mobility for 2 years ,all done without the face to face which we were dreading! We cannot thank the moderators enough for the help and support you gave us in our darkest hours! Thank you so much from us both.”

BOOST YOUR PIP AND ESA CHANCES - 20% OFF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP – OFFER ENDS MIDNIGHT FRIDAY, 9 JUNE
Give yourself the best possible chance of getting the right ESA, PIP or DLA decision, whether you’re making a claim, renewing an existing award or asking for a reconsideration or appeal.

Subscribe now and get instant access to all our guides.

If you’re not already a member, join the Benefits and Work community before midnight on Friday and you can get 20% off the cost of your annual subscription.

Just type the following code into the coupon box when you pay: 36599

Claimants and carers get an annual subscription for £15.96, down from £19.95. Professionals get an annual subscription for £77.60, down from £97.00.
Offer ends midnight Friday, 9 June

Good luck,

The Office Team
Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd
Company registration No. 5962666

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