I do most of my Council stuff online via their web portal, also most of my GP stuff via (use to be EMS) https://www.patientaccess.com and book my next hospital app via their online bookings system so bonza! PIP appeals https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-online-service-launched-for-pip-appeals Check area availability as it doesn't cover all areas atm MoJ is also trying and failing atm to launch a PIP appeal via video link service. I've been having a few barnys with NHS services over disability accessibility/adaptation well lack of it. So think this is a good thing? ESA appeals on line https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal England and Wales only Upload your fit note https://www.gov.uk/send-fit-note I think one complaint for all is that is doesn't send you a copy of your submission but you should be copy n pasting to a word doc (or what ever you use) for your own records anyway. Imagine if the fully online Universal Credit service could do that? Well apparently it might do in 2020 (only 6/7/8 who knows years after launch) but you might at present be able to ask your work coach for a 'to do' whereby they can enable a one off upload function on your journal.

Like thousands (100's of thousands?) of other disabled people, I have had my mandatory PIP application refused. I had previously been receiving DLA (middle care, full mobility) for 6 years. On the decision, I was awarded 0 points for all parts. The comments made were either from an assessment for someone else, or were downright lies. I will now have my car, my lifeline to the outside world, taken off me on 13th November. I will only be receiving ESA now, but as the PIP decision says that I am capable of work, I know its only a matter of time before it is taken off me as well. I am totally unable to walk much further than the end of my garden path or driveway. I live off a main road and there is a steep hill from my home to the entrance to our street, making it impossible to use public transport. My wife works, which leaves me at home all day on my own. I have limited use of my left arm and no grip in my left hand. As I need to use a stick to get around, I cannot carry dishes, cups, pots etc. I also suffer from forgetfulness and have left the gas cooker on on several occasions in the past so I can't even prepare a bowl of soup or a cup of tea. I rang and asked for a reconsideration. I went through the different parts with the girl I was connected to, giving her the correct details on what had happened at the assessment. She asked me to get medical evidence from my GP to support the reconsideration, as thinks hadn't been asked for at the time of the application. I can't get an appointment with my GP to discuss this until 15th November. One of the worst aspects of this is that I can't even feel angry, as the antidepressants I take leave me unable to express feelings. what happens next? Has anyone on here from Northern Ireland had to go through this? What sort of waiting time is there for a reconsideration and, ultimately, appeal tribunal?

Hi Guys, Need some help i was on DLA mobility low rate which was due to review December 2019. My GP referred to community health support worker who advised me to apply for PIP as i have high chances getting care and mobility higher rate than low rate mobility due to my mental and physical illness. I was little bit hesitant as i heard a lot of horror stories about PIP rejection rate. Anyways my health support worker rang DWP and arranged a home visit to fill the PIP form. A lady from DWP came to my house on 13th August 2018 and filled all the paper work and contacted DWP to apply for PIP over the phone. The DWP lady also advised that i might receive another PIP form which she advised me to ignore. After 10 days i received new form which i ignored but after 3 weeks i received another letter telling me that they still not received the form. I rang DWP and told that the from already filled by DWP lady after searching on their computer the lady over the phone told me that they got the form but it still not scanned to put on their systems, the lady over the phone also advised that it should be on the system by two weeks and i should contact after two weeks to confirm. After that i was bit relaxed and i totally forgot to ring them back, now i received their letter saying that they rejected my claim is i failed to provide further information. One more thing i never received any further letter from DWP apart from the form which they sent to fill in. The date on the letter is 10th of october and i received the letter on 18th october and i am abroad seeing my parents and coming back 12th of november. The dead line will be finishing 10th of october, i do not know what to do now its not my fault they messed up with my form they also said in the letter that my DLA will be stopped from 23rd october. Thank

I a few months ago applied for PIP for standard mobility only After some agro i finally got a Home visit, And now recieved the decision and report from the unregisters nurse or what ever she was (qualification not known) And it's the ATOS default score of 0 Her report was lies and assumptions, Says that i have no specialist input ( i have seen a surgeon and had a diagnosis and they have a copy of that report) she also claimed that the pain meds aren't strong enough And because i could bend and straighten my legs i don't have any problem moving around, I never reported that i could not bend or straighten my legs at the knee, it only once i bare weight on those joints i get pain, that increases as i walk around, my foot, gives me pain most of the time more so when baring weight , I have stage 4 OA bone on bone contact clearly this stupid moron has no clue

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmworpen/829/82910.htm#_idTextAnchor054 Everyone except DWP has been making each of these points from the outset, shame it's taken Parliament 10 years to catch up.

A friend has been charged £27.56 in service/ call charges when applying for PIP over the telephone. I am aware that Esther McVey had been challenged regarding call charges with 08 numbers and I see that the government website has been changed to 0800 numbers now. However, I cannot see when the website was updated. Is there any chance of claiming these charges back from DWP/PIP as they are extortionate for vulnerable people who do not understand the implications of service charges on top of call charges?

My daughter has moved to Spain in March 2018. She has notified PIP of her new address, will this affect her entitlement at present as we are still in the EU until next March, as I understand it when the beginings of leaving the EU begins?

Hi All, Another post on behalf of my partners sister and farther. Apologies in advance if some of these benefit names have changed and I am calling them the wrong name and for the long post. Background Story; Partners Dad's house that himself and other daughter was living became UN-inhabitable due to a gas explosion next door that blew a hole in the side (https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/a-miracle-escape-from-gas-explosion-at-21-charles-street-in-blackpool-1-8780154) Daughter suffers from moderate Asperger Syndrome and has recently been diagnosed as clinically depressed. She got fired from her job due to not turning up and some conflicts internally that started to escalate (she described it as bullying but I don't think that was the full She got paid out £8k from the job due to being done by the book and they previously had to pay out £40k for a previously fired employee. Her Dad moved into ours whilst she moved into her "partners" Mum's house, her partner is currently a registered carer for his Mum who has now got the onset of dimensia She now has blown through the £8k on material itemswithin the space of 6 months and has no money and no job and claims she can't work due to this depression as unknown people trigger panic attacks but she can attend events like steampunk, real ale events etc filled with unknown people. She is now being prescribed some medication to help with the depression but she has to pay for it, she is constantly now calling her Dad asking for money for these things, he is happy to do it at the moment but solely from necessities. Her Dad also thinks that her partner has also "helped" spend the original £8k payout as he runs an unsuccessful business that is currently £50k+ in debt and can't afford to pay himself. Question; her Dad wants to know what she could be entitled too money / housing wise whilst all this is getting sorted, both house rebuild and depression. She said she applied for JSA but was turned down, there was no proof that she actually went to the Job Center and her story seemed a bit off, we don't think she want's to sign on maybe for sense of pride etc as everyone one else in the family works, but will happily drain her Dad of money and make him pay for her drinks bill etc. She hasn't mentioned anything about seeing if she is entitled to any disability based benefits. Daughter in question is 28 years old and her partner is 47 (I think,) he is a registered carer for his ill Mum, lives at his Mum's home with other family and the Daughter in question, works so many hours a week for his own company but doesn't pay himself as the company has no money and hasn't for years. Any help or advise would be appreciated on how to approach this and again sorry for the long post but I know people are asked for more information on the forum all the time so thought I would try and get as much of it down as possible. Thanks in Advance.

Hello, Thanks for reading. I am a 61 year old male and have been in this country for 55 years. My parents bought me to the UK, I kept my Australian passport as it was easier to visit Australia with my Family and the kids can get dual nationality if wanted. I spent 9 years in the British army and have always lived in the UK and always worked and paid Tax and ni. I have been on DLA for the last 5 years and am receiving my army pension since I turned 60 from the DWP (same people that do DLA and PIP) I have been applying for PIP and they want paperwork on my rights to stay in the UK. I was only 6 when arrived in the country and both parents died 10 years ago. the only proof I have is a stamp in a 40 year old passport that gives me the right to remain in the uk indefinitely. I have used this passport every time I have been abroad (100 times) and not had any problems. Does anyone have an idea how to get round this. Tony

My sister has been getting DLA at £88 per month, I recently filled in her PIP forms with help from her care home and have been informed her payments will be £110 per week. Nothing has changed in her circumstances just wondering how there can be such a difference.

Sent my Wife's PIP forms off about 5 weeks ago. It comprises the form, 12 typed pages of extra information. 6 pages of assessment by consultants, pain management clinics etc. Lastly three pages of photographs of various adaptations to the house. I scanned all documents. I have just received an appointment for a home assessment which we never asked for. Should I be worried? Any advice welcome.

PIP assessments: 'Lack of trust' in benefits systems READ MORE HERE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43058789

This is just a tip for anyone who receives a blue badge because they get tbe Mobility component of PIP. I was on DLA for years up until Nov 2016, when I was transferred to PIP. In the 'old days' with DLA, when you came to renewing your blue badge, you simply completed the application form, enclosed passport photo, ticked the DLA section and sent a photocopy of your DLA award letter (regardless of how old that letter was, as I assume the Blue badge team would check with DWP anyway). I re-applied for my Blue badge to be renewed a few weeks ago. I sent a photo -copy of the most recent document I have from DWP, which is the letter I got in FEB last year informing me of the amount the PIP would increase by from April (annual increase). The reason I did so is because the Blue badge info states that they will only accept proof of PIP from any letter during the LAST 12 months, hence my PIP award letter from NOV 2016 would not suffice. The 'increase ' letter I sent clearly states that I'm on Mobility component and that I'm on it for the next several years and has an end date on it too. To be on Mobility component you have to have scored 10 points in that section. My local Blue badge team rang me to say that they can't accept this letter as 'proof' as it doesn't actually state that I received 10 points. I pointed out that if I hadn't scored 10 points, I wouldn't be receiving the Mobility component in the first place, are they not aware of that fact as they are dealing with this in their job all the time ?. She agreed that this is true but that the only proof they're allowed to accept is a letter dated in the last 12 mths which actually states HOW MANY POINTS I have been awarded and that I need to ring DWP and request that they send me such a letter !. So more damned red tape. I pointed out the fact that when one calls tbe DWP, it can quite often take half an hour queuing simply to speak to them and that even then, they may not actually send you the information for WEEKS which will then delay my Blue badge application and that my badge will probably have expired by then !. This fell on deaf ears. I was told that they (Blue badge teams) all over tbe Country are having to ask 100s of people to do this re the proof !!. Absolute madness. I rang the DWP PIP section and to my surprise, got through within a minute. Spoke to a very helpful man who said he can send me the letter showing my points but with this week's date on and that they are dealing with this request all the time now. Yet MORE time taken up by DWP staff having to do what in my opinion, are un-necessary and avoidable tasks when the previous system worked adequately re Blue badges. Bureaucracy gone mad yet again. WSe will ALL be having to do this every 3 years now when our badges expire.

i get pip standard care for the next 2 years, i am 66 years of age and will be 68 by the time i am called for another f2f, i hate them, what i wanted to know was whether or not i can claim attendence allowance instead of pip aa is paper based so no f2f, when the time comes do i just not bother claiming pip and go for aa,

Is it ok to do this?

I have just had my Mandatory reconsideration turned down and now intend to proceed to a tribunal hearing. However, the decision letter from DWP is dated 18th December but only received today, 27th and says I must appeal within one month from the date of the letter even though it took 9 days to reach me. I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed to get the one month I should be entitled to. I know I can write to them but not sure if this would carry any weight. Thank you.

Recent High Court PIP Judgement Affecting those with Psychological Distress High Court. RF v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2017/3375.html The High Court Judge: - quashed the new regulations because they discriminate against those with disabilities in breach of Human Rights Act 1998 obligations. - declared that the Secretary of State did not have lawful power to make the regulations (i.e. they were ‘ultra vires’) and should have consulted before making them. Yes the Government is going to appeal this Judgement at the Court of Appeal so we will have to wait and see the outcome of that Appeal.

I have mental health problems and alcohol misuse problems. I live with my mum and am soon moving into council supported accommodation for people with substance abuse issues. It's a rehab. I'm in the support group of esa and standard rate of pip. Do you think they'll take me of pip and put me into the wrag group for esa? It's just that I was only entitled to pip it because my mum cooks my food, washes my clothes, prompts me to take meds because I either forget or don't have motivation to take them, she washes clothes, tells me when i need to bathe etc... And also controls my money, pays bills. In supported living I will have to do this myself. I'm extremely worried they're going to take my pip away.

Hi I've just got a letter from HMRC regarding tax credit checks saying that they think my payments maybe wrong. I am on JSA and due to mental health problems applied for PIP taking the advice of my support worker. They want to see all my details,proofs of children living with me and proof of all my job searches since September. There was no change in my circumstances.The only change is my eldest turning 18 in January but continuing non-advanced education. They requested my details from 05/04/17. I have almost all the information they are asking for but receipts of spendings. Should I be worried?Is this a common process?

Hi everyone, My son has a PIP assessment next Tuesday, this will be his third...the first one they failed him but we appealed and went to Tribunal and won, the second (eleven months later ) he passed. We intend to record this time, when I phoned Capita they said that I would have to give them a couple of days notice as they would have to ask the assessor as some " won't allow " a recording. I told them that it sounded a bit arbitrary and that we intended to record. Anyway she noted my son's details and that seemed to be that. When I asked her about what type of recording device we could use she said either cassette or cd would be ok but nothing digital ?, can anyone give me some advice about what type of machine we should use.

Please can someone explain this to me. I have had a decision on my pip after my assessment and they have awarded me but its over £100 less than my original dla payments. We will pay you on 18 January 2018. This money that we owe you from the 27 December 2017 to 17 January 2018. Does this mean I now won't receive my dla payment I was due on 18 December 2017 Also and I know we shouldn't of done it but we recorded the assessment. They've lied in the letter saying he drives when he doesn't know how to and never has drove a car which I have on tape them asking and him telling them he never has driven. and a few other things so they've lowered his money by £130. Not sure if its worth appealing.

Hi all. Been a while since I've been around. Life's gotten hectic. So, I have been referred to the Social Care Team earlier this year, and as part of the package, I was given a Benefits Advisor who convinced me to apply for PIP (which I have avoided, due to the difficulty in qualifying for it). So, I've just survived with my ESA SG. Anyways, I applied for PIP in July, and was given a extremely short notice Assessment date end of October which I cancelled and requested a Home Assessment as I had a severe case of Bronchitis at the time. Surprisingly IAS (Formerly Atos) offered The Home Assessment which took place first week of November. Received decision today Standard Care and Standard Mobility which is all well and good, actually surprised it went so smoothly until this point, was expecting a battle which I would have found hard to fight. Here is the where I need some advice. Having read through their decision, and where I was awarded points, I think I should definitely have been awarded points with descriptors where I was given 0 points, and parts where I think I should have been awarded more points than have been awarded. Obviously, I have one month from date of letter (20/11), but I'm not sure if I should go for the Mandatory Reconsideration? I've read around that there is a likelihood that they could completely remove the award? I've read that their is no actual time limit for them to make their decision, therefore, during the MR, will the current award be paid whilst they go through the process, or does it stop completely until they decide on a verdict? But, I genuinely believe that I should have been awarded more points. A lot of their long winded decision explanation is wrong and very assumptive and I don't think the Nurse HCP who did the assessment gave a realistic picture of the situation, or included in their report important things that I explained during the assessment. If fact, some of my health conditions they needed me spell out as they had never heard of it, understandable as CES is quite rare. Hopefully I can get some advice or viewpoints from others here who have been through the process of PIP and MR. Thanks in advance. Kind regards

Hi I was wondering if anyone can help me claim PIP. Briefly, I have severe mental health issues, whilst I was unemployed for nearly 15 months I was told by a local organisation who were supposed to help me find work (they didnt) that I would be able to claim PIP. They helped me complete an application, which was accompanied by medical notes, had a "medical assessment" by someone who didn't seem to know much more than I did about mental health and my application got rejected. I then asked the local organisation who helped me start the process to help me appeal and they left me to my own devices. Stating because I was no longer using their services they couldn't help me. So without seeking further assistance, I went through the first stage appeal process myself and the claim was rejected. After that I just couldn't face going through the further appeal process etc so gave up. The whole process and the questions asked etc is completely geared towards physical disability and does not really account for the mental and psychological elements. I would like to attempt another application with some better guidance because although I have recently started working again my mental health issues are not going away and I fear that holding onto the job that has taken me so long to get will be difficult. Any guidance would be appreciated and if I have missed anything please let me know. Thanks K

hi hope someone can help i had my pip renewel last tuesday/ i had one 2 years ago lost my mobility but kept standard care element my astmah and artitis was really bad the male receptionist pushed me in on a swivel chair/ the assesor said i could leave and have another appointment if i wanted i said no as i couldnt bear the throught of going back again/ my son was with me, i was in pain with my legs and im sure you could hear my chest weezing /she was very nice and kept asking if i was ok / i am concerned i might get zero points and lose my pip i didnt go for appeal as i couldnt stand the stress of having to explain all over again /i also suffer from anixity/ will the dm look at the assesment i had 2 years ago as it was a different situation and i am a lot worst now/ sorry for long post my assesment was with capita not atos

My partner is due to have a PIP assessment on Tuesday. Does anyone know if your still entitled to the dla payments he normally gets till they make a decision. Another question is would he still get his dla payments if he has to go through an appeal.