My DLA to PIP journey

[Nystagmite]

So, I complained to Atos and DWP about how the assessment was carried out. Not heard anything from DWP yet.

 

Atos pretty much told me to send medical evidence that I have the issues I say I have. I sent evidence in from my GP stating I'm partially sighted, a letter from ENT stating I have problems with my hearing and a letter from a previous GP which states I have issues communicating.

 

What a waste of time!

 

They just told me if there are two parts where are contradictions, (ie, she claimed she saw me read a letter which is font size 12 and I've said I can't read that - I passed it to my friend) to provide evidence. Um, she did an eye test on me. She pretty much confirms (after questionning whether I am really am registered as partially sighted) in the sight tests done that my vision is as severe as I say it is.

 

I think I'm going to get more sense from a brick wall, aren't I?

[fletch70]

I think you will get more sense from a brick wall, all I can suggest is stay strong and go through the process, MR then appeal. Stay strong

[Nystagmite]

So, MR deadline is Friday. Something was sent by me (no medical evidece; just a letter outlining why their decision was wrong) when I received their decision at tht end of October. Evidence was sent last week which hasn't, according to the Royal Mail website been received yet. Does it matter if that's received late?

 

In the oriiginal phone call, they asked if I wanted them to use the evidence from my DLA claim, which they clearly haven't. It's meant paying for evidence ((I've moved since then and have no idea what I've done with it) they probably already have.

[fletch70]

I would give them a call and see if the letter has been received. You might even get an answer over the phone if one has been made

 

Was it sent signed for or special delivery?

 

Signed for is notorious for not recording delivery on the website

[Nystagmite]

It was sent signed. But it's still showing as in the system and not signed for. It was sent Friday.

[fletch70]

It was sent signed. But it's still showing as in the system and not signed for. It was sent Friday.

 

It really is quite common for signed for mail to never show as received, this is particularly so if a PO box. I often use signed for and on a decent proportion, they never show as being received yet I get replies from them. As its Wednesday today i would give them a call if you can to see if it has been received. If you can't call them and can afford it , send another copy tomorrow special delivery - that is more likely to get a signature ....but a phone call is much better

[Nystagmite]

Thanks.

 

Just phoned and they've not received it yet. He's put a note on my file asking for them to wait until they've received my evidence.

[fletch70]

Ok

Try not to worry , it can take days for the paperwork to get on the system

 

Just for peace of mind it may be worth posting another set of papers tomorrow with a cover note

[mrpopperspenguins]

Every time I have rang them about a letter showing as signed for on the PO site, they tell me it has not been logged into their system - then oddly enough the next day it suddenly arrives and they tell me they are writing to me with the result, on a couple of occasions they have even told me the outcome over the phone.

I think the people on the phone maybe give out the same standard answer when nothing else shows up on their screen.

[Nystagmite]

Thanks. It showed up as signed 5 minutes after coming off the phone.

[mrpopperspenguins]

Thanks. It showed up as signed 5 minutes after coming off the phone.

 

Strange that isn't it? - Good reason as to why we have to make sure we have proof of posting or else it would be lost forever.

[Nystagmite]

Still waiting on result. Have tried phoning ESA for almost 2 weeks now to say DLA to PIP hasn't been successful. Finally got through this afternoon and now have an overpayment of severe disability premium. (for anyone who isn't aware, some mobile networks include the 0345 number in your inclusive minutes)

[Nystagmite]

Still waiting. Getting fed up now. Going to have to phone up on Tuesday to find just what's going on. Tempted to see what their response to my complaint is too.

[Nystagmite]

Just phoned and have been awarded standard care and enhanced mobility. Should be the other way around; but will leave it at that.

[reallymadwoman]

Congrats. I can see why you won't be querying it.

 

How long til your review?

[Nystagmite]

Not sure yet. Letter was sent out just before Christmas but don't have it yet and I forgot to ask.

[reallymadwoman]

Hopefully it's indefinite, but more likely 3 years as that seems to be the default.

[Nystagmite]

I have an ESA overpayment due to DLA stopping and me forgetting to inform them / having trouble getting through, which has taken them until Tuesday to contact me about. Overpayment department know nothing about it and told me to phone ESA and ESA are telling me to phone overpayments.

[speedfreek]

Edit thought something was a bit......

 

You got awarded Standard care which comes with SDP so not sure what the issue is?

 

Is this an SDP/other premium added to ESA that's continued?

 

If so whilst it's polite to inform them once you notice - it should have stopped automatically - therefore official error due to maladministration.

 

I'd call the DLA helpline inform them of it and ask their advice.

 

They tend to be quite nice about things so will do something to stop it and or tell you who to contact which will be the benefit paying it so ESA again.

 

I had 3 months of SDP continuance when I was bumped to LRC for 6 months until I won my DLA appeal.

 

Got a bit paranoid about it but after a couple of calls to both DLA and ESA and when it still failed to stop another couple the last lady just said not to worry official error.

 

But those were the carefree days of 2012! I know the DWP will try and recover everything now; but you are at no fault here so might get lucky? Plus have a good case for discretion on terms of pay back/write off which still exists amazingly.

 

Overpayments will not know about it until informed by ESA. Until they contact you officially by letter there is no overpayment.

[Nystagmite]

I don't get the issue either.

 

PIP was stopped November 4th and for various reasons, couldn't inform them until a few weeks later. I didn't find out until Tuesday that I had been awarded PIP backdated until when it was stopped. But it has taken ESA until Tuesday to write to me. PIP have informed me the decision was made just before Christmas.

 

I am still entitled to SDP.

 

When I phoned up the debt management earlier, they did say they couldn't find me on the system and to phone up next week. ESA told me to speak to debt management.

[speedfreek]

Sounds like somebody has their wires crossed.

 

Originally it sounds like you were ported from DLA to PIP - but at a lower or zero award for care. You appealed won and this was backdated to the DLA to PIP conversion?

 

I'm confused!

 

Keep all paper work just in case and don't do anything more until a letter officially stating you owe anything arrives.

 

I doubt it will once somebody rubs 2 brain cells together but this is the DWP were talking about so it might take a little time for everything to up date correctly.

[Nystagmite]

Originally, I was on MRC and LRM DLA. I was then transferred and scored 4 points on care and 0 on mobility. I then asked for a reconsideration where I'm now on standard care and enhanced mobility. I've received the backpay to when this was stopped.

 

I've already had the letter stating I owe them money. But they can't find me on the system to say that I owe them money.

[Nystagmite]

I had a really strange conversation with PIP yesterday:

 

I phoned on the 3rd to find out what was going on with my claim and was told a letter would be in the post and the money would be in the next day. I've received the money with no problems.

 

Still no sign of the letter and I've had no problems receiving any post.

 

My address has for some reason been changed to a government building. I was asked if I have an appointee which I don't.

 

I've now got to phone back next week to see if this has been sorted.

 

Rather concerned that someone other than me has managed to access my claim.

[Nystagmite]

I've found out who it was and I am not impressed. I had someone fill in my forms for me. (I refuse to say the word help because they messed my form up) I only know because I finally received my award notice this morning and in it, was a cover to them stating "we understand that you represent Miss **** *** ******* " (me) which they don't.

 

I've read the award notice and the whole thing is really bizarre:

I've always received lower mobility because whilst I can walk, I need supervision outside. Now, if you read my report, form and evidence, you can see that I can walk; but need supervision and an aid whilst outside. This would still get me lower mobility. (I'm borderline for higher mobility) Somehow, DWP have come to the conclusion I can't walk any further than 1 metre; but have no problems planning and following a route of a journey.

 

Call me paranoid here; but I'm slightly concerned that someone may see me walking (currently limping due to a fall) and decide that I'm clearly lying. Except, I'm not lying. Someone has just come to a really strange conclusion and if you look at the evidence supplied and my DLA claims, (and if you're bored enough, google the conditions I have) you'd know the decision was wrong in the sense that I can walk.

[coggy67]

 

Call me paranoid here; but I'm slightly concerned that someone may see me walking (currently limping due to a fall) and decide that I'm clearly lying. Except, I'm not lying. Someone has just come to a really strange conclusion and if you look at the evidence supplied and my DLA claims, (and if you're bored enough, google the conditions I have) you'd know the decision was wrong in the sense that I can walk.

 

Trust me, im the king of paranoia, but i wouldnt worry about this. Had something similar to this in that the assesor decided i could walk less than i stipulated on the form (admittedly i was having a terrible day at the assesment, having to cling to walls). Being a former member of the infamous "Atos Zero points club", just embrace everything that goes your way.....