He previously had middle rate care and high rate mobility for life. There is no breakdown of the costs and benefits etc, just notice of Housing benefit and council tax benefit awards, neither of which are changing from what they have always been. Then the letter says: 'Full details of the information that has been provided to us by the DWP can be found below: Your PIP Daily Living Component has been awarded Your PIP Mobility Component has been awarded.'

My husband applied for the changeover to PIP 2 months ago and has been waiting for a decision since. Today we have received a letter from the council concerning housing benefit, stating that 'your PIP Daily Living Component/Mobility component has been awarded'. We still haven't heard anything from DWP and my husband has extreme anxiety issues and does not want to phone and chase them. He has hardly slept since all of this has been going on and I just want closure now but he can't bring himself to do it. My question is does anyone have experience of this, and does the particular wording suggest that it is standard award rather than enhanced. Many thanks

My husband was placed in WRAG group for the second time in May 2013. He decided to appeal, decision was upheld and he has since had 2 tribunals both adjourned. The last one advised him to get legal advice as she didn't think there was enough evidence to continue paying ESA at all. Our legal adviser has let us down somewhat, despite having plenty of notice and being emailed the whole bundle of papers back in August, he only went through them (allegedly) on 5th December then advised us to withdraw the appeal immediately as he wasn't confident of retaining ESA (despite telling the Mental Health advocate at an earlier date it was simply a question of getting him moved to Support Group). We emailed the Tribunals people and received the automated response on 6th December. We have since been waiting for official letter stating the tribunal would not be going ahead - tomorrow - but despite 4 phone calls to them we still don't have confirmation it has been withdrawn. The last phone call I was told that instead of the request to withdraw being seen by a duty judge, the last judge at the tribunal asked for it to be specifically she who was contacted should we wish to withdraw. Our legal advisor is at a loss as to why, I have searched many places and can find no other examples of this happening. Can anyone shed any light on why she would insist on being contacted? My husband is in no fit state to be able to attend the tribunal tomorrow, unless I hear I shall be going to the court alone just in case it is heard in his absence for some reason. (It does involve a 3 hour round trip). Any ideas?

A little backgrround: My husband has Borderline Personality Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, query CAM type impingement of hip bones. he was placed into WRAG group upon renewal last May, we appealed which was turned down. Went to tribunal in February, adjourned without any questions being asked for GP records. Then the 2nd tribunal was held yesterday. the GP notes contained letters from the psychiatrist which contained many contradictions and some outright lies. EG he had seen my husband shopping in a superstore 70 miles from home walking normally and talking animatedly. My husband has never been to this shop. he claimed my husband had no need to use the walking stick (he has used it for 20 years, and quite often has to use a mobility scooter), claims he has lied about his symptoms to continue his 'dependence on the welfare state'. He originally diagnosed my husband as having Bipolar, then without us being told he changed this to depression, then severe anxiety, then claimed he was making the whole thing up and after a 2nd opinion has now settled on Borderline Personality Disorder with dysthymia and sociopathic traits. The tribunal judge warned us yesterday to get legal advice as the psychiatrists letters suggest my husband should actually not be on ESA at all. Our MH advocate is trying her hardest to get us some help but I just wondered if anyone had any experience like this or could suggest what if any action we could take. we live rurally and this psychiatrist is the only one who covers our area. Thanks

My husband had his tribunal last week at Caernarfon County Court, in a court room with a judge and doctor sitting on high in the magistrates chairs while we mere mortals were seated lower down in front of them. Very formal, very daunting, kept waiting for 50 minutes to be told (after a 9 month wait) that more medical evidence was going to be requested. PS My husband has extreme mental health difficulties. They knew of this and have now left me dealing with the fall out.

Thanks for that link; however again it says it isnt accurate for students

OK thank you

My daughter is 19 and in her second year at Uni, sharing a student house with her partner, also a full time student. She is 29 weeks pregnant and trying to find out what benefits she will be entitled to (housing benefit and income support) as they are looking to move into their own place. Both receive the full student grant (Wales, around £7000 pa each). Shes had no joy from CAB, all the government benefits checkers exclude students and she is struggling with her health at the moment. Can anyone offer any advice please?

Thankyou for that, much appreciated

Thanks all, at least it seems like I will have chance for the additional evidence to be seen atTribunal, that was my biggest concern that only that sent by DWP would be considered.

Yes but that was at the first instance when he was placed in the Wrag group again. We appealed and have now been turned down at appeal, hence the new question regarding the witholding of the additional evidence.

My husband was again placed in the ESA WRAG group for a further 2 years. We have appealed this decison but today received a letter saying the original decision still stands as no further evidence was submitted and all details have now been passed to Tribunal. However the appeals letter we put in did contain other evidence and the reasons why we feel he should be in the Support Group. We know this was received as it was sent signed for delivery. But all of these details have been omitted from the details sent to the Tribunals and have not been taken into account when looking at the decision again. Whats my position now? I have no idea how I can get my husband to the tribunal as he wont answer the door or phone, let alone travel 90 miles to a tribunal in front of strangers. Can anyone make any suggestions as to my next move please.

We asked a doctor at our practice for a screen print which she refused to do, directing us to reception who would be pleased to handle a request if money exchanged hands. We also asked our GP to sign a form agreeing my husband had a said medical condition which gave us reduced water bills - the GP asked for £25 which I said I couldnt afford. She then said she would not agree to my husbands condition needing excess water (although she agreed he does have the condition stated). Im damned sure if I had paid the fee she would have agreed to it. The last GP we saw didnt even know what ESA was - how are these people meant to be in a position to help us when they are so removed from normal life?

My husband has been placed once again in WRAG group at renewal; however we were not notified of this decision until the JCP advisor rang, and she told us it was for 2 years this time. We requested all of the information held from DWP, upon reading through they state my husband was assessed at a medical - but he has never had one for ESA! Even the JCP lady thinks he should be in Support Group, she advised him to appeal and it was a real shock to see what has been written. So my question is, where do we go from here? Do I add this further information to his appeal or do I keep this back in case its needed at a tribunal? Many thanks

My husband received ESA in the WRAG group but his contributions based ended in April this year. Since then we he has received Income based ESA. He has just been reassessed and has been put into WRAG again for a further 2 years but on the advice of his JCP advisor he is going to appeal to be placed in the Support group. If he is successful, will his money go back to the amount he received previously under contributions based or is that exhausted now, regardless of group he is in? Many thanks