DLA to PIP application

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My brother has received DLA for his sever clinical depression since he was around 13 (he's now 20). He got a letter asking him to apply for PIP so we phoned up and had the initial application consult blah blah and the woman said that the form would be sent to him. Some weeks later, another letter arrived saying that the form should have been sent back already as the deadline is in less than 5 days. We are both confused at this point because we didn't receive the form in the first place so my brother rang back up and explained and the man on the phone said that he would send out another form with an extension on the deadline. Now today, he recieves another letter saying that the DWP have assessed his claim and that his DLA will be stopping next week when it is originally meant to stop in June! We didn't even receive the second form they sent out!!! I don't even know what to do or think at the moment because that is all of the money he gets! Is there anything that can be done?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi izzie, This is disgraceful. i would call pip AGAIN and tell them you still haven't received the pip forms even though you have asked for them twice and request another extension, then i would see if there are any welfare rights officers in your area and call them.

    You can also try citizens advice but wefare rights are more clued up specifically on these matters. 

    I hope you get something sorted.

    Gill

    x

  • Posted

    Izzie your not the firdt person this has happened to either, its even worse if your over 60 and this happens as once over the deadline you cnat ever re apply, you lose you DLA and thats the end of it .

    This happened to Les on hear, appauling isnt.   As you say in your brothers case this is all he gets, at least when me and hubby lose our DLA being both 65 and over we will still have a sate pensions to survive on.

    You need to complain loud, this is just so unfair, no doubt another way of taking the DLA from folk and making sure they dont get the PIP  ( permantley impossible payment)  It shoud be called!

    Sue 

  • Posted

    Hi Izzie

    The DWP is full of wonderful procedures and it seems as though you have been caught up in one of its left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing situations.

    Unfortunately even though it's the most convenient way of communication the telephone is also the most unreliable when something goes wrong as the difficulty is actually establishing what was said and what was promised.

    When dealing with the DWP by phone it is always worth asking how long something should take to happen. If for example a form is not sent by the expected time then always make a query in writing and send it recorded delivery. That way there is hard evidence of what was said and any possible mistakes by the DWP.

    In your case that didn’t happen so you will have to hope that your file was updated when you contacted them via the telephone. You must contact them in WRITING and send it recorded delivery. In the letter explain your brothers mental health disability which I assume makes it difficult for him to deal with complex matters such as PIP applications and making formal complaints.

    If you can remember the date the calls were made then include them (worth checking a phone bill and printing off a copy as evidence). State what was said in the conversation and that you were awaiting the PIP forms which never arrived through no fault of your Brother. Request that the forms should be now sent out and the benefit reinstalled whilst the application is looked at.

    It might be worth contacting your MP and ask their assistance to give the matter some extra weight.

    • Posted

      Good advice, but from bitter experience fighting the DWP over missing forms, lost letters and their failure to note telphone conversations is certainly an uphill struggle.

      As far as they are concerned, if they can't see the completed document, letter or telephone note on their system, they assume that you have stuck two fingers at them. If you cannot prove that they should have received them then they weren't sent!!

    • Posted

      I agree that it is an unfair fight and the DWP have a bullying attitude which can make it almost impossible to win. However, in 'theory' all the claimant has to do is prove on the balance of probabilities that they provided the DWP with the information. Telephone calls are a form of Russian roulette and if the file is not updated then it’s game over as the balance of probabilities will be with them.

      Sending documents via recorded delivery puts you in a much stronger position as you can physically show you sent ‘something’ to the DWP and if your file is not updated then on the balance of probabilities your argument is the DWP is at fault.

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