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6 months 1 week ago #291121 by Jlb
Please Help was created by Jlb
I have been on PIP for the last few years. I'm 56 this year and ended up on PIP after years of working full time and never claiming any benefits. I ended up on PIP as I went through sever domestic abuse which left me suffering depression, anxiety and I have been diagnosed with PTSD and BPD, I'm also currently on a waiting list for ADHD. Physically I have osteoporosis, arthritis, hypertension (had a mini stroke a few years ago) fibromyalgia, bladder incontinence and menopause symptoms. I live on my own with my 3 teenage children so have no partner to help me. I struggle with daily activities due to the pain from the fibromyalgia so struggle doing the more heavy household duties like getting on my knees and cleaning the shower/bath, hoovering stairs (I'm in a 3 story house so loads of stairs), I struggle to cook due to the pain in my hands and often drop heavy pans and have suffered many a burn from dropping heavy pans full of hot fat or boiling water. I cant walk far (yes I can walk and not need a walking aid) but I get out of breath due to my hypotension and in pain with my fibromyalgia/arthritis. The list could go on.

When I was first awarded PIP I was given high rate care and low rate mobility which really helped as I was then able to pay for a cleaner to come in once a week and just to the cleaning jobs I struggled to do. I had a gardener once a week to just keep my small garden tidy. I brought various supplements on line to help with my conditions (as you know supplements are not cheap but GPs don't offer this type of help anymore on prescription). I also paid for basic exercise classes as I found someone who specialised in the health conditions I have and was advised by the pain clinic at hospital that gentle swimming and exercises in water helps (doesn't cure) the conditions I have. A year after being awarded high rate care, low rate mobility I got called in for a video assessment. After the assessment I received the assessors report and it was full of lies and they removed my mobility and reduced my care to low rate. I was devastated so done a mandatory reconsideration which failed so I then paid for help from a company called Fight Back 4 Justice and they processed a tribunal. Before it even got to tribunal PIP backtracked and re awarded me my high rate care, low rate mobility which was a massive release. But yet again a year later then done the same thing to me, got called in for another assessment by video link, I asked for it to be recorded and they refused, the assessor was horrible and I was in tears and as expected her report was full of lies and they again removed my mobility and reduced my care back to low rate. Again I done a mandatory reconsideration and again it was rejected so again I paid for Fight Back 4 Justice to process tribunal. This back in March 2024 when my PIP was reduced and I have been waiting on a tribunal case since, so its been a year now I have been left to suffer without the support I got from PIP as I'm now just getting low rate care which does not cover the things I use to pay for to help me. I have really deteriorated this past year and its effected my mental health to an extent I just want to die but I have 3 beautiful children I need to be here for. All 3 of my children also suffer depression as they were also abused by their father so I have to care for them as well.
Im in bits, PIP has had all the evidence from my GP on my conditions and my GP kindly wrote a supporting letter on how I am struggling and not coping without the higher support of PIP but even with all that evidence PIP are still sticking to a tribunal date to which after 12mths I still don't have a date.
Can anyone give any advise as I'm falling apart, I cant keep my house as clean as I did before and I'm in private rented accommodation and have an inspection every 6mths, this stresses me as I have gone through 2 section 21 evictions in the past (not any fault of me as I keep my house clean but its landlords wanted more money and wanted in increase rent by a good £200 more a month). So I am desperate to keep this house spotlessly clean but since having my PIP reduced means I cant afford to buy in the help I was getting so I'm now scared stiff that when my landlord does his next inspection he wont me happy an I will be evicted.
I am thinking of now writing a letter of complaint to PIP and copying in my MP or the person in parliament who governs benefits and wondered what anyone else's thoughts are on this of any advise please.

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6 months 1 week ago #291123 by Chris
Replied by Chris on topic Please Help
Hi Jlb,

Post approved, and hopefully one of our other claimants can advise you with their opinions in relation to this.

Chris.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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6 months 1 week ago #291138 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Please Help
Jlb

Please understand that the tone of my response is not intended to be aggressive or demeaning.

What are you going to complain about, you are in the middle of a legal process. The DWP have made a Decision based on the advice they have received from their assessor.

Is it correct, maybe not, however, it does strike me from your post that you are concentrating on things that PIP does not consider, you mention cleaning multiple times and gardening, these may well be things of value to you but they are not for PIP, you would be better concentrating on the things that PIP does look at, like your problems with cooking.

What are Fight Back 4 Justice doing with your appeal, have they made a submission?

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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6 months 1 week ago #291152 by Blueberry Owl
Replied by Blueberry Owl on topic Please Help
Hi jlb

The issue with your PIP award is unlikely to be resolved quickly so I would suggest you look at rejigging your finances and your expenditure around what you have coming in at the moment.

Prioritise what is essential to you at home and what can be put aside for another time in terms of cleaning etc…. Perhaps someone in the family can help out a little?

Citizens Advice can help you with any issues dealing with debt or just dealing with many of the various organisations.

I wonder also if you might benefit from some counselling? Perhaps your GP can refer or signpost you for that?

Try and keep in mind that you won your first tribunal and if all your circumstances are the same as before I can’t see why you would not win this one too.

Then they can back pay you all you are owed.

If you have sent in all your evidence etc… and now are just waiting for a tribunal date, maybe use this interim time to concentrate on other things that need your attention including looking after your own health. One day at a time and all that?

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