Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I still have trouble getting the dwp to send me letters in he right format - I just don't trust them one bit.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Sorry to hear about that dilli but alas l cannot say l am surprised.

Have you received your PIP letter yet? as in the next 2 years they will be contacting those who were awarded DLA indefinitely.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Not yet, soon enough I bet.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

If they don't take your disability needs into account by failing to make the required adjustments, you can use the 2010 Equalities Act to force them.

If you need any help in doing this, the Equalities & Human Rights Commission can help you. I'm pretty sure that the RNIB will have people experienced in this area too.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

It is in the DWP handbook that they are now to assume people have aid's regardless if they actually have the aid's or not. They are also supposed to exempt people from the aid's check tho if they provide proof of good reasoning to not be using such aids, such as medical reasons or unsuitability where they live, however these exemptions are for the most part not been made hence one of the reasons the DWP is losing so many tribunal cases.

One would think the DWP and NHS talk to each other, e.g. to see if someone claiming to have a problem has even seen their GP about it (shockingly these kind of checks are typically not made). Another reasoning been if a DWP assessor says person A can mobilise with X set of aid's then it should be logical a letter goes out to the NHS to supply these aid's, however nothing of the sort happens. The aid thing is a pretty dangerous game they playing e.g. I have many doctor's and physios tell me a wheelchair is a last resort as it effectively sets your body to rot always been in a sitting position, the NHS pushes hard for people to exercise as much as possible and they dont want people to be in a wheelchair unless they have no ability to mobilise at all without one, even if someone can walk say 5 metres, that may be enough for doctor's to avoid a wheelchair. However the DWP work on an opposite ideology where they think everyone who has walking problems, should be using wheelchairs. When a tribunal is faced with this conundrum they should side with the NHS doctors which I believe is what typically happens but even with all these lost cases the DWP persist with their policies.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I have been forewarned that "historical evidence" including old letters from specialists, GP's and consultants is often ignored. Our twins have had no access to specialists for their conditions since moving to the Adult Service, mainly due to a lack of manpower. So up to date reports are not going to happen. This may well go against them in the decision process.

Our son's PIP forms arrived this morning... 40 pages of hell AFAIC.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Here is some good advice Taf from a former PIP Disability Assessor and all l can say is evidence is certainly very important whether its older or newer evidence.

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_bei...h-claiming-PIP

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Excellent link den.

---------- Post added at 15:32 ---------- Previous post was at 15:29 ----------

Good luck Taf with filling out this form, I agree it is a complete nightmare!
I hope you can get advice and help when filling it out.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Got our DLA - PIP letter a few days ago. Called several times yesterday but the system was down so in the end someone took our number and promised a 48 hour call back. I've just had that call and spoke to a very understanding lady who took down various details and answered a couple of questions of mine. I was told that we should get a form to fill out in about 2 weeks and that an assessment appointment might not be necessary depending on the information/reports they're able to gather along with anything we provide. I'm fully aware that completing the form will be an onerous task, but it has to be done and I'm not going to be panicked into any sleepless nights just yet. The lady I spoke to couldn't really have been more polite or helpful so please everyone don't go approaching this process with an attitude before it's even started. When it comes to the forms, give as much information as you reasonably can even if you don't have lots of recent medical reports to provide. Being anxious, frustrated or even rude isn't going to make matters easier and may just come across as being obstructive. It'll be interesting to see how forum members feel their claims have been dealt with and whether things were quite as bad as they'd been led to believe. Time will tell no doubt.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

l hope things go well for you Osem as yes l myself have been preparing myself for quite a while now gathering all the relevant medical letters and other information as l expect its just a matter of time before l get my letter but yes its certainly important to keep calm and focused as losing ones rag is not a good thing in my book.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

For those who will be filling out these forms just a couple of things answer all questions based on your worst days not your best and don't allow your pride prevent you fully explaining your condition and the limitations that affect you everyday. I was guilty of the second of those for many years as i had trouble dealing with what i couldn't do anymore much less detail it for a stranger but i was fortunate in my atos assessment to get a fully qualified doctor with a familiarity with my condition who saw through my pride answers.

As Osem said don't enter the process with an attitude or predetermined "I'm gonna fail" view as most of the people in the system genuinely want to help and get you the benefits your entitled too. They like us are constrained by a badly thought out and implemented system that wasn't designed to be fair but to cut as many people as possible.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I have reciently won the level of pip back that i was on when on DLA during the mandatory reconsideration. On the medical report i asked for a copy they marked me down needing help to wash off ointments for psoriasis because on the day of my medical i was seen to wipe sweat from the back of my neck....

The whole thing including appeal to reconsideration took almost 16 weeks.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Hot on the heals of the sensible decision to stop pointlessly putting the most severely disabled through the Work Capability Assessment is some rather less welcome news.

A green paper has been published regarding the consideration of ALL sick & disabled people being required to take part in mandatory work related activity as a condition of receiving benefit:

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com...support-group/

This would include everybody in the ESA Support Group (even the terminally ill).

I urge those opposed to this to make their views known.

You can do this via a questionnaire here:

https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/workandhealth/consult/

Or let the DWP know your views here workandhealth@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

This is very good advice - don't be brave/stiff upper lip British - this benefit is to support your additional needs due to your/your dependants disability, which means at the worst times, not the best.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

How would that effect someone with agoraphobia?

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

If this policy is adopted as it stands, it appears that there won't be any exemptions. Utterly ridiculous.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

There will be exemptions as he has stated after a consultation has taken place.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

This is why its essential that people with varying disabilities (and their carers) need to make their views known during the consultation period.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Indeed its very important that as many as possible makes their views known during the consultation period.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I expect the mandatory side of it would be very hard to enforce, mandatory can range from just having to speak to the jobcentre on the phone up to having to do a work placement, I dont think they will get very far trying to enforce the latter.

I do think that work is good for self confidence, providing one is able to do that work with confidence and without feeling they are not capable (e.g. colleagues repeatedly having to cover their tasks due to illness getting in the way).

What I find a complete joke is the claim work is good for your health, I have done 5 years of working in a factory, and the type of work I was doing was most definitely not good for my health and is actually a big reason I have the problems I have today. Then there is stress, stress is very bad for your health, and two big causes of stress are work related issues and of course worried about financial security. Someone been threatened with sanctions is only going to go on the defensive and will be less willing with the fear they will appear more able and lose what they have.

I strongly hate government's claiming enforcement, sanctions etc. as been called support. A comparison would be claiming someone who has been sentenced to death is been "supported" its ridiculous.

There was a tribunal case about 4 years ago, the claimant had severe mental problems, fully diagnosed, consultant evidence etc. A tribunal had originally sided with the DWP stating that the claimant could do work activity with the right support and so upheld the decision to place in the work related activity group. This then went to the upper tribunal level in a second appeal and then it was decided that the tribunal got it wrong, the reasoning given was that the DWP had not explained what support they would offer and how they could guarantee enough support would be given, the DWP was asked by the commissioner what level of mental health qualifications did their advisors have in assisting mentally ill claimants, he got a reply saying "none", it was then a black and white decision and because there was no evidence actual proper support would be provided he ruled the claimant was to be put in the support group.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

'Consultation' by the Govt. usually means we've decided what we're going to do and its not going to be popular. Give people a few months to have a rant , take any few bits out of the consultation we like and ignore the rest. Then proceed as planned saying we've fully 'consulted'.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Let's face it, consultation or not, managed support or not, level of distribution, qualification etc some people will never accept that the Government is trying to administer the system fairly both for recipients of benefits AND contributors to the funding.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

They trying to give that impression, but the most recent reforms tend to come with a cost cut target.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Well they ain't doing the assessment's very well according to yet another former Work and Pensions Secretary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37900898

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Every former Work and Pensions Secretary who has resigned following alleged suggestive texts sent to a young woman, is entitled to an opinion ;).

Like I said, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Mr Crabb had his chance to improve the things he isn't happy with but blew it.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The alleged suggestive texts have absolutely nothing to do with this thread as they are not relevant and have nothing to do with the comments and criticisms he made about the PIP assessment's.

l agree you can't please everybody all the time but its important the government takes on board the constructive criticisms made about PIP and ESA even within their own party but one suspects as before they will just pay a generic lip service to it and carry on regardless.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The measure of a man is not in what he says but in what he does.

Besides, if he hadn't resigned he might have delivered the system of assessment he feels claimants deserve.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

He is entitled to his views even though he is not in government just like you are , l am and anybody else is and measuring a person just because he did not do anything while he was there is a bit unfair in my view.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I did say he's entitled to his opinion, especially when he says exactly what you want to hear.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Whether its what l want to hear or not his and other peoples constructive criticisms should be taken on board to improve the quite clearly flawed processes of PIP but one suspects they will carry on regardless and closes their ears and eyes to the constructive criticisms of the PIP system unless you think the current PIP system is fine and dandy.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

A system that is fair and minimally stressful for applicants would be fine and dandy.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The full programme can be seen here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080ysnh

It also includes an assessor who resigned after having his reports that were deemed too favourable to claimants returned for him to amend .

He felt unable to continue as this was compromising his integrity as a nurse.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

this goose is running out of golden eggs;) this thread should be renamed the bum twitching thread , oh and i agree a fair system for all.. including contributors to the pot ie if your getting benefits you better deserve them as someone else is paying .

The bum twitching thread
 

That has a nice ring to it :).

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Just had our Pip form today. At first glance it looks a lot more straightforward than the DLA forms we filled out but I'll have more comment when I've gone through them.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Put as much info in there as you can in there Osem and don't be afraid to use lined pater to write down even more information if you need too and medical evidence is very important as you know anyway and remember the eligibility for PIP is based upon the practical effects of a condition on a person's life on a daily basis rather than the condition itself.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Disabled people react to the suggestion that every disabled person should aim towards getting a job:

http://www.disabledgo.com/blog/2016/...o-green-paper/

To those who don't care because they or theirs aren't disabled, how do you know you won't have an accident one day? How do you know you won't wake up feeling very odd, only to find you've had a stroke in the night? Then there's the big C; about half of us will get cancer in our lifetime.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Received Jnr #2's award notice today quite out of the blue. No need to attend any interview and we're very happy with the award under which he's quite a lot better off than DLA. So glad we decided not to spend our time worrying about it all unnecessarily. Yes there are problems and mistakes but I reckon there's a whole lot of scaremongering around too and that helps nobody.

Anyway we're very happy for him indeed. :)

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The lad's interview was going well until the interviewer (in her very early 20's) announced we were almost out of time.

Then things started getting rushed I thought.

And when it got to the mobility part she flew through it. "Can you walk 200 metres?"

"Yes but......"

Too late, she had already clicked the button and didn't add anything after that.

Stitched up? We'll see.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

That is excellent news Osem.:tu:

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Thank goodness for the Labour party and the welfare state, I'm sure we'd all agree ;)

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Strangely enough, the first parts of the welfare state were started by Asquith and the Liberal party in 1908 (Old Age Pensions Act) and in 1911 (National Insurance Act), and Beveridge was a Liberal, so you may wish to thank them as well... ;)

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Just because it's gone alright for you doesn't mean that it's the same for everyone.

There's no need for scaremongering from anybody; the facts speak for themselves.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

He never said it was the same for everybody else as he said its important for one to keep a calm and steady perspective with regards to DWP and the benefit claiming system so if there is any scare mongering then you would be the expert at that.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I can see an appeal needing to happen here. It's what you do in the meantime though Taf, it'll be a struggle on reduced income but I hope you get through it to a successful resolution.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Correct Den. :tu:

Still waiting for those 'facts' all these months later. That's all we need to know mate - some folks just like lying and scaremongering, maybe it makes them feel important... :D

---------- Post added at 20:08 ---------- Previous post was at 20:04 ----------

I agree but it may not come to that. If it does, some advice from charity groups and the likes of the CAB would be useful.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Correct Osem that is if the review that happens first is successful. As to the CAB etc, sound advice.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

l have used CAB and DIAC before and they are excellent with advice.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

We found Mencap very helpful and even if there's not a local branch the same advice will apply. There'll probably be other charities who'll be able to advise on this matter and be able to feed back their experience in PIP claims.

We know this isn't an easy process but there is good help and advice out there.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I would ask you to give examples of where I have done any "scaremongering".

I suspect, however, that you would ignore the request as is usually the case when called out on the nonsense that you post all over the forum, much of it being totally fence sitting vacuousness.

The latest PIP problem to rear it's ugly head is the logging of returned PIP forms.

The software is not logging many returned forms, even those sent by recorded delivery, resulting in some claimants getting erroneous "you have not returned your PIP form" letters.

For others, the first time that they are aware that a problem exists is when another benefit such as Housing Benefit is reduced or stopped as a result.

Meanwhile, the DWP are doing their usual "stick your head in the sand" approach and are simply advising those affected to appeal.

More stress and worry is created for the sick & disabled and in the meantime the original form received ends up being processed because it was received in time...

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Only January 2nd and already a contender for 'post of the year' ;)

Cheers

Grim

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

No examples have been provided, which is telling in itself.

Have you got anything relevant to contribute to this thread?

Nearly 2/3 of people transferring from DLA to PIP who were initially turned down are allowed it upon appeal, so I strongly urge those refused PIP to appeal.

It is believed that the bad attitude and lack of training of those sent out to assess people is playing a major part in this.

Some examples are:

- Fiona Ensall's 16 year old daughter Abigail has clear complex physical and learning difficulties One of the questions was "do you wear incontinence pads?". The girl did not know what an incontinence pad was, so said "I don't know". The inappropriate response was "surely you know if you wear incontinence pads dear". The girl began to get confused, to which the assessor started saying "come on, we need an answer to this"! This was despite her going blue/grey due to the effects of oxygen deprivation due to one of her conditions.

- A man who suffers from Huntingtons disease was giving incorrect information as part of his condition. His doctor wrote a letter to Susan Fletcher (his wife/carer) stating that Huntingtons is a very life limiting condition, that people are likely to say that they can do things that they can't and that it would be better to obtain the information from his wife/carer.

The assessor was asked and confirmed that she had knowledge of Huntingtons disease at the start.

The man incorrectly stated that he took the dogs out in the car the week before, which the woman wrote down as fact! The doctor's letter appears to have been unilaterally ignored.

An ex assessor (Occupational Therapist) has told Radio 4 that she "failed the audit test" because she took too long in trying to find out the true way that a persons disability affected them (which was supposed to be the whole point of these tests).

After four and a half months she left because she could not work in the way that they wanted her to eg changing her reports.

Assessors are also under pressure and can make more money by doing more and more assessments, so the quality goes down, for example checks about conditions weren't done to speed things up.

This whistleblower also said that many assessors had a "all sick/disabled people are slackers" attitude, referred people to fraud based upon the most flimsy evidence and prejudiced attitude.

Often, those who don't normally go out are simply regarded as liars because "they are here today in the assessment centre aren't they"?

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

How about this one.
People on Carers Allowance to be studied more closely.

The girl would or should have been accompanied.

Huntingdon's is a progressive condition, the symptoms vary greatly, and there are some treatments to alleviate some of the symptoms. So not a simple "I have this, therefore I can't do that".

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

what they should have done was got a power of attorney done before hand. ( i point out this isn't because i think they have a responsibility to do so but because its the best way to defend yourself in this situation) . As soon as i had the change over notification we applied for this ( we did both medical and financial though medical one is likely all that's required). This gave us two benefits one instead of doing any telephone interview which i find hard often as i am often out of breath and it can take me a while to hear people on the phone properly. So they had to deal with my wife. then two at the interview ( which i did at home ) at any point I could hand over to her or she could ( in their situation ) take over to act as him which as she would have the legal right to do they would have to take her answer. I would also as i did insist on the interview being recorded.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Our interviewer wanted specific dates for things that happened decades ago. That was alarming. If we had been prewarned I could have at least made a rough list of dates, occasions and incidents. She also had no real grasp of arithmetic as she almost put down that my son had an op "as a toddler" in 2006 (and not 1996) when I told her it happened "20 years ago".

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Fingers crossed Taf that all goes well for your son and he gets the award he needs. I hope and pray that happens then all the worry will be over. Remember if you do need to make a appeal get a copy of the medical report and seek advice from CAB etc.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

That was not "scaremongering". This was made perfectly clear in the thread and I'm surprised that you're trying to do the dirty work on behalf of the stirrers in here.

Abigail Ensall was accompanied by her mother, it was her that had to intervene to stop her daughter from being harmed due to oxygen problems and being further exposed to inappropriate questioning and an appalling attitude.

Re: Huntingdon's Disease. The point is that the assessor did not know as much about the condition as was claimed and the doctors letter was wholly ignored- the questions were still directed to Mr Fletcher.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Careful Nomadking or you will get one of these threats, like I did. LOL

A further screenshot has been taken should I need to take matters further.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

This thread is designed to help members, many who either have severely debilitating illnesses and disabilities (like myself) or care for those that do.

It's really disappointing that all you appear to want to use it for is to stir things up to continue your attempts to harass me as a disabled person.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

it was others who had to point out that it was scaremongering, not you. You kept insisting it wasn't.

Can't find any other reference to that story.

All the doctor did was comment on the generality of the condition. As the symptoms can vary greatly and it could be in the early stages, the impact could be less. It is the impact that they are looking at.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

But not severely debilitating that allows you to work, attend late night dinner functions with the rich and famous CEOs of broadcasting with accompanying many whiskey sessions it enjoys :shrug:

You don't help yourself Richard

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

above just shows the attitude and why people need to be aware when attending or answering questions as the person asking may have the same attitude

the whole point of pip and dla formally was to allow people with disabilities to get around and or work on a slightly ( and i mean slightly as there still remain huge differences )

Just because we have the temerity to leave the house and eat or do some work does not mean we are not in pain while doing that or that we wont pay later with even more pain and discomfort

these benefits are supposed to help with that not be there only because some of us cant do them

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

if that's to me i would have to say its on the topic of worrying news

If you have as I have done gone through this process of changing over it is not for quite a few an easy or fair

Lots of the questions do not reflect the rule they are asking about and often the person asking doesn't really know what they are asking about either ( and that's me being diplomatic as a few are positively trying to trip people up or just lie about answers you give)

i will just so some may learn ( i may have mentioned this in other threads ) mention just 1 question one that in real terms decides if your worthy of a car ( mobility component )

you are asked Can you stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided.

the rules this applies to though is not mentioned this needs to be answered as yes but fails to mention that this is supposed to be something you can do more than once in a reasonable time and with out pain.

I quote from another place



"On 1 February 2013, the government agreed to amend the proposed rules so that the assessment of PIP eligibility should take account of whether the claimant can not just complete an activity, such as walking 20 metres, but do this:

• Safely
• Reliably
• Repeatedly, and
• In a reasonable time period."

however some of the assessors seem unaware or just ignore this and as of last form i have seen is not mentioned in it.


so if a persons who have the attitude you can leave the house and work you cant be severely disabled could be assessors I would say it is something you should worry about and be forearmed for.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Exactly.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The magic word in that list is "AND". It would appear that some assessors think it is "OR".

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

You've hit the nail on the head, which is why those turned down should always appeal.

The whole system is a farcical mess, driven by a lot of people working in it with the repugnant, discriminatory and baseless assumptions that the severely disabled are all too used to.

If karma does actually exist, it would be an excellent learning tool for some individuals.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

sad but true and prepare for appeal on you way through assessment too you might head off the need to as well ( forewarned is forearmed )

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Found a useful piece of info today.

They keep going on about mobilizing and about if you have some difficulty walking then it might be reasonable to use a wheelchair, even keeping it at the workplace. They insist they are easily obtained from a local NHS wheelchair service. Well guess what, it's not as easy as that.that combined with this
means that it is NOT reasonable to use a wheelchair solely for work. If you can walk enough to get around your home, you can't get a wheelchair.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

the wheel chair bit is really silly as even if you can mobilize in one that's if you have the strength in your upper body it doesn't mean that its going to be pain free or that you can get in an unadapted car. which is the main point of the allowance to get you able to get to places and work if able.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

The wheelchair thing is about ESA, not DLA/PIP.

The DWP have tried to make it much more difficult to qualify for ESA on mobility grounds.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

sort of the ESA ask about roughly the same thing but still has the 50m rather than 20m thing the worrying bit there is that many answering that may put them selves with an up hill struggle with PIP as it again fails to mention the Safely reliably thing and if you answer it with out qualifying your answer with that you can only do this occasionally during the day or that even with aids you are in pain it can be brought up on PIP.

so yes that is ESA but its something you need to think about for your claim for PIP at the same time.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I know someone who had the appeal but an hour before the hearing citizens advice phones to say that the judge wanted more evidence and the hearing had been adjourned. They were also advised to withdraw the appeal as they had a high chance of losing other parts of the PIP claim that they had already been awarded. In my eyes this was a threat. The advice was from the judge given to citizens advice.
So after being awarded indefinite DLA with the mobility component and having it for 12 years, they now have gone through so much that they withdrew the appeal as the risk was too high to lose everything. So when people talk of it being easy to appeal it is definitely not. They don't make it easy, there is hardly any advice and you have to be lucky to get a nice judge.

They now have no car and require help from family to get to places.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I had a phonecall today, not from the DWP but from the assessing company Capita. They wanted specific dates of specific events. They didn't want the actual date, but "beginning or end of the month will suffice".

Are they writing my son's biography?

I told them I have no records, but the DLA unit will have it all.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

yep I have mentioned this several times on the internet, think at least once on this forum.

Basically the DWP hasnt a clue how the NHS works they just making up their own rules to achieve a financial and political target.

Basically for a number of years now ESA claimants have been assessed as if they were using aid's they do not have access to, this is simply wrong. When PIP was introduced one of the key changes is they adopted the same rules for mobility on that as well. Ok "lets pretend this person has a wheelchair".

If anyone is deemed able because of a magic wheelchair conjured up by an assessor at least on ESA there is grounds for appeal tho as there is a overuling factor which is that if a ESA decision is deemed to be a danger to the claimant then they qualify for ESA (WRAG group), and if its also deemed a danger for others around them then they qualify for the support group.

The government's response to the really high number of successful appeals was to make it harder to appeal.

Of all the changes in ESA and PIP in the past 5 years or so, mobility has been the area they have targeted for cuts the most, although its not the only area.

To try and save money, just before christmas I had to goto the post office to send something off, and I thought I will see if I can walk there and back and save on taxi fares, I can tell you when I got there, I was in so much pain I was leaning heavily on the counter just so I could stay on my feet without collapsing and when I ordered the taxi outside for the return journey I would have collapsed whilst waiting (no benches or anything else to sit on) if I didnt goto the neighbouring betting shop and sat down on one of their chairs, luckily I didnt get kicked out for loitering.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Thanks for this, i'll pass this onto a welfare rights charity that I support.

Reading the additional problems caused to disabled people by this Government makes me want to weep.

The attempts to undermine the disabled and turn people against them by the Cameron administration certainly did work; attacks on the disabled are on the increase, both online and actual physical attacks.

I know of a young lady who was pushed to the ground and kicked in Blackpool just before Christmas. The reason? She was blind and had some learning difficulties.

I was hoping for a change of attitude from May after she made the sensible decision to exempt those who will never get any better from constant testing and retesting, but it looks like nothing else will improve eg ALL those who aren't exempt will be expected to take part in some form of work related activity!

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

May has an ongoing consultation in regards to disability and it's effects and many of those she picked to form are people with practical experience of disability and how it affects people. Cameron and osbourne had an horrendous agenda and they had progressed it considerably it's going to take time for the improvement to come. She signalled her intention with the end to testing for those with incurable or conditions that won't improve and that was a bifg step. Another thing everyone has to remember is keep a polite attitude when dealing with people in the system it will get you more then venting.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

3 letters arrived this morning, 27th January.

PIP application for my son refused (2 points for daily living, 4 for mobility) wef 12th October 2016. DLA stopped wef 21st February 2017).

Carers Allowance stopped wef 21st February.

ESA stopped, he must apply for Jobseekers Allowance immediately.

Free Car Tax stopped, car to be fully taxed from 21st February.

I have been trying to telephone them to demand a review, but they haven't answered the phone yet.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Hope you manage to resolve it. Seems grossly unfair and stressful. :(

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

With ESA, if you get the mandatory reconsideration out of the way, you can appeal to a Tribunal as long as you can get sick notes from your GP. If you do that, you will get assessment rate of ESA until the Tribunal hearing. Make sure that the GP sets the start date of the sick note to the day ESA stopped. That will leave no gaps in entitlement and payment.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

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!

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Sorry to hear this, you need to get some advice on this Taf. There are various charities which would be able to help even if they're not in your area. We found Mencap very helpful but there will be others possibly more relevant to your son's particular issues.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Mencap said they "couldn't help in individual cases". Ditto 2 Aspergers charities.

His ex-consultant said that they should carefully read his last letter to them, but DWP said the letter is " out of date", and they will accept nothing from him as he hasn't seen our son for over a year.

The local health service said that they are unable to give him an appointment to see an Aspergers consultant as they don't have one! For neither children or adults.

I think my wife is going into shock, and I haven't explained the situation to our lad yet.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Mencap were happy to help us so I guess that must be a local issue. :shrug:

I think I'd be finding the nearest decent sized CAB office ASAP to see if they can assist or point you in the direction of those who can.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I know it may cost but could you see his ex consultant privately ? I know you should not have to but it may well be worthwhile. If he is unavailable he may be able to suggest someone.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Yes, I can see where they're coming from re the absence of recent reports but if it weren't for Osem Jnr medical conditions, he'd never see a medic either. I think there'll be help out there re an appeal if you carry on looking but part of that might involve obtaining a private medical (or other) report to support your claim.

Sadly for us Jnr #2 has copious medical files (we still see is consultant 3-4 times a year even though he's 'progressed' into adult services) and there's no doubt that this helps even though some of his major issues aren't health related at all, they're more to do with a lack of understanding re day to day situations, limited communication/social awareness and vulnerability.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I spent most of the night half awake going over-and-over the decision they made, and trying to make sense of it.

Knackered and stressed, but I'm trying to concentrate on the letter I must write to demand a mandatory reconsideration.

The rules say it must be received by them within a month of the decision date, not the day you receive it. I see possible skulldduggery at work as it was dated 16th January but only arrived on the 27th January.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

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/

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

So sorry to hear your troubles Taf my thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family and hope you find help to get this stupidity reversed get to your nearest citizens advice as even if they don't have the staff to help they usually have a list of resources.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Definitely. That's why I'd contact a large CAB rather than just the closest one which may be staffed by a man and his dog and open every second Tuesday in the month. It seems there may not be much help available to Taf but there are loads of local/regional/national charities around who may be able to help him.
Frankly I'd try another Mencap office for sure.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

All CAB offered me were internet links.

"It (PIP) is using so much of our resources that it's all we can offer. Updates will be made as they appear".

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I'd be ringing Mencap and other autism related charity groups then even if they're outside your area. Just because one branch said they can't help dpesn't mean none of them can or will be able to. :tu: Sooner or later you're bound to be able to get hold of someone who can help. There's also the question of the medical report from the doctor which I'd have thought would be critical now even if you have to pay for it. You're clearly going to need some 'expert' opinion to back up your appeal but I appreciate getting that might take longer than you have at this stage. Bear in mind that if your appeal is turned down you still have the right to go to a tribunal up to a year later so you'd have more time to prepare your case if you have to go down that route.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

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.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Hope you get it sorted Taf.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

A lot of the numbers for benefits are now 0345, which if you have a package on landline which covers you calling 01 and 02 numbers during the day 03 numbers are covered too. Likewise, on a mobile contract the call gets taken out of your inclusive minutes.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

In my experience the letter must be received by the DWP within the specified time period. Common sense, decency or empathy don't come into it.

If it is not, this would require a second appeal.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

I have draughted the letter, just tweaking it a bit now. I have been advised to be concise but accurate, but cover all points in dispute (almost all of them).

The only part giving me a severe headache is the "how far can you walk" question. It's like answering the question "how long is a piece of string?" as there are so many variables. I tried to explain on the original form that his walking distance is impossible to quantify, and according to their rules cannot be "reliable" i.e. repeated as and when required.

Re: Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.
 

Read this and feel so angry I feel compelled to reply, I cannot think of a word how you must be feeling.

When I won my last DLA tribunal case, I had a similar reasoning given by the assessor, because I managed to get from my front door to my living room, I was assumed able to walk 200m (safely and without pain). I drawn out a map of my flat, put a scale of distances next to it which I got by measuring the length of my flat and so forth, took a photo of my front door as the assessor claimed was 3 steps (is one step). I had discredited the assessor completely and with my medical evidence supplied at the hearing they said was a no brainer and was angry at the DWP for wasting time and money by refusing my claim. Sadly these tribunals cannot do things like fine the DWP which would discourage them from this practice, all they can do is award to the claimant what they entitled to. There will always be people who wont bother appealing and of course not all appeals are won so the DWP will keep treating people like this as it saves them money. The wasted money on the civil tribunal service is out of another budget so they dont care about that.