So, after being declined for PIP, I typed a rather long letter to DWP (9 pages in total) and asked for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’… waited for a bit and yesterday a letter arrived saying that I’ve gone from ‘declined’ to ‘standard’ payment for both daily living & mobility - and the money went into my account this morning, I’m flabberghasted!!!
The thing is, they have still made errors in their letter (funny when I’m 1 point away from enhanced on daily living and with the mobilty, they seem to have neglected the fact I can’t actually get to a bus stop, any bus stop, I actually can’t leave my own road on my own!) so I think we’re going to have to appeal anyway.
It’s good news, in that they will listen and acknowledge mistakes so I wanted to share but I’m still surprised that they don’t feel they should follow their own rules.
I’m happy that I’ve got something but disappointed that it’s not finished yet, not good for my stress levels (but my husband is going mad now he’s read their reasoning, so common sense says gonna have to appeal)
Good for you Sonia and well done!!! Yes appeal to get the right amount. Follow appeal guidlines on Benefits and Work. Really well done though. So many people give up when they are first refused and it is SO worth the hassle and stress of following up on it. Pat xx
Sonia I’m really pleased that your appeal was successful. Until you’ve been through the application and appeal thing you won’t understand just how stressful it is. You’re very lucky to have support from your husband. I lost the will to live so many times during my first year on benefits and I was quite articulate. I can’t imagine how anyone could enjoy living on benefits or anyone without a reasonable education could manage it all.
Keep at it until you get what you’re entitled to. Try to stay positive, they’re slowly getting the message that you’re entitled and not letting them get away without sorting you out.
Yes Poll, I did just kind of breathe a sigh of relief when I got the letter… and then my husband read it! So, I’m gonna try not to stress, as at least I’m part way there
Hello Sonia, see the successful appeal as a first step to getting your full entutlement. As Cath said, it’s a wonder how some can actually get through all the hoops and stuff. The forms themselves can be intimidating. I’m just in the middle of claiming ESA, carer’s allowance, council tax discount, child tax credits and help with NHS costs at the moment. Each one has its own individual procedure. Why can’t all the forms be online like the carer’s allowance? Anyway, it’s Sunday and the sun is out. Best wishes for your next phase. Steve x
Appeal paperwork completed tonight, in the post tomorrow crosses fingers
Moyna & Steve, it sounds like you both have your work cut out for you. Moyna, I used to help with Riding for the Disabled, I only stopped doing it when I got a really bad throat from all the dust kicked up when leading ponies. We ha some gorgeous kids doing that, I hope your son gets access to some fun activities like that
Thanks Don, Rob took it to the post office at lunctime.
When I got the letter about the mandatory reconsideraton, the money was in my account 2 days later…it did make me feel a little rail-roaded, but obviously as they’d gone from reject to ‘have some money’ I was happy, until my husband read the letter and said seriously, they’re not even applying their own rules and writing the letter requesting the appeal wasn’t difficult, as we’d already considered all elements when I wrote requesting the reconsideration.
As gutting as it is, I’ve gone a bit further down hill since I applied anyway, so almost 11 months since Dx, I’m finally learning to accept that I’m not too likely to improve much now… but I remain staunchly hopeful!
Unless I was having a giddy five minutes, a lady from DWP/PIP called earlier… I should get a letter from them in the next week to 10 days, the long and the short is that they’ve apparently revisited and revised my offer
With the shocking couple of weeks I’ve had, I’m deliriously happy!
General update:
Walking is terrible, despite starting gabapentin, and I’m paranoid I might have another UTI. I certainly seem to have eached the point of at least one fall a week which is frustrating but I’m determined to at least try to keep walking.
We are looking at a ground floor apartment tomorrow. Rob as been looking for ages and we’re really struggling to find somewhere more suitable to live (no stairs!). If this flat is any good, it’ll mean we are in a neighboring area and hence I think we’ll have to start again and re-register for a council place, so it really needs to be the right one is we’re going to go for it!
I can even see the hospital from the front door, so quite a handy location too. Oh, and I was given Grandad’s rollator yesterday, I love it
So, whilst feeling the stress a little at the moment, kind of hopeful that there wll be some good changes crosses fingers
Unless I was having a giddy five minutes, a lady from DWP/PIP called earlier… I should get a letter from them in the next week to 10 days, the long and the short is that they’ve apparently revisited and revised my offer
With the shocking couple of weeks I’ve had, I’m deliriously happy!
General update:
Walking is terrible, despite starting gabapentin, and I’m paranoid I might have another UTI. I certainly seem to have eached the point of at least one fall a week which is frustrating but I’m determined to at least try to keep walking.
We are looking at a ground floor apartment tomorrow. Rob as been looking for ages and we’re really struggling to find somewhere more suitable to live (no stairs!). If this flat is any good, it’ll mean we are in a neighboring area and hence I think we’ll have to start again and re-register for a council place, so it really needs to be the right one is we’re going to go for it!
I can even see the hospital from the front door, so quite a handy location too. Oh, and I was given Grandad’s rollator yesterday, I love it
So, whilst feeling the stress a little at the moment, kind of hopeful that there wll be some good changes crosses fingers
Fingers crossed that the flat is OK. In the meantime would it be any help if you asked your medics who look after you to write to the Council on your behalf, or even your MP?
The council have been pretty good in all fairness, if I was worse they would assess me on medical grounds etc and I did speak to them about it… it might be that I’ll need to ask them to review that. For quite a long while, I really I thought I could carry on as normal, it’s taken time to sink in I suppose.
It sounds good Sonia… though I think you should asked to be assessed on medical grounds. With the shortage of social housing you really need a good reason to be housed by council… and medical grounds is a good reason (I used to work in social housing). Good luck with it and let us know how it goes. As Pam says, get as many people to write as you can, MS nurse, GP, local councillor and MP. All of that sort of thing adds greatly to your chances of getting housed. Pat xx
