Originally Posted by peanut (Post 35882775)

I'm really sorry to hear that Taf, it is a horrible situation to be in and to get out of when it comes to these crazy decisions. My brother has just been through it and only got 2 points from the assessment interview, but then went through the appeal process and won it, so don't give up hope.

For others going through it or about to I know from experience that it doesn't matter what you put on the forms, if you can't back it up with evidence then you will get called up for an assessment and most probably fail it just because you turn up. And likewise if you can supply as much evidence as possible there's a chance you won't need an assessment.

I don't know if it is a standard procedure but I get a copy of the report every time I see one of my specialists / consultants. These are vital when supplying evidence. So if you don't get reports, then just ask for them. If you see your GP a lot then you can pay to get a copy of your medical records / reports and you can pick out and send them the relevant info as well to help your case.

As already been said, make sure you get everything dated so if and when you do get it sorted, you should get everything backdated without losing out too much.

The hardest part is that there is only one telephone number for ESA etc now, so you never get to speak to the same person twice, and to actually get through to someone ends up costing a small fortune and they don't seem to be very helpful either.

Good luck with it, do not give up.

Originally Posted by Osem (Post 35882678)

Just get the letter done and send it special delivery then ring to check they've got it. I can understand how you're feeling but nobody's appeal is going to be rejected down to an argument over a couple of days here/there when everyone knows how slowly DSS stuff takes to be sent out and delivered. You should cover yourself by contacting them ASAP and explaining when you received the letter to buy yourself a bit more time if you need it.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/be...consideration/

Originally Posted by Taf (Post 35882531)

The lad hasn't seen a GP for his disabilities ever, and no specialist has seen him since he entered "Adult Service" (budget cuts). The last time he saw a GP was over a year ago for a minor ailment. Plus our GP has changed so often in the past few years that there is no continuity of "personal Knowledge" at all.

Still waiting on the DWP phone to answer.

---------- Post added at 12:45 ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 ----------

The PIP letter has a write up (by a male despite his being interviewed by a very young woman) that reads like it was written by a 10 year old.

The report says they cannot consider his problems with shopping, shaving or walking on uneven surfaces and slopes. And because he moved 10 paces from the waiting area to the interview room he is considered fully mobile!

Originally Posted by peanut (Post 35883554)

When my brother failed their assessment his money stopped just about straight away. When he won his appeal it took them 5 months to reinstate his money. Okay it was backdated, but it was a really tough 5 months till he got it. The DWP are totally useless in every aspect.

Originally Posted by Taf (Post 35883558)

Yes, my son's money stops after 4 weeks (dated from the date of their letter, not the date we got it of course). Ditto free car tax, so I'll have to put a SORN on the car rather than pay for all of February instead of the last week only. And the Carers Allowance stops too of course. £8 too much in private pensions means no Income Support, full rent and poll tax. So we lose £62.10 in Carers Allowance but have to pay £392 in rent and poll tax per month. A £700+ pa hole in our finances all told. :shocked: