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

I have read and reread the PIP award letter, and it just doesn't make sense. And it refers to "informal observation". Spying? "You were seen to be operating a mobile phone"... he put it in his pocket before we entered the building, and did not get it out for ages after we'd left. "You said you had money in your pocket, and therefore can budget and know how much change to receive".... neither of us remember a question about money?

Both highlighted for a response, but I doubt that will happen.

The lad's PIP review request has been sent. And I immediately thought "maybe I should have worded that bit differently?"

No time scale on when they have to react, so it's nail-biting time again.

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

yep they are allowed to make assumptions to get the decision they want instead of using facts (DWP that is, tribunals wont be so sided). It is a rigged system sadly built to allow them to achieve financial/political targets.

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

Sorry to hear about your lads PIP decision Taf lets hope they see sense and give him the award. (You said you had money in your pocket, and therefore can budget and know how much change to receive") in my opinion this is guess work and not fact. How do they know that? I mean this money could have been given to your son for example his bus fare therefore he had the exact money to get there and back. How would they know this is not the case when they did not ask!

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

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.

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

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:

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

It's ridiculous and the whole system ISA mess. Advice agencies have been overwhelmed with requests for help, I hope you go on to appeal and get it sorted out.

Yesterdays Victoria Derbyshire show had an item on this- the DWP response was to say that everything was fine and that customer satisfaction was 93%!

It won't get any better as the limit to two children for most people starts in April, as do the cuts to Widowed Parents Allowance:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08d8h91

It's at about 1:07 if anyone wants further details.

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

Not PIP itself but looks like the tax office has stepped in to fix the mess of tax credits with loads of people having money stopped for stupid reasons like supposedly been married to someone who died 30 years ago. The usual pattern of course with the private company claiming they had no targets yet in the same statement justified their actions by saying they saved 100s of millions from stopped tax credits, that to me shouts out that their remit was to cut the number of claimants.

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

A neighbour told me this morning that his (19 year old) son lost his DLA to PIP tribunal. Points had been increased but not enough to qualify. He's going for a legal review now, but has to pay his own lawyer and costs.

As suspected his ESA (WRAG) has been stopped too, the same day as his DLA, and he has to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance.

Also stopped is Carers Allowance for his mother, Disabled Parking Badge, free Car Tax and Disabled Bus Pass.

The loss of the Bus Pass alone will cost his son £13 per week, so his voluntary work for a charity will have to end. But he will have to spend so many hours per week at the Jobcentre that that was probable anyway.

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

I know this will fall on deaf ears but!!!!

I voted Brexit, its going to happen and when it happens I know that the British government will have 100% control of its budget,

I and millions of other brexit voters first priority is to look after you and your son!!!! It will be up to you and me and millions like us to force our leaders to do as WE tell them.

Hang tight, change is coming, no more EU nonsense.. Brexit voters are not vile racists, they just want want too catch the British people that are falling behind and no one seems to care about!!!!
Infact some of you are hating the very people that only want to help you. crazy old world...

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

I predict your 21st post will be within 1 or 2 of your last on this site troll boy.

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

The next step after a first Tier Tribunal is the Upper Tribunal. Although you have to initially apply for leave to appeal to the First Tier Tribunal. If the First Tier Tribunal refuse that, you can ask the same question of the Upper Tribunal anyway. After that it is judicial review.

How will he lose his bus pass? It might be more difficult to renew it.

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

You don't need to be on those benefits to be able to qualify for a bus pass. A letter from your GP or specialist could be enough.

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

Look at the positives,

He could now get a fulltime job, work hard and earn his own money. This may be the best thing that ever happened to him.

I hope he finds a job soon and enjoys working and the rewards that come with working.

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

The only way he would loose his bus pass would be to surrender it voluntarily.

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

Our lad's Mandatory Review Decision arrived this morning. Exactly the same as before. :(

Their response says that because he was seen to walk 6 meters, he can walk over 200 metres. And despite them asking if he had difficulties walking on slopes and uneven ground, they say that cannot be taken into consideration! Plus it repeats the lie that he was asked if he carried money and could calculate change. And now a new lie, it says he was asked if he could hold cutlery in both hands and they say he told them he could. It also says he can use a map, that was never mentioned either!

We can't afford a lawyer, so we're stuffed. :(

---------- Post added at 12:44 ---------- Previous post was at 12:34 ----------

His initial issue was by a letter from his GP, but now it can only be issued if he is in receipt of PIP Mobility payments. There is a "discretionary application", but that will be withdrawn once PIP is fully rolled-out. Those who were issued a card on GP advice only will be reviewed if the card has to be replaced due to loss or damage. And that reissue will only be to persons in receipt of PIP Mobility payments. And that is the same for the disabled parking badge.

And the GP cannot advise issue if he has not seen the patient in the past 12 months for issues regarding the disability. Or if he has received input from a Specialist Health Care Worker. Being in the adult service, that is between very unlikely and impossible. I requested a Podiatry assessment, but was told there is no-one available for "at least 2 years".

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

You don't need a lawyer so you're not stuffed. Go to your local CAB, someone from there will represent you or make arrangements for you to be represented.

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

Agree. :tu:

Taff - there is help out there, albeit harder to find in some places than others I know. I think that part of the trouble may be that having been self reliant for so long you've either fallen out of the loop or simply never been in it and never made the contacts which could now be of great help in this situation. We didn't even know about DLA until a friend with a severely disabled daughter told us. Up until then we'd just got on with supporting our lad and any decent parents would do and were ignorant of so many things. If we'd been reliant on GP reports we too would have a problem because our lad never sees them but they are the key to other services for your son and indeed you because you need help too.

I'd have thought GP contact would be a very good thing too and possibly a referral to relevant health services. I know a few people who've obtained their own expert opinion to assist their cases, having been turned down for DLA or whatever. It costs money but not necessarily a large sum so that may be another route to consider given what's at stake for all of you. Now's the time to find and ask for help mate, including help for carers which is what you and your wife are. :tu:

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

The Parents Association are hopeless, the local Autistic charities are worse. More interested in raising money to keep their paid admin staff in work. Ditto Citizens Advocacy and CAB. You just get referred to their website for "up to date info".

Our GP tried to get some sort of help, but the standard reply was "unfulfilled need"... even from bodies with large funding and staff levels, including the NHS.

Even my daughter's Psych appointments are now 18 months apart on paper, but have drifted to 2 years due to "illness or courses". Her meds and blood tests MUST be reviewed annually according to the local NHS, but they never are, despite nudges from our MP and Welsh Assembly.

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

You must have a different CAB service compared to elsewhere.

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

Try other national charities and organisations. They might not be able to come and see you but I don't see any reason they couldn't offer advice on how to proceed. It seems to me that you have to come up with some expert opinion to support your case and unless you do that the answer will be the same. Forums might be useful source of feedback. Find out how other people are dealing with similar issues because you won't be alone in this.

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

They're very hit and miss in my experience, the good ones are great and the bad just a waste of time. Good luck Taf, there's got to be an answer out there somewhere, don't let them grind you down in the mean time until you find it.

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

Wish me luck, I'm representing a friend at a PIP appeal hearing today as his support has backed out with a "supposed" hospital appointment.

I only got the paperwork last night, hearing today at 10am.

I'll let you know the outcome later.

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

Good luck at the PIP appeal as l know exactly how one would be feeling attending a PIP appeal representing someone and getting your points across to them as it can be quite a ordeal for some..

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

The DWP has deployed newly-trained P.O.'s (Presenting Officers costing only £22 million) to sway the tribunals in favour of the DWP. And some judges are letting them do it!

And a win at tribunal is now not guaranteed a change in the DWP's decision.

The days of tribunals seem to be numbered, it'll soon be just the Mandatory Review only according to some insiders. And that sounds scary.

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

Technically, Presenting Officers are meant to be there as "friends of the court". They are meant to take a neutral stance, and be prepared to comment on both sides of any argument. The same is meant to apply to the DWP decision maker creating the final DWP response to the Tribunal.

Decision Makers' Guide.

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

Good luck pip on your friends appeal fingers crossed all goes well.

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

Reading posts about recent tribunals where P.O.'s have been deployed make me. and most of the other readers, shudder in disgust. Neutral? Not a bit of it....:mad:

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

You can highlighting matters of law and still be neutral. They are only there for legal matters and nothing else specific to the case. At least if it's done at a tribunal hearing you have the opportunity to challenge it at that time.

It is afterwards in the Tribunals Statement of Reasons when matters of law and other matters are raised for the first time, that are really annoying.

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

Thanks weenie, done, dusted, case won.
Went easy as it happens,
Good result for him.

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

Excellent pip, I think I may have been one of the lucky one's as I have never claimed DLA but claimed PIP and was dreading it tbh but within two weeks of my medical which was a home visit I got a decision which was more than I claimed for and I was awarded standard rate on both parts.

I'm really pleased for your friend pip and well done to you for representing them.

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

They are moving the goalposts again... as tribunals are going against them I suspect...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/c...nt-regulations

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

Gawd, another mouth to feed.

I AM JOKING!

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

first Tier Tribunals have no binding authority in the first place.
Basically until now, virtually all decisions went the intended way and nothing would change for them.

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

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

I still await my letter with dread. I know people at my dialysis group who are blind like me and do dialysis three times a week and got no where.

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

Until their next review, which can be called at any time, even if the end date is years away.

Then they get you with the new rules. :mad:

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

Well l can only go by me own current ongoing experiences as its not a pleasant process going through it dilli.

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

Nothing new, just clarification of what had already been applied. There had previously been 2 other Upper Tribunal decisions, each having opposing views. That was an obvious conflict. There was meant to be a difference between somebody who has the cognitive ability and somebody who doesn't. Should being depressed be treated the same as being blind?

They have to have reasons for supersession of an existing award. The change from DLA to PIP is one such reason.

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39088847

---------- Post added at 13:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 ----------

A reason why so many are failing to be awarded PIP before tribunals.... and I experienced this sort of thing first hand. They are now refusing to send me a copy of the Capita assssor's report to take apart in the upcoming tribunal.

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com...aced-assessor/

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

They cannot refuse to send a copy of the assessor's report to you so l would quickly get on to them with the support of someone like CAB or one of the other advice centres Taf.

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

You can ask for a copy of the report, but you have to ask the DWP. Is that where you went wrong? A copy of the report is included as part of the DWP submission to the Tribunal, and therefore you will get a copy before then. Not sure the Tribunal can even go ahead without it.

The proposed PIP change is NOT a change. It clarifying and enforcing how it has been applied in the past, even with DLA.

Usual nonsense. Informal observations have ALWAYS been part of the process, whether DLA, PIP, IB, ESA etc. The process as set out by the DWP, tells them they have to look at the claim BEFORE they've seen the person. That is how they know what questions that might need asking and those that do not.

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

Contact the DWP on 0345 850 3322 Taf.

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

I wrote to the DWP (at the address for PIP as usual), then phoned to check they had received the request. Lots of "umms" and "aahs", passed to another bod who said they don't normally get sent out, and if they were there would be a backlog.

How can they have a backlog if they aren't normally sending them out?

Sounds like stalling tactics..... :mad:

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

Taf I just phoned the PIP number and asked for my PIP medical report and they sent it and other thing they did while I was on the phone they read some of the report out to me. Taf I never wrote to the DWP just phoned them gave them my name, address and NI number. I must have been very lucky as I found them to be very helpful.

Good luck Taf fingers crossed they can help you out.

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

cheers! Any help is good help at this time.

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

Taf I have just looked through my paper work and the medical report is called a PA4 on my form it states at the top of the 1st page:
Personal Independence Payment
Consulation report form - PA4

I have just noticed this was carried out by Atos Healthcare.

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

Some regions ATOS do it, and Capita do the others. You still have to contact DWP for the report, and you should get a copy with the DWP appeal submission prior to the Tribunal. The Statements of Reasons from the DWP about the original decision and the Mandatory Reconsideration should refer to the contents of the report.

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

Den gave Taf the number of the DWP, I was just giving the form details so he knew what to ask for. I would assume that whoever does the medical report the copy Taf needs to ask for when he phones the DWP is called a PA4. I did not know who did the medical as I had never claimed PIP before nor DLA.
If Capita medical form is called something different from a PA4 please advice as Taf needs all the help he can get to get his son the help he needs.

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

The Government are to take steps to limit PIP to some claimants.

It is expected that those with the following conditions will be the main ones to lose out:

- Those with mental health issues.

- Those suffering from anxiety state.

- Those suffering from depression.

- Those suffering from dementia.

- Those suffering from schizophrenia.

- Those who have had a stroke.

- Those with diabetes.

The head of Mays policy board, Tory MP George Freeman, has said that the reason was because the money should be going to "the real disabled" instead of those that just "take pills at home". He also cited affordability issues.

Even the oldest Conservative think tank, the Bow Group, has said that "this is the very behaviour that gives the Conservatives a bad name. It attacks those in need and kicks people when they are down".

I think that this is especially disappointing after May gave her speech last month. She stated that mental health would be a cornerstone policy of hers that would right a wrong and change the way that mental health is viewed. She went on to say that those with mental illness should be treated with compassion and that treatment should give the right level of support and attention.

Disability organisations are furious and intend to fight this latest assault on disability support, especially since they did not even go through the motions of consulting disability organisations etc.

This news was announced last Friday when it was known that it would be buried by last weeks by-election results.

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

...and today we have a party political broadcast with May spouting on about how she wants to help the vulnerable & the voiceless.

Her father was a clergyman; I hope he's looking down on his daughters behaviour.

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

I was just about to print off the final copies of the tribunal request when the postie arrived with the Capita assessor's report. Last day to post off the tribunal request!

As I read through it I got angrier and angrier. Despite all the medical evidence and handwritten statements from several experts, she obviously decided that the lad seems "intelligent and mobile" so got 0 points for all sections apart from the "social anxiety" part which now accrues no points after a DWP mandate. And blatant lies, saying she reckons that the lad can read maps, dress himself for the situation, cook, find his way about in unfamiliar places, etc., etc.

Ah well, the tribunal request is sent off now, just before the deadline.

Panic over until we get our date to go defend him.

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

You can send in new letters/evidence up to 7 days before the Tribunal hearing. The letters/evidence will from now on, be sent to the Tribunals service. You can even send them via e-mail as attachments, which saves on postage and gives proof of sending.

The statements of reasons that you should already have, should have given an indication of what was in the assessment report. You can get away with starting an appeal request on limited grounds and say about the report only having just arrived and that further details will follow.

Social anxiety counts as much as before as it did with PIP and DLA. Nothing has changed.

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

Today's Metro newspaper carries a report of how a man with no arms had his benefits stopped after being told "Crawl to work, you've still got arms" :shocked:

Something really has to be done about the way that disabled people are being treated by this Government.

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

How is anybody meant to comment on it when it is nowhere to be found on their website or indeed anywhere else?

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

Here we are Nomad.

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news...arms_1_4908497

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

So his arms magically reappeared? That's nothing like the post, which specified no arms, crawl to work, and in the "Metro".

Being in a wheelchair would only give 9 points anyway, which by itself would not be enough. That would be for not being able to walk up/down 2 steps.

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

Well that's one of only several links l can find as l certainly cannot find anything else so you have to question about the full validity of the post made..

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a7606416.html

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

How does that relate in any way to post by RichardCoulter? It's not even close.

He still wouldn't qualify, unless there is something else. Not being able to walk up/down stairs is not enough. End result would be the same, ESA stopped.

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

Well you go and find something that relates to his post as l cannot find anything as l was trying to find a link to it for you...

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

I can't find anything. That was my point. Checked the "Metro" website, and searched "worldwide" for a reference to "crawl to work".

On the face of it, the guy in the wheelchair wouldn't be eligible for ESA and that is according to the law. People in wheelchairs do not automatically qualify for ESA. He would still be receiving mobility DLA/PIP and once any mandatory reconsideration was over he could start the appeal process and get the assessment rate of ESA, along with Housing benefit etc.

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

I think it's pretty obvious to most people that I meant to say "no legs".

I didn't obtain the information from a Metro link, but Denphone has kindly found a link for you about the relevant case.

This ridiculous decision has now been overturned, but it just shows what's being done to disabled people.

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

So EVERYTHING in your post was FALSE. There wasn't even a "crawl to work" comment involved. It's quite possible that he said that he could haul himself up/down stairs at home. If he did, it should have been ignored as that is not the context the question is meant to be applied.

Unless there are other factors we haven't been told about, he is still not eligible for ESA. Being in a wheelchair only gives 9 points, when at least 15 are needed. The reasoning for just 9 points is that many people in wheelchairs DO work, so he could. All that time he would still be receiving the higher rates of mobility DLA or PIP.

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

I suspect that you're being obtuse for the sake of it. The crawl to work comment was reported by both the Metro newspaper and Channel 5, but there may have been others.

The decision has been overturned and he is now eligible for ESA.

It's incorrect of you to assume that all wheelchair users can work because some are able to, you sound like a mouthpiece of this Government.

Assumptions are rarely correct and never helpful.

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

There is no reference to "crawl to work" on the Metro website or anywhere else. I did look at the time. At the time there was no sign of what you were going on about.

Where did I say all wheelchairs users? It is a FACT that being in a wheelchair by itself only gives 9 points. That was a result of independent advice given in 2009, ie under Labour.

Further research does indicate that he does suffer from other issues which would get the required 15 points. The loss of legs had been very recent which may be a factor in the original incorrect decision. Still puzzled as to how he got to the stage of having to claim JSA, when a Tribunal hearing would've sorted it out before that stage. You can claim ESA at the assessment rate up until the Tribunal hearing.

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

I've not looked at the Metro website; this was in the print version.

You said "The reasoning for just 9 points is that many people in wheelchairs DO work, so he could. All that time he would still be receiving the higher rates of DLA mobility or PIP."

I'm not sure if he was on DLA or PIP, not that that's relevant and neither is which Government enacted the points for being in a wheelchair. This is not about trying to score party political points.

The fact remains that this Government, despite what May said and started to do, looks to be continuing their attacks on the most vulnerable in society.

Edit: Just been told that those being told to ring the DLA to PIP conversion line are being kept on hold for over an hour. Yesterday, after being kept waiting for over an hour, people were being told to call back on Monday as the system was down.

Has anyone here experienced this appalling standard of service?

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

2 and a bit hours on hold (I hate Vivaldi now) until the phone battery died. I was trying to request a copy of the Capita Assessor's t̶i̶s̶s̶u̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶l̶i̶e̶s̶ report. I had to do it by snailmail in the end, and it arrived after 2 weeks on the last possible posting day of the tribunal request.

I have never typed so much, so fast in my life......

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

Well when l had to phone them up to make a PIP claim their computers had broken down :( so they could not start the claim and thus they told me they would phone me back which was of course 2 days later :( and then l filled in the PIP claim form and thus so far after 6 weeks l have heard nothing from them.:td:

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

Different areas have different response times, and ATOS/Capita are claiming large backlogs for the face-to-face interviews. Huge bonuses for the assessors to clear the backlogs of course.

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

Yes l have heard this Taf but l still would have thought they would have given me a update 6 weeks on as l have heard simply nothing thus so far.

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

The call to assessment letter just appears when you least expect it. A bit like The Spanish Inquisition. Well, a lot like The Spanish Inquisition in many ways.

Are you taking recording equipment (has to be agreed to before the assessment, 2 exact copies to be made at the same time on only cassette or CD, with one copy handed in at the end of the assessment)?

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

Yes l have no doubt if one is called for a assessment they don't give much notice as l have requested a home assessment visit if they do require a assessment as my doctor writ a letter asking for this.

So one has to have two recording bits of equipment and it can only be done with a CD or cassette which frankly went out with the ark.

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

I posted this in a PIP FB forum last month.

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...p-response.pdf

http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads...p-response.pdf

They refuse "digital" recordings as they can be "edited". Hmm... I can edit analogue recordings very easily.

---------- Post added at 18:50 ---------- Previous post was at 18:47 ----------

I also posted this



---------- Post added at 18:55 ---------- Previous post was at 18:50 ----------

A few claimants have found twin recorders on Amazon, I bet Amazon are wondering why the sudden desire to buy them....

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

There was a rather satirical mention of this case on last Friday's 'The Last Leg' :D

---------- Post added at 07:49 ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 ----------

Exactly. The Radio 4 programme for the blind 'In Touch' and the consumer programme 'You & Yours' came to the same conclusion.

They are just being difficult & want to stop people recording what's really been said in these interviews.

Some of the discriminatory, rude and ignorant stereotyping has been outrageous, not to mention the discrepancies between what claimants remember and what the assessors wrote in the report when they finally got to read it.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3KnIi_3U-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0tWYK3rn64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPoW-s-adrY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZX_D8c4IA

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

...yet....

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ne...017+newsletter

---------- Post added at 11:29 ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 ----------

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ne...017+newsletter

---------- Post added at 11:30 ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 ----------

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ne...017+newsletter

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

More disgraceful behaviour by this Government.

They are being urged not to go ahead with cutting benefits to widowed parents from next month:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...idowed-parents

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

Why on earth in the 21st Century, should they be entitled to up to 20 years of money?

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

As silly as that sounds, it is how the DWP has been operating for a good few years now, they seriously have that mindset.

They will keep operating in such a way as it gains a net expenditure drop from the practice as not everyone will appeal.

They justify it by saying its about "what people can do" instead of "what they cannot do", however I have met no employers who agree with that policy (when considering someone for a new job).

---------- Post added at 20:44 ---------- Previous post was at 20:41 ----------

I agree there is people in wheelchairs who do work, but the vast majority of them were already employed when they became disabled, keeping a job is very different to trying to get one.

You can get 15 points for a wheelchair, but the wheelchair itself actually is now disregarded by the ESA assessors, they consider that if you have a wheelchair then you are "mobile".

What is even worse is that people without wheelchairs they can "pretend" they have one and as such are mobile.

To get 15 points with a wheelchair would be e.g. if you cannot self propel the wheelchair, in which case you should get 15 points.

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

The problem with the mobility descriptor is that the activities of mobilizing and going up/down stairs are combined. So while a claimant may be judged capable of mobilizing with a manual wheelchair, the 2nd question also needs to be asked of can they walk up/down 2 steps. I should imagine that is where the original confusion arose.

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

People who use crutches or the like which are not prescribed and supplied by a "medical professional" are now deemed to have made a "lifestyle choice" to use them, and are thus deemed to be "mobile".

Did you know that drivers without arms can get a Disabled Parking Badge "because they cannot put coins into parking meters"?

---------- Post added at 20:56 ---------- Previous post was at 20:53 ----------

The PIP questionnaire asks if the applicant has problems walking on slopes or uneven ground.

But if you answer "yes" the DWP replies "we cannot take into consideration your mobility problems on slopes or uneven ground".

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

If they are mobile as a result of using crutches, what is the problem. They are mobile and that is what is being assessed.

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

That descriptor was done away with purely as a means to have less people with mobility problems from qualifying a financial decision to hit a target, sadly mobility disability has been the most targeted by the last 2 governments on both ESA and PIP. You can still get 15 points, but it is harder.

e.g. in the past you could perhaps get 9 points for the walking distance, and then 6 points from difficulties walking up stairs. Now for mobility you need all 15 on the mobility descriptor.

Also in the past several years ago now, the assessment was excluding walking aids, not only is it now including mobility aids but if you dont have the aids they can pretend you have them if it means determining you are mobile enough.

---------- Post added at 21:14 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------

So lets say there is a fire in a tall building, you on the 30th floor and lift out of order, the guy with the crutches can get out as safely as the others? Also how does a person with crutches follow a simple work task which might be to carry a box across a room?

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

You are wrong about the old Incapacity Benefit system. Walking and going up/down a flight of stairs were separate descriptors, but when it came to adding up the points, it was only one(whichever was higher number of points) of the 2 that scored. It you got 9 for walking and 6 for stairs, the points that counted would be the 9, not 15.

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

Our Prime Minister today talking about how our £millions in International Aid shows what a "kind and generous country we are".

Hypocrisy!

And an announcement that recent changes to the PIP criteria to exclude many with mental health problems and anxiety "will not affect those currently in receipt of PIP". Maybe not, but they will do on the next review.

---------- Post added at 15:03 ---------- Previous post was at 14:37 ----------

https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2017/0...ll-transcript/

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

I had briefly hoped that things would improve under May, but it looks like she's as bad as her predecessor.

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

More insincere sound bites as usual Taf.

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

The Tories used this reason to scrap payments for a surviving partner in 1988, but even Thatcher stopped short of stopping the money for the children.

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

More news Re: The 'consultation' about ESA:

http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/201...t-green-paper/

Looks like the Government had made their minds​ up before the so called consultation!

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

Quick roundup of the latest benefit cuts coming in this week:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...rebar_facebook

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

Just had my PIP home consultation.

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

Good luck, lots of horror stories coming out of the PIP forums. :(

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

Thanks taf as l have read a lot of the horror stories about PIP on the forums.

l was quite surprised when just before she left she said l don't think you have anything to worry about to me so fingers crossed for a good decision.

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

I don't like the sound of that Den; sounds ominous :erm:

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

Well l can only hope Kursk.

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

Backstabbers always smile in your face :erm:.
Nah, I'm sure it'll work out ok for you.

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

Good luck Den, no point in worrying until the result is known. :tu:

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

Good luck, hope it works out well for you

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

Many people are finding that they are having their claim reduced or losing help altogether (particularly the mobility part).

This is rarely overturned at the Mandatory Reconsideration stage, but there is a very high success rate when appealing to an independent tribunal.

The Government don't like this and are looking into taking disabled representatives off tribunals and scrapping the opportunity for people to personally state their case by making them paper based decisions only:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...unals-disabled

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 35889369) Why on earth in the 21st Century, should they be entitled to up to 20 years of money?

This morning's Victoria Derbyshire show had a man on who is dying of cancer. I found it really upsetting to hear him say that he has lived longer than expected, but that it may have been better for him to have died a couple of days ago so that he could die knowing his family had some financial security.

Payments to help widowed parents until the children grow up have been in place since1946, until the "caring" May Government did this.

He also made some good points by saying that this wasn't in the Tory manifesto and that parents who die actually save the Government money because the money paid to help their surviving partner and children is far exceeded by the fact that they won't live to claim their retirement pension that they've paid for before becoming ill.

These cuts will cost his surviving family £44,000, yet his pension pot is worth about £150,000 that he'll never benefit from.

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

i hope you get a good result.

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

Sounds good den as that is basically what was said to me, then she got up and shook my hand before adding I wish you all the best with your operation I personally found her to be really nice.