Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

It's now been reported that the DWP has lost more Employment Tribunals for disability discrimination than any other employer in Britain.

If they discriminate against their their own disabled staff to such an extent, what hope do disabled claimants have of being treated in a fair and non discriminatory manner?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

What employer would and should put up with that? Either you can do the job or you can't. What "reasonable adjustments" were there meant to be?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

If any absence is due to a disability, it should not be classed as mainstream sickness absence and should not be subject to any policies designed to deal with sickness absence that is deemed to be excessive or questionable. To do so is legally viewed as disability discrimination.

As the DWP is trying to get disabled people into work and working disabled people may require more time off, it's an outrage that they either don't know the law or believe that they are above the law.

I'm not sure where you got that quote from, but I highly doubt that they mean that she was off work for four years.

As for your "either you can do the job or you can't" comment, what are disabled claimants supposed to do if they are told that the DWP has deemed them to be fit for work (using their flawed and discredited criteria for evaluating this)?

They go and find employment with the DWP themselves, need some time off work due to their disability and are then disciplined for it!

They can't have it both ways.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

There comes a point even if there is a genuine disability where they cannot do the job. Plenty of examples where people are "swinging the lead" or making fraudulent claims. Used to be back pain, nowadays depression is the "in thing".

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Yes, it's true that some disabled people try out work and find it's too much for them. What do you suggest these people do if their claim was cancelled because they were deemed to be fit for work, they found a job within the DWP and were then dismissed because they had taken time off because their disability prevented them from attending work?

Your flippant and offensive remark about those who suffer from depression shows that you really have no comprehension of mental illness at all.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

A room that is big enough to take 12 or more people is not exactly a "small room".


Not all computer software is possible to control with voice activation.


If you're well enough to do a 3 year degree course, why aren't you able to work?


Sciatica is not a disability, it is an condition that people tend to recover from.
Link



---------- Post added at 21:08 ---------- Previous post was at 21:02 ----------

There is clinical depression and there is just feeling down.
Link


I resigned from a job because of severe depression. Day after day I wasn't able to function and do any work.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Methinks the problem isn't with people with depression but with people who say that they have. Like back pain diagnosis can be hard and CAN have no obvious visible signs so CAN be abused.

It's the abuse that makes things hard for those are genuinely in need having to go to great lengths to prove they need the support. It's sad that many who need the help don't get it and those that don't get away with it.

The other abuse is those who do have conditions then play the system to the detriment of others and the employer.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Why do you think that the DWP has successfully had action taken against them for disability discrimination more than any other government department or employer in this country?

I think it's because it reflects the contemporary culture that this particular department has towards disabled people ie they are all liars, malingerers, exaggerating things etc.

I see you were unable to answer my question regarding someone being found fit for work and obtaining a job within the DWP, but then being 'punished' for needing time off work due to their disability.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Taking a lot of time off over the course of 4 years is not doing a job. What "reasonable adjustments" could've been made? As I said, if you're able to do a 3 year degree course, then you were able to work.


Only one of the examples was sacked due to taking time off, and that was the one over 4 years. Another was sacked due to serious errors in her work, that were NOT related to any disability. Another one was where the DWP DID make an adjustment, but he still pursued a claim.


Which of my rebuttals to their arguments aren't true?


In a recently repeated TV programme, a guy was running a bar in Spain. The Police closed it as it didn't have the appropriate licence. He returned to the UK claiming he couldn't work because of anxiety and depression. If that was true, how come was he running the bar, and why was he eager to return to Spain and do the same thing all over again. Many other similar examples in these TV programmes.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

This programme highlights the current DWP culture towards disabled staff & claimants:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g6rz

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I watched it, hence my comments in post #2622.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Discredited firms poised to rake in more than one billion pounds from new PIP contracts:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.co...pip-contracts/

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

DWP suspends face-to-face sickness and disability benefit assessments.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politi...-face-21698775

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

A sensible idea from them for once.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Just received this:


Dear IAS Stakeholder

In light of the current Coronavirus outbreak, we are working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to protect the health and safety of claimants and our staff.

As you may be aware, DWP has temporarily suspended all face-to-face consultations for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from today as a precautionary measure. This is aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to Coronavirus. However, alternative arrangements will be implemented to support claimants during this challenging time. These include the ongoing use of Paper Based Reports (PBRs) and the introduction of telephone assessments.

The department has confirmed that it will continue to accept all new claims. For those individuals already receiving PIP, they will continue to receive their current payments as normal.

For more information on this recent development, please visit the DWP website. We will also provide key updates on our website.

Best Regards

PIP Claimant Champion

---------- Post added at 08:43 ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 ----------

Anyone who is self employed or who has had to close their business due to the pandemic can now call HMRC on 0300 456 3565 for advice on tax and any benefits available to them.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

https://www.understandinguniversalcr...-vD-msuAAbHzOY A guide to Universal Credit for those who need to claim. This benefit does not pay anything for people to live on or help with rent & mortgage payments for at least the first five weeks. CLAIM AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE LAID OFF, HAVE TO CLOSE YOUR BUSINESS OR ARE MADE REDUNDANT. This is because you do not get paid for the first week and the following four weeks are paid in arrears. This may be even longer if you receive any outstanding wages or receive a tax refund. The seven days starts from the date you claim, so claiming straight away gets the clock ticking. If you cannot manage during the waiting period, you are entitled to ask for an interest free loan that they will claw back from your ongoing payments.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The Department for Work and Pensions is expected to announce later today that it is suspending welfare conditionality rules, including for universal credit, to ensure that benefit payments are not interrupted and to ease pressure on job centres.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...own-by-weekend

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I hope that this includes lifting current sanctions for those affected.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Interesting ideas floating around about a Universal payment and Coronavirus.

People are going out to work because they don't want to get poorer. Considering 'money' is a human construct the challenge is finding a way to peg what someone has now for 4-6 weeks and let them come out the other side in roughly the same position they are in now.

As the stock exchange falls, the pound falls and recession is imminent. What's really the cheaper option?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I think they'll have to think about a UI with automation round the corner, this might just push it forward. The Conservative Government might do it as, to their credit, they've dumped political dogma and are now effectively carrying out left wing policis and not leaving things for the market to decide.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

They're only applying this because of the failures of capitalism. It can't get itself out of slumps. The end game is still to ride the crest of the wave of the free market economics once it recovers (essentially at the expense of the taxpayer.

It needs intervention on a huge scale (see 2008) to do so.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The Department for Work and Pensions has suspended all disability reviews and assessments for three months, and is to hire 1,5000 new staff to deal with a surge of new claims for benefits.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...lockdown-rules

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

2020 is starting to feel like Jeremy Corbyn has won the election! Not sure what policies I would be offering up now as a Labour leader, apart from maybe jailing people like Tim Martin (Wetherspoons boss)!

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Aye, he's spending more than Corbyn wanted to that's for sure!

***IMPORTANT***

Those who are extremely vulnerable to the coronavirus and who have no friends/family/neighbours/carers to help them are asked to register here for food parcels etc. from the Government:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extre...IB9-HUM14yLn7w

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

A bit of context, folks. Jezza would have happily run up a massive and unsustainable state spending bill in ordinary times, rather than waiting for a massive pandemic crisis that demands an exceptional response. Personally I think the UK has dodged a massive bullet by not having him in charge right now.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Not a great fan of Boris as people know but Corbyn would have been a unmitigated disaster on a richter scale of 8.

Although after this is all over there does need to be a national realisation among politicians and the populace as to why we were so utterly unprepared for this crisis in the first place and how we can be far more prepared for a future crisis which will inevitably come.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I've just had a chuckle on Facebook, there's a post going round suggesting that ATOS and Capita should get involved.

Everybody will be miraculously cured of any virus related issues and fit for work in no time :D:D:D

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

:D:D:D

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Universal Credit backlog.

Half a million people have applied for Universal Credit in the last nine days. 105,000 of these claims were made yesterday alone! The DWP are to start ringing claimants instead of forcing them to call them. Problems with the online identity check system haven't helped, so 10,000 extra staff are to be redeployed to help to clear the backlog.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Reassessments may be suspended, but the DWP refuses to say whether disabled people who are affected by the coronavirus will have their benefits stopped or not if the reassessment process had already begun:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.co...ights-covid-19

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Self-employed can continue to work as they receive support.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52053914

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Its also taxable.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

DWP update regarding new Universal Credit claimants.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d...we-ll-call-you

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

MP's want to hear about your experiences of claiming benefits:

https://welfareweekly.com/mps-want-t...y_news_updates

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Grandmother, 61, with terminal cancer died weighing three stone after DWP stopped her benefits

Link

https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2020/07/14.jpg

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Stopped her benefits? Not all of them.

Although the removal of the DLA(see the letter in the article) would've led to the reduction of ESA by the removal of the supplements.
The mobility component was going on the car, so that wasn't a financial loss.

Immaterial to her financial situation.
Not relevant to DLA/PIP.

Not quite sure what the relevance of that is meant to be to the assessment. It can't really be used to assess ability to bend down, as sitting like that, whilst is bending the knees, isn't doing it under the load of the body.

The main issue that wouldn't have been understood, is that the rules for DLA and PIP are different. PIP is a points based system. That made DLA care component easier to qualify for. Whilst she would've received 2 points for the feeding tube and another 2 for the colostomy bag, she would've needed a minimum of 8 points to receive anything.

The extent to which they were helping her, and how much of it was necessary would've been the key.

The problem with the missing DS1500 form might've been that there was no current PIP claim for it to be connected with. Control of the appeal would've handed over to the Tribunals service. There would not be direct communication with the DWP from that point onwards. The DS1500 would've had to be sent to the Tribunals service, where they would've automatically copied to the DWP. The DWP should've then looked at it and automatically awarded enhanced Daily Living PIP along with the ESA supplements. If that had been done, it might still have taken longer than the new PIP claim route, as the Tribunals service just deal with the paperwork at that stage. They don't assess it.


Several years ago(before the newer rules), I had to appeal to the Tribunals service and sent back the form "too quickly". The Tribunals Service received my form before they received the request from the DWP. According my form had no appeal reference to attach it to. The Tribunals Service had effectively "lost" it.


She should've been advised to put in a new PIP claim. With the DS1500, it would've been quickly approved.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

As some one that lost a parent to Lung cancer, the fact she weighed 3st is no correlation to benefits being stopped, and usual poor reporting inferring a link between the two.

The report states she had “daily” care. I’m sure they wouldn’t have let her starve, like my parent she had terminal cancer and very likely was unable to feed herself or indeed be fed.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The benefits weren't completely stopped, she was still receiving ESA, almost certainly in the Support Group.

She was being fed via a feeding tube. Don't know how the cost of the liquid is paid for. Is it covered by prescription? Certain gluten-free versions of foods were.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

This man couldn't leave the house due to his disability. His benefits were stopped because he couldn't leave the house to go to an appointment. He's another one that starved to death:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...uQvEyYX7Lrvyeg

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

and the DWP got away with it again

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

What else are they expected to do?
Where were the rest of the family?
He was ok for 10 months without benefits, and the real issue appears to be the bailiffs due to arrive.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Maybe people aren't as clever as you and need help? Mental illness can be debilitating. Family aren't always there or able to help.
This is why we have a welfare state, it failed again and continues to fail many.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

The family were there.
Are the DWP expected to be mind-readers, and to award benefits without question, and for all eternity?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

So the DWP tried to make contact and he kept ignoring them, so they cancelled his payments. How is that the DWP fault? If he had been in touch with them and they cancelled then I could understand.

Did he not have a carer? Why did none of his family sort it out for him?

This is just typical government bashing. On this occasion, they did nothing wrong.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Half and half. Some people just aren't capable to look after themselves for whatever reasons. Some masks all the signs and would never ask for help either. Sometimes no matter how loud you shout out for help, sometimes it just doesn't come. Some do fall between the cracks and it is sad. And this is a sad case all round.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

To the unsympathetic who seem to think the DWP carry no blame

Man on benefits for metal illness goes quiet and does not turn up to meetings

They try to get in touch and still quiet

They pay 2 visits and get nothing

They stop his benefits

He dies

Surely the compassionate would see that there is obviously something seriously wrong here and instead of stopping benefits try every means necessary to get to the bottom of what was wrong. Including getting in touch with family or even call the police to check to see if there was an emergency.

Stopping someone with long term illnesses benefits makes it impossible to live surely no one would think "Oh he has to be ok then and won the lottery or something"

People with mental illness often ignore people do not answer doors and isolate themselves . It is a very common symptom. Not getting an answer at the door does not mean they must be ok and able to support themselves now

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

:tu:

---------- Post added at 16:02 ---------- Previous post was at 15:59 ----------

:tu:

However those dealing in the area of social services are often overworked and underpaid with huge workloads of people needing care.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

There was a 10 month gap between stopping his benefits. The family supposedly knew nothing about any of it.


The onus is on the claimant to prove their claim, always has been.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

and that when it is mental illness has always been wrong

In fact thinking about it it should always be on the DWP to prove people fit or unfit cuz otherwise people are treated guilty until proven innocent by the DWP

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

So people can get a load of benefits if they just ignore the DWP?:rolleyes:

A key DWP philosophy is that being in work helps with feeling down. It was said he was ok, when with his grandkids. Therefore the "distraction" of being in work, should've helped.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

And here we see someone with a total lack of understanding of mental illness

I bet you are the type of person who tells his down friends to "pull yourselves together"

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Just "feeling down" is different and separate, from clinical depression.
It was the family who said he was ok when with others. That clearly demonstrates an ability to "pull himself together".
If he had avoided all contact with his family, that might be a different matter.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Firstly no it does not clearly demonstrate anything this was only family and his grand kids. Plus he might have been acting ok another classic symptom of mental illness is hiding it from family and those close to you

The guy had obviously took a turn for the worse as he isolated himself long enough to die alone waiting to be found by the bailiffs

As I said you clearly have no idea about mental illness at all

I can only guess but the added stress of the review along with other factors triggered a worsening of his symptoms.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I agree with that, where were his family when they obviously knew he had mental problems, did they visit him much? Doesn't sound like it, terrible for this to have happened to the poor man.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

End of the day the guy was clearly to sick to cope without benefits as he died without them so whatever anyone says the DWP stopping his benefits contributed to his death and the decision to stop them was wrong

It is one thing sanctioning the unemployed for not seeking work when they should but sanctioning the mentally ill is clearly dangerous

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

If he was ok with his family, he wasn't clinically depressed.
Clinical Depression.


---------- Post added at 19:14 ---------- Previous post was at 19:13 ----------

When you say "benefits", you mean money.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Ok I am going to repeat myself again. Clearly you have no idea about mental illness

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

NOT clinical depression. He could, and did, "snap out of it".

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Are you Trolling or do you seriously believe what you are saying?

Research smiling depression

It is perfectly common for those suffering Clinical Depression to hide it from people and I really do not want to have to repeat myself yet again but thinking otherwise show you have no idea about mental illness

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

He's trolling and will keep you going all night. It's a sad existence....

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

There speaks a man with experience..;)

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Whatever the Tories do and I mean whatever this individual will always defend them.

As a floating voter and anyone with a normal outlook on life, I support or don't support the things that I believe to be right or wrong, regardless of which party is involved. I have friends from across the political spectrum and even the most die hard Tories recognise that they sometimes get things wrong and one of them is often their treatment of the disabled since 2010.

Ironically, some psychiatric conditions e.g. Aspergers can give rise to particular obsessions and some can cause a total lack of empathy/compassion, which is discussed here:

https://bpsmedicine.biomedcentral.co...%20alexithymia.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

And even bigger workloads due to the last 10 years of cuts and to add insult to injury a pay freeze this year despite doing their best to continue delivering the service during the pandemic.

I'm now expecting the odd post detailing social service failures over the last year to try and show how they are crap and so don't deserve a pay rise.

Also, as a Mental Health First Aider it surprises me when people you thought were as tough as old boots and coping fine confide in you , while those you think are struggling just carry on.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Not heard of Mental Health First Aiders before. Are you someone who people that are struggling can talk to at work?

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

There is a huge link between money worries and MH issues that the DWP have no care for. Each little bit of pressure to fill in forms & have assessments by people with zero knowledge of how MH affects people, adds to their reduced engagement with those who can help.

DWP are not set up to be proactive and find it easier to do nothing & say no to payments. Rather than look at the evidence of how their systems are adding to the problem, instead of solving it.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

For many years I felt there was a senior management culture where I work of if you couldn't see it then it wasn't happening. So if I severed my arm they'd do their best to make sure it couldn't happen again but if my mental health was being impacted by work procedures the council would do nothing to change the procedures even when they knew there was a problem.

Things started to change when someone in a different department who has complex mental health issues barged in to a senior management meeting and blocked the door and made them listen (wish I could have heard her as she was in a manic phase at the time and while it's not funny, she's the first to admit she could do stand up during that phase of her illness). The next day she tried to self harm but it went too far and she almost took her own life. Finally the penny dropped and things started to change.

There's 5 of us in my little team, but we're part of a bigger group of about 50. Over this past year I've had quite a few calls from people who are not having a great time and often it's just knowing there's someone there who will just listen and can help you if you really need it. I make sure I speak to everyone in my team at least weekly and they know if they need to they can call for a chat (or a scream!) any hour of the day or night.

I could go on as it's something I really do believe in but you can find out lots more here and I would urge anybody to encourage their employer/organisation to make sure they look after their people's mental health.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

An excellent summary of the DWP since David Camerons introduction of a 'stricter benefit regime'.

When I worked in benefits processing, we would go and visit people who were struggling, particularly if they were known to have mental health issues. We even used legislation in place to award payments where they were unable to complete or sign a claim form.

It's not the case now, the DWP have been underpaying some pensioners for years. When they found that some were entitled to as much as £100,000 back pay, they started saying that they would only go back for 12 month's (this is being challenged).

Remember, this is an insurance scheme that they & their partners have paid into to help with their old age.

If anyone knows of a pensioner who may be affected, please read this thread for more information. The longer this is left, the more likely they will be to lose money:

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/show...php?t=33709864

After pressure, the DWP will now check some claims, but others will simply miss out on something that would make them more comfortable in their twilight years. You can bet your life that if the pensioners had been overpaid they wouldn't only go back for 12 months.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:51 ----------

You're 100% right in that mental health/disability isn't taken as seriously as physical problems that people can see. I have experienced this personally, even by people who like to virtue signal their liberal values.

Good on you for becoming a Mental Health First Aider to help others, I respect you for doing your bit to help others..

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

When far more goes unclaimed than any overpayment, the system is skewed. Throw in the fixation on benefit fraud rather than problems with tax collection and you can see the mind set.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EvxxIXdX...jpg&name=small

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

This graph really does say a lot, Well it certainly says a lot more than the Tories did when IDS introduced Austerity a number of years ago and actively targeted the poorest in the country and pushing the Tax payer into blaming those on benefits for the state of the economy

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Absolutely correct, by fair or foul means too. They even get their friends in the private sector to do their dirty work for them, paid for by the taxpayer of course. These private companies, paid for by the results that the Tories want to see, have no place in the benefit assessment process:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.co...21tvp1IbGeNGDU

This woman took them to court because of the affect that their behaviour had on her. When a court awarded her compensation, they continued making things difficult by ignoring it. It was only when debt collectors were called in that they paid up.

Presumably to 'punish' the woman, the DWP called her in for another assessment within days. An MP had to become involved as she wasn't due to be reassessed again until 2023.

When asked why they had done this, they 'declined to apologise to her' and simply spewed out the usual corporate waffle that's expected these days from public servants expected to properly serve the public who pay their wages & elect the MP's who ultimately employ them.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...line-inflation

Iain Duncan Smith (of all people!) calling for a rise in benefits to match the current rate of inflation with many claimants facing a real terms reduction in their income by 7%.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Then theoretically, in the future any increase should be less than inflation, as people will have already partially received the prior increase.
There is no right time to set the rate. Prices will always increase after whatever date you use.
How did people manage with double-digit inflation in the late 1970s? Especially with the Labour imposed below inflation pay rises.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Last December, the DWP sent our lad a PIP Review Form. I returned it in time in January. All questions asked simply "Have there been any changes?" There were none, so I simply wrote "No change". Claimants are obliged to inform the DWP of any changes as they happen.

Now, 4 months later, he has a letter saying they can't review his case as it was awarded by a Tribunal until December of this year.

But they could review it if there were any changes in his situation, and they gave 2 examples, both making claims harder. "If a situation should be "dangerous" they now want to know "how dangerous" and to quantify how likely those scenarios are "liable to actually happen". The other one is only relevant to claimants who have fits or blackouts.

So just before his PIP award ends, I have to ask for a claim pack and make a brand-new claim in his name. And that will involve their "medical professionals" having him in for an assessment. Probably zero points as before, so on to Tribunal.

From receiving the claim pack, to a first decision is now taking around 16 weeks. To fight a bad decision by Mandatory Reconsideration adds a further 8 weeks to wait. If that is still bad, getting a Tribunal can take UP TO 6 MONTHS in many parts of the country.

Up to a year for a claim to be correctly awarded!!!!

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Are you sure that it won't be a review when the time comes? The Tribunal just makes the decision the original Decision Maker was supposed to make. There is no real other difference in application of the decision. Even where the DWP itself makes the award(it does happen occasionally), the award continues until the date they set.

One down side of a favourable Tribunal decision is that you won't necessarily know the details of why they approved it. That means it might be less clear as what to highlight in any review form that might help your case.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

After a letter (30th April 2022) saying they cannot review our son's case as it was awarded by Tribunal, an Award Letter (28th May 2022) arrived today stating that they have decided his award is to be "ongoing" at the same rates it was, and a review will not happen until after 23rd May 2032.

A few years ago, the DWP said that "lifetime conditions" would only get an occasional "light touch" contact to check if the address and bank details were correct.

It only took them a year to throw that idea away.

The points do not allow for a Disabled Bus Pass as he has only 10 points for "Planning and following a journey"and not the 12 points required. Nor does he have the 8 points for "moving around", nor the 8 points or more for "communicating verbally". But they do state that he has "severe problems with cognitive function", so that should suffice (under new rules in Wales this should be enough for a driving licence not to be issued, so that is another way to get his lost Bus Pass replaced).

This has taken a load off our minds, and the lad is ecstatic that he might get his bus pass back. But first we have to battle the monster that is TfW (Transport for Wales).

I have lodged complaints against TfW with the Welsh Arsembly, as they are considering a request to replace a lost or stolen bus pass as a completely new application requiring a lot of bureaucracy.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

every time I see anything about reviews or claims its sets off my anxiety. 3 years November since my last review and it said nothing about the next timeframe. I hate it, I am not fit for work but every time you have to face them they could drastically change your life and they have the power to make it so hard it is hardly worth living

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

I twitch when anything comes from DWP. I'm a member of forums for PIP claimants and Carers, and the system seems to be falling apart. Even claims for Carers Allowance are taking around 16 weeks to process. And if you are on Universal Credit, you lose money for weeks or months before CA kicks in and you get backdated payments.

Tribunals for PIP are still being done over the phone, with some areas having an 18-month backlog.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

No way could I cope with claiming PIP. My last ESA review was quite easy. The women just asked a few questions about my mobility nothing about my mental health issues but I you never know what the next one can be.

In 30 years they once said I was fit for work all because I was positive due to starting a course for those on Incapacity of course I lost the course when they decided I was fit but I won on tribunal. Then 2 reviews ago they put me on WRAG but then said in my actual documents that I was unfit so I complained and was put back on Support Group

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Most Jobcentres lost the Disability Advisors who knew what they were talking about. They were often those who made decisions for ESA. They were replaced by fairly new staff who had no idea what they were doing.

Our twins were put into the Support Group several years ago, and they've heard nothing since. From the forums online, it appears that many claimants moved to UC are being reassessed and end up having to look for work in the new look WRAG.

The UC structure is very odd too, with loads of new acronym's that appear then disappear depending on circumstances. And payments are stopped, backdated and/or changed in what looks like a very haphazard way. That can leave claimants with no income for long spells as the bureaucracy plods on.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

And there goes my anxiety again. Felt like my stomach flipped just reading that. Dunno whether I want them to try and move me early on the hope I get to skip the assessment or 2025 so I get a few more years without one. Either event I guess it is out of my power

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Higher numbers for PIP are also being dropped to zero points by ATOS assessors. Mandatory Reconsiderations follow suit. But Tribunals are overturning more cases than ever.

But the tribunal backlog is very long on some areas, with others still doing telephone tribunals.

The system appears to have been forcibly broken during the pandemic, and left to struggle ever since. :mad::mad::mad:

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Benefits may not rise in April as expected and previously promised:

https://www.itv.com/news/2022-09-28/...with-inflation

The money they will save is roughly equal to the tax cut for those earning over £155,000 a year.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

All evened out nicely then.

Re: The state benefits system mega-thread.
 

Correction:

I omitted to add the word 'pensions' after the word benefits.