I used to be on enhanced DLA because of my legs, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when I was 27. I have found a rather huge error in the reassessment process with regard to the HCP reports. I have Epilepsy, Osteo Arthritis and mental health conditions. Thank you This would also explain the year on year rise in appeals and appeal success if Tribunals are in effect being forced to revisit old ground due to an inadvertant consequence of an administrative system. Thank You. It is probably a good idea to get some professional support – your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help with that. Sometimes I spend 90 minutes waiting for my call to be answered but still I don’t get through. Assessor came out Dec 2018 give me 0 points and then MR also 0 points. Good luck and best wishes, This is also under appeal now after them taking 13 weeks to do a MR for. I made a claim for esa in jaunary I got a reply saying I’ll have a medical in March. Hello Mark have a lifelong mobility prblem. Although it is really for Tribunal hearings, many of the points still apply! But now the ESA is promising to pay greater attention to different genders, beliefs, ages and more. I requested a copy of the assessors report and that didn’t come either so I felt I couldn’t appeal as I did’nt have anything to dissect. I have worked as a civil servant myself for years and contracted meningitis that caused my damage. I suggest that you get in touch with them and ask for an update. One of the symptoms of my illness is a phobia of opening mail. I have been waiting for my tribunal appeal to be heard since february 2020. Last time my award was reduced so I went to a tribunal and won. Approximate dates of position: 5/17/2021 Eleven weeks of the internship will be in the park. I know I have yet another fight on my hands. No sooner had I won my pip tribunal ESA started trying to take that off of me, they hounded me every 2 months and then denied the face to face ever happened in November 2019. Will it be 1 court adtendence to deal with it all at once?. In March I was told by my consultant that my condition is now incurable. In October 2017 I was sent a how your disability affects you form, filled it in, I had to attend a face to face assessment a month after, my pip award ended in January 2018 and I had to go for to a pip tribunal in June 2018 where I was awarded pip from 4th June 2017 until 3rd October 2020. In a response issued before Christmas and the latest restrictions, HMRC explained its position of maintaining standard procedures as wanting to “encourage as many customers as possible to complete their returns by 31 January 2021, even if they can’t pay in full”. I am 62 and have always worked. I think you must continue to contact the DWP to get an update on your application, and I would also get some support – your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help. I had my telephone assessment on the 19th of August this year just got my letter to say that I have been stopped from the 19th of October 2020 I have been on pip for daily and mobility for 7 years I was judged on my pain copd and diabetes yet she didn’t mention anything about my arthritis in my knees back neck and hands which is why I was awarded it in the first place will I get one more payment as it is paid in arrearsi am phoning them. I am still waiting on a reply letter from the dwp i got a letter on the 10th of Jan saying i would hear within 10 weeks but with the current circumstances i am still heard nothing. I’m sorry to hear of your experience with PIP, which I’m afraid is not unusual. Not sure what to do, Hello Sue Today a friend has spent a few hours siffting through things unopened and found a letter from my local council dated 27th August which states. This is because of the extra difficulties caused by the pandemic. Best wishes, It certainly does help your chances, though, if you have someone supporting you. What can we do I been in the support group since been released from prison 5 years ago, can anyone help? Rang DWP yesterday they gave me the accesor number I rang it they told me they had received it and would be sent a letter when he would be getting a telephone assessment they have a back log .Rang mobility that had been notified but no one thought to notify us so probably have around 8 weeks before we have to return the car told the accesor this didn’t seem interested as it was nothing to do with them sorry for my rant . The tribunal panel will not be able to ask questions in the way that they would at an oral hearing: the appellant answers questions by typing directly into boxes on the online form. Im sure if I was requested to respond in a certain time frame they wouldn’t nearly have as much patience before throwing the case out of court…. 2nd tribunal was on the phone, was still dreading it, got very worked up of course, it lasted 1 hour, I asked my Independent Living Officer to be with me which honestly made a positive difference (I always think I can manage everything by myself) it was still very emotional however it was a different panel and they were honestly really nice. But the phone caller was in agreement with me and straight away said i should have got the p.i.p. I do not get how they can be allowed to take so much time. Best wishes, The 2021 ESA YGT opportunities are now open for applications until 1 March. And I’m realising that the DWP does not let people know what the rules/ protocol and their primary directive is, but that’s a different battle to face once and if I can get the right decision from the tribunal,what I need to know is what to expect when I have the telephone hearing, after reading other people’s experiences I’m very anxious about it and don’t know what I should have in front of me as far as documents, proof and statements? I will keep my fingers crossed for you, Peter! If that evidence is not provided you are leaving the assessor room for their own judgment. Hello Victoria Your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help with this. Your email address will not be published. for older people will they inform me by letter thank you as this is a cause for concern thank you please let me know ? Please advise me. It does indeed defy explanation that your wife can go from 15 points to 0 and then up to 21… I understand that times are challenging for them, but surely a letter of acknowledgement of the hearing isnt too time consuming? Hello Gloria CAB has also informed me that my Nov 2018 case, according to HM Tribunals service, is now classed as ‘due to be listed’ – I should hear about a date sometime within the next 6-9 weeks roughly. He has never had to undergo an assessment thank goodness. We are in the process of updating this guide to reflect these changes. • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 77% I think the whole point of welfare state founders was to. Your privacy is very important, so please note that we won’t contact you for any other purpose, and your details will not be shared with any third party. Which you really can’t count on. Good luck and best wishes, Hi there sorry i got my first message wrong i get paid on the 27th and my pip telephone asssesment is on the 18th of may will i still get paid . Best wishes, Best wishes, My friend done the form and I sent 40 pages of evidence away. At the end of that time, it will depend on whether he is still receiving the enhanced rate mobility element of PIP, if he can start a new leasing arrangement. Danielle Spencer, Hello Danielle Frances. You should also let the tribunal know about the personal issues which may impair your ability to participate effectively in a telephone hearing. Frances. My partner was on DLA from the the age was tested at school. Your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help. I’m afraid PIP applications are taking longer than ever, thanks in part to the pandemic. I must echo your advice to others, not to give up! What is classed as the day you start your application? This time around my pip award ended before an assessment As PIP assessments are now carried out over the phone rather than face-to-face, it is worth confirming here that claimants have the right to be supported by a friend, partner or family member during the process. Frances. Will I still need Face to Face interrogation? It will help you to make your appeal as strong as possible. You don’t want to suddenly find yourself without payments coming in. multiple phone calls to the court resulted in the same response. My last dla payment was on the 7th of July. I have tried returning to work however due to my illness I couldn’t pass the probationary period and was forced to leave ( with some substantial debt to cover childcare) . Particularly helpful that the judge directed the DWP not to reassess you in future. It is true that waiting times are longer – but that does seem a long time to be waiting for news of an assessment. This guidance is created by the Tax Faculty, recognised internationally as a leading authority and source of expertise on taxation. Even if I get caught, it would make little difference as I have been house and now bed bound for 15 plus years. Latter claims they cannot give tribunal reason for this as they do not know why the decision was made and DWP presenting Officer could not give any reasons or investigation reports as none had been undertaken! If I was on drugs or had a drinking problem i would not have to go through this, I am sorry to hear of your situation, Nikki. Frances Leckie Associates 1999 - 2021 © All Rights Reserved. I read it as safeguarding continuity of payments during Covid, ensuring none of us are losing out during this difficult time? Hi Frances, Independent Living. My Mum is 64 so am I right in understanding that if she was to be successful with her claim in the near future, would she not have a review for 10 years as she will have reached state pension age by the time the review is due? Good luck and best wishes, What can I do? Surely though, the Tribunal system admins would know this happens and thus try and get the Government and DWP to change it. Learn how your comment data is processed. When you get the letter from the DWP with details of your award, check that it is all there – and get in touch to let them know that you believe you are being underpaid if not. I have done exactly that time and distance, and it is just about the length of two double decker buses. Hello Rob I hope that things worked out for you in the end. I have cauda equina syndrome and diabetes and ulcerative colitis and fibromyalgia. They cold called me whilst i was on a bus just before i was due to go to tribunal .i. If you don’t get the right outcome from MR, the next step is going to the tribunal. Hello Philip Good luck and best wishes, If you have not been receiving the amount of ESA you are entitled to, you should contact the DWP and tell them why you should be getting more. It’s now Friday ( 3days later) and I’ve just received the letter from HMCTS and I’m pleased to say that I have been successful with my appeal and been awarded the standard rate for my mental health, ( which I was on before), 1st of I’d like to say thankyou for your support, advice and guidance with this problem and tell others people who are in my position NOT TO GIVE UP!. I’m sorry to hear of the really upsetting events you have been going through… I hope that your ESA appeal is successful – the odds are definitely on your side. I applied for PIP in April 2019. Frances. With regard to auditing – they are checking the work of the assessor, not you – making sure that they are completing the forms correctly. Good luck and best wishes, They usually start the review process a year before the end of the award. After this, they do usually count as part of your capital or savings. Could you please tell me how long It will be before the letter arrives as it has taken 2years and I am so stressed out. Good luck and best wishes, Yes – the minister for disabled people has said that people over state pension age will have a light touch review at 10 years, rather than being regularly reassessed. How can I ask them to give me a time scale? I’m assuming that a paper based one they will make a decision on what’s been said so I don’t think it looks promising really . I didn’t apply for this so can only assume someone has done this on my behalf. I am running out of electricity and cannot go out to top it up by myself I have a support worker that comes sometimeS but I haven’t seen her in a month and she cancelled my last appointment with 2 hour’s notice because she was busy. https://www.independentliving.co.uk/advice/hmcts-hearings-during-coronavirus/ Frances. Frances. Good luck and best wishes, Best wishes, That might make him feel less anxious about the proceedings. This was answered by Edward Argar, in his previous capacity as justice minister. A factual error. Hi, I have been waiting since January for my appeal date which I have received it’s Fri 13th Nov. After the pip assessment I scored zero in both areas of following a route and the getting around. I scored 2 overall I think. Any advice on what other steps I could take to find out about the status of my PIP renewal claim with the DWP would be greatly appreciated. I’ve sent loads of evidence into the courts. Good luck and best wishes, That is a ridiculous amount of time to wait. I would contact the DWP and ask what is happening about renewal of your award. Probably not surprisingly, the wait has increased during these difficult times – it was an average of five weeks last autumn. If not, I suggest that you contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau – they will be able to help. Hi Frances I am so confused. hello my name julie I had a ESA F2F on 17 Feb 2020 and he said I would hear somethink in 6 weeks and sadly nothing I was wondering is this a sign that I failed ? I had a letter to say my pip was due for an update they said will pay you till March 2021 but will be in touch for a telephone conversation regarding my pip just fount my award letter says I get pip till June 2022 whatt do I do? Frances. If you go to this page on the gov.uk website, you can search for the particular Tribunal of interest, and get more details: My mp has emailed them twice and still nothing. The DWP has made it clear that eligibility for PIP will be regularly reviewed to ensure that it is ‘financially sustainable’ in the future. It is probably a good idea to get some professional support – your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help with that. Any advice for me please as im getting worse and i attempted suicide twice over Christmas due to worrying about this Due to this, awards cannot be renewed and you have to make a brand new claim when the award ends. i’m now 36…i’m on all medications for this,iv had therapy.but iv only been claiming pip 3 months yet iv been suffering this long maybe 20 plus years.i’d like to take to tribunal, as my health conditions have severely affected myself and children and family friends around me. It generally takes about four months in total to get a decision. I suffer from ptsd anxiety and depression, I also suffer from phobias such as speaking on the phone and going out on my own I’m also very reluctant to ring them because I can’t hear very well and my anxiety gets worse. This is important because when the DWP grant data access to external “Independent” Health Care Professionals they only give them access to Medical Interactions – and so after a tribunal when your next review happens – health care professionals will see as part of their evidence bundle the previous report unedited, with any errors – blissfully unaware that the tribunal happened, and possibly make the same mistakes which took you to tribunal in the first place. Letters have been going out to people currently receiving pip, extending the length of the award. Your local citizens advice bureau should be able to do this. Any help would be great. I’m so sorry to hear of the situation you find yourself in. This decision has been … I am sorry to hear of the situation you find yourself in – that is certainly too long to be waiting. I finally was awarded pip on my second attempt. Hello Frances, I have just received a letter stating that they are changing my ESA to income based as I’ve been on contribution based for 365 which is the maximum amount of time. I am 62 am I entitled to benefits. anyhow I chose to carry on, he asked me to carry out some tests which I could not complete, after the assessment after an hour we finished and I left. Then you have someone in your corner, so to speak, rather than feeling you have to go through it all alone. Others have received extension letters which wrongly reduce the length of the award and one member has warned of issues with Motability vehicles. While you are waiting for the tribunal, it would be a good idea to use the benefit checker on Turn2Us, to see what other benefits she could be entitled to. I cidentally, I did not drive to the assessment, even though the decision maker asserts that I “attended the assessment alone by car”. Frances, Please fill this in as we’re fighting against pip as they have treated people like they’re nothing. I applied for pip in march after getting out of hospital for heart issues . August received a call from DWP asking questions such as have I been in a care home, been abroad in last year etc. Hello Or you may be eligible for working tax credit if you are in employment. I was receiving the enhanced rate of the daily living aspect of pip and the standard rate for mobility following a cancer diagnosis. Frances. Your local CAB should be able to help with this. Hello Adam The pandemic has made things more chaotic than usual. Frances, Hi, I am so happy to have found this as I desperately need help! I am currently owed thousands of unpaid benefits that I know should be claimed. Its been over a year and I’m getting zero points and accused of lying everywhere.. If the DWP are reviewing an award, the process generally starts about a year before the award is due to end.   |  363 Comments  |. Is this a genuine payment phone call. Your contact details will be held securely, so that we can reply to you and deal with your query. Guidance suggests 4 to 11 weeks… I would certainly get in touch and remind them how long you have been waiting, ask for a date – and please let me know how you get on. Frances, Hi my tribunal hearing was ment to take place by phone on 31/07/2020 time 3:15 at 3:35 I phone them was told to keep the line clear the judge was running over and that he would be contacting me before 5 I waited and nothing phoned Monday nothings been updated phone Tuesday nothings been updated I have no idea what to do now, Hello Stacy I explained all of this to the assessor and had said that my life was the opposite to this many years back, I use to work 50 hours a week, go to gym etc “but I don’t even know who I am anymore, I can’t even do yoga now due to my severe arthritis”. I have now gone to appeal that stated in August 2020 how long is it normal to wait for a hearing. I’m 66 so it’s my last chance. Hi Sarah You need to contact pip and ask for a review in your claim and they send a form out you fill and send with all your evidence hospital letter gp if you can get any letter about you medical history from gp and letters for other hospitals consultants and send them with your form and they mite do another assessment and if they start pay you more then apply say my medical history been same from when I first claim you should get a back payment . I heard that the rules for those on state pension have changed. has now been awarded i am getting enanched rates on both after my medical assesment i was awarded 0 points. I feel as though I’m going crazy waiting to hear whether I’m going to recieve pip or not. Frances, Hello Can any one help. It should at least be tapered . You can read more about Mandatory Reconsideration – the compulsory first stage appealing a benefits decision, here. I can only imagine how hard you are finding life. Last week I had a letter from DWP asking me to attend an appointment on 28th Feb to check my entitlements. I have been awarded the daily living component and I am now looking forward to receiving my back payment. I have no friends nor allies, a sad biproduct of a life of disability. Best wishes, How long is it taking for decision, Hello Karen It generally takes a couple of weeks for the notification to come through by post. The ESA YGT Programme offers young graduates with a Master a unique opportunity to work on inspiring space missions at the heart of European space activities. OMG not more cuts when is it going to stop! Frances. You don’t want it to fall between the cracks, or to go out somewhere and discover they have phoned in your absence…