Success story and question

Hi there

I am writing to thank the B&W team. I was turned down for PIP, when I was eventually interviewed in August 2015. I had initially applied in the March of that year. I immediately asked for a mandatory reconsideration, and signed up for your guides - and provided the decision makers with further information, based on your advice.

I was very relieved to find out that the incomprehensible decision was overturned, and I was then awarded PIP at daily standard rate for 10 years. I was also subsequently put into the ESA support group without an interview (apparently to be reviewed in around 1 year.). Again, this happened after I followed the advice in your guides. Thank you so much. I couldn't have got this far without you

I am now seeking clarification on backdated payments. Given that the PIP initial decision was overturned, I was told in the DWP confirmation letter that they will award me PIP back to March 2015 (a year backdated.) I was on basic JSA for around 4 months from March - Juney/July 2015. Should I not also be eligible for a disability premium for those 3/4 months? I was living alone without a carer during that period, and I am now currently in receipt of Severe Disability Premium, but nothing backdated. I called the DWP helpline and was told there are no disability premiums while on JSA. However, everything I am reading on the internet, suggests otherwise. Hope you can clarify the situation, and thank you again..

Hi Alison,

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know and for your kind words about B+W

The important thing with the disability premiums is that you are on income-related benefit. So, if you were on iIR JSA I believe you should be paid the premium - it certainly appears so from my quick internet search! Maybe one of my more experienced colleagues can comment further

Hi A,

Congratulations on your PIP Award !!

We do not really advise on JSA issues but looking at this extract below :


"3. Eligibility

To qualify for a disability premium with Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), you or your partner must be under pension credit age and either registered blind or getting:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Working Tax Credit with a disability element
Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Severe Disablement Allowance
Incapacity Benefit"

From : This Page

If you were claiming Income Based JSA whilst being entitled to a PIP Award, you should also be entitled to payment of The Basic Disability Premium top up for that period !

bro58

Thanks very much for your help. I'm going to write and request a backdated payment. The eligibility for these disability premiums sounds complicated!