PIP review, was late, due to extreme circumstances.

I had review form for PIP and phoned CAB for appointment, it was after form was to be returned by, but I was advised, no problems we will explain the delay to PIP. During that time, my brother collapsed outside his home, I was phoned, as next of kin, to return to my brother, I was only coming through my front door after visiting my brother. So had to ride back to my brother’s 4 miles on my bicycle. My brother was taken to hospital and his large staffy was left to me to sort out. I tried going back and forth to my home to feed my cats and getting phone calls of howling/barking dog at my brother’s home. I was stressed and had to keep this up for 5 days non-stop, I suffer horrendous Migraines & the day I was supposed to complete my review form with CAB I was suffering nausea, throbbing & painful Migraine. I phoned CAB to cancel, they gave me another appointment for 2 weeks later & told me to phone PIP DWP and let them know, I did and was told over phone my case was closed. Upset I explained the reasons, the adviser said when you receive our letter, you have 4 weeks to send the completed form in with a cover letter explaining reasons for delay. But, when I had phone app. with CAB, the adviser told me to forget it and ask for a new claim form for PIP. I worriedly questioned this advice and was assured, best “course of action” Thus, I phoned and asked for new claim form for PIP, I really am in a terrible state stressed out, I moved my brother organised and sorted alone, got him to a place nearer to family, then he suffered a very serious fall, multiple fractures…and I had too take charge again…the stress was through the roof. Anyway, after I asked for new claim form. I was angry at myself for following this advice,as PIP people had already told me to send review claim form in with an explanatory note. I did send a detailed letter in afterwards asking PIP could they reconsider their decision re my PIP. My PIP was stopped on 15th and my ESA was reduced to a total of £159.05 week. I am so confused and not sleeping, eating, very frequent Migraines and now I really don’t know where to go for help with this problem with PIP, I was on enhanced for both mobility and care.

Thank you. I will try phoning them again, as you suggested. I am totally in bits due to my brothers problems and my own and this seems to be the icing on the cake!