It’s arrived …. I’ve been waiting for it since 2013. This time it wasn’t Royal Mail’s infamous tardy service, more a case of good idea failing as soon as it was put into practice.
I’m talking about the DWP migrating Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). As DLA was a benefit claimable from birth to 65 years old there have been many changes in policy, administration, review process, awards criteria during its life time, as well as medical progress with many conditions. I fully supported the need for a major review and reassessment of claimants to make things more even across all spectrums, but it was obvious that the incentive behind it was to reduce the benefit bill and ‘move’ people into work. The DWP in its ‘wisdom’ out-sourced this mammoth task to a company called Capita (also ATOS) who tendered a two year time table, an assertion of numbers of claims rejected/stopped and the minimal number of staff needed. Many of us would have seen news reports and media articles about disabled people being forced to seek work when they obviously are not able to work, as well as reports about how slow and bogged down the switching process has become, reports of Capita/ATOS staff going off sick with stress and depression, the poorly trained or qualified staff making medical decisions, the number of award decisions being appealed and subsequently awarded at a higher rate. Generally the whole business has been something of a debacle.
Now it is my turn. The brown envelope dropping on my door mat on Friday 12th was the letter informing me that my DLA award would be ceasing unless I began a PIP application within the next three weeks and that I should telephone the claim line with a list of information required.
Taking a couple of days to calm down and amass all the health professionals business addresses and telephone numbers I waited to call on Tuesday 16th. It’s never good to telephone bureaucracy on a Monday in my opinion. A twenty minute phone call where the lady zipped through her well worn script began the process. Now to wait for the heavier brown envelope containing the forms to arrive sometime within the next two weeks, or I telephone them.
The nail biting aspect is how to get across to the claim processor exactly what my limitations are with the evidence I can provide. DLA/PIP is a ‘gateway’ benefit, it is a primary indicator of a persons circumstances which means additional premiums are added to other means tested benefits (like Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit), for me that has no bearing because I’m not receiving such benefits, but for many it is their everything. Copious notes, copies of documents and records will need to be kept of the whole process just in case I need to question things or appeal a decision at a later date.
I’m off to the Gov.uk site to download a copy of the form coming and the assessors information, to educate myself.
So it begins…..
menhir1
July 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm
So it begins, as you say Anne-Marie. I was told today that a woman with M.S. who is hardly able to walk received a home visit last week from someone who was disinterested, she said, about what her condition means for her. In the next breath, it was described as a tick box exercise with no room for further involvement, or assessment. It all sounds so familiar. I think though, this is person is preparing for the worst. I hope she will be pleasantly surprised.
You are doing well to be prepared. With the negative publicity there has been about the manner in which the benefits system has been handled, I would hope that people with seriously debilitating conditions will receive better consideration from the outset. xxxx
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paulinebarclay
July 21, 2019 at 2:12 pm
I don’t know what to say, it is all wrong, but as little as this is, I am thinking of you and knowing you, you will not let them win… in the end. Bless you. Hugs xxx
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AnneMarie
July 21, 2019 at 2:16 pm
I’m reasonably confident but it’s that element of doubt in the competence of the process 🙂
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snowbird
July 21, 2019 at 7:45 pm
I think it’s absolutely disgusting that you have to be so worried, makes my blood boil. I do hope it all goes smoothly. I’d be talking to my MP if you get any strife.xxx
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AnneMarie
July 21, 2019 at 7:47 pm
As a meticulous record keeper I am preparing just in case.
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deacongill
August 21, 2019 at 8:25 pm
We should be looking after you, and people like you, not making you fight for every single thing. Shame on our government.
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