P.I.P. timescales...

singlehouseholder

33 weeks in and about to have to go back on the sick titanium rod snapped, so needs replacing, and further surgery to the front of my spine. Will hopefully only be in hospital a week for a week, so a week of half pay, no point claiming ESA for a week. Hopefully if I qualify for Pip that would really help ease the financial burden. It looks like a few original posters have been awarded, even if mc's/appeals will be needed.

malebolge

singlehouseholder wrote: »

33 weeks in and about to have to go back on the sick titanium rod snapped, so needs replacing, and further surgery to the front of my spine. Will hopefully only be in hospital a week for a week, so a week of half pay, no point claiming ESA for a week. Hopefully if I qualify for Pip that would really help ease the financial burden. It looks like a few original posters have been awarded, even if mc's/appeals will be needed.

Don't be too quick to dismiss ESA. I was on SSP and decided that I finally had to make the decision I could no longer work. I'd been ill for some time, gone from full time to working 2 days a week and only managed that with a lot of adaptations made by my employers. I'd never considered claiming any benefits at all, apart from SSP. I applied for, and got, my private pension some years early on the grounds of total incapacity, but there was a period of time (I reckoned 2-3 weeks, which was right) where my SSP ran out but I received a form from my employers to claim ESA.
I wasn't going to send it in, but did, mainly because I thought my national insurance stamp would be paid.
I was very surprised when I was awarded it, but expected it to stop when I started to receive my pension. It didn't. I rang them & told them, and did get rather worried I'd have to pay back the money they kept paying me. I then was told I was in the support group (didn't have a medical - just filled in the medical forms they sent) so I was getting even more money. I was seriously worried then, because when I received SSP, it was included in my wages so the final sum was the same. With ESA, I got that as well as my private pension. So I rang again.
I was told that the ESA I received was based on my national insurance contributions already paid, and was surprised to find that it is an entitlement I would get for years. They are also continuing to pay my NI stamp. Apparently this is because I am under state pension age even though I receive a private pension. It's not means tested.
It was a woman who I spoke to about ESA who said that I should apply for PIP. That was something I'd been told to do before, but had thought with working and having a decent household income, I'd not bother with. Applied for, and got, enhanced DLA and mobility for an ongoing period.
When you work, you can think - oh I'll not bother, like I did. You might not need it now, but it's handy to know for the future.

singlehouseholder

Thanks malebolge. I thought that ESA didn't cover you for the first four days of your I sickness period? I claimed it when my ssp ran out, but only claimed until I felt ready to return to work. Claimed it for around 8 weeks then ended it. I was ready to return to work, unfortunately work isn't ready for me, or my wheelchair. Although the toilets have a disabled badge on them I physically cannot get into the toilets. I was asked if I could leave chair outside and walk into loo, I wanted to grab him by the shoulders shake him and shout, " I am not strapped to this chair for fun!!" Sadly he is quite tall and I couldn't reach his shoulders from my seated position.
Dealing with major surgery, another hospital stay, in a hospital whose care standards where horrendous, from what I witnessed during my recent stay. Dealing with work, the worry of keeping my house ticking over and having to deal with benefits, it's too much for now. I may submit a retrospective claim, once I'm home from my stay at costa del hospital. Sure you can apply retrospectively ? I will have to claim ESA C as my boyfriend works and I still get half pay. I thought all income was taken into account, after you've exhausted ESA c, thankyou for the clarification.

malebolge

singlehouseholder wrote: »

Thanks malebolge. I thought that ESA didn't cover you for the first four days of your I sickness period? .

It doesn't, but at least you know for the future it's worth claiming for short periods. I was like you - I thought well, why bother. I expected to claim for 3 weeks, less the qualifying period. If you may be off longer than a week - it is worth it - specially for your NI credit as well. I was told that there's 2 sorts of ESA - and I qualified for the contribution based one. That's paid for a year, or longer if you're in the support group. It's definitely not means tested
I've checked a leaflet I was sent - it's ESA40/10/13
When I read your response it did make me think of myself, as I continued to work well past the time I really should have, so I wanted you to know that it is worth claiming. Not sure about just for 1 week, but it might be as well to check in case.
I really felt your frustration about the disabled loos. I was very lucky because I used to teach at a school that was fully adapted for disabled pupils, so were able to accommodate my needs. Not many employers are as understanding and some need strangling...
Good luck

lauriee

serendipity2706 wrote: »

Can't see how they can have had 'all your info' if they hadn't even assessed you??? Just goes to show what a shambles they're in!!

yeah thats what I thought when I read it, still waiting here myself, still waiting for Capita to do their bit

pd52

serendipity2706 wrote: »

Nearer the time get in touch with me and I'll send you a link to a document I got that give specifics of the assessment. Also the sort of thing they look for and you MUST say.

hi serendipity ive sent u a pm:)

jen0dorf

I thought when six weeks ago DWP told me " we have received the report from ATOS" I was on the closing straight.

Nah

just received my third "were sorry" letter

I''ve now waited 10 months

Nightmare, just come out of hospital to loads os letters asking for money

Anyone any idea how long the delay is?

Ian

serendipity2706

jen0dorf wrote: »

I thought when six weeks ago DWP told me " we have received the report from ATOS" I was on the closing straight

Anyone any idea how long the delay is?
Ian

Nope, I'm phoning daily, been told the decision maker takes 3 weeks, it's been with them 4 weeks now...

blackwidowz

My 3 weeks is up on thursday because of the bank holiday. I also phone daily. thats 10 months wait so far.

pd52

I have a home visit with capita tomorrow, im really anxious, havent slept since in a few days, or eaten. I cuurently have DLA Lower care and mob for anxiety , depression. I cant go on public transport and need someone with me in the car to go on familiar journeys ( cant be just anyone but someone i trust) I havent been anywhere 'unfamiliar' for over 10 years with anyone. i manage to work pt doing some admin work i find it difficult because my anxiety makes it hard to concentrate, a member of my family also works in the same place so i feel some comfort.
I have my mum drive me to and from work or have my sister with me for the journey. I reg have ATOS OHS referals done every 6 months via work. my work are supportive and allow me flexitime and time off for appoinments and reg breaks and a higher concideration point for sick days. I take citalopram and diazepam.

I dont sleep and take zopiclone too. I see my GP regularly and a mental health specialist. I dont have any friends and no releationship (who'd want a relationship with someone who cant go for a day out or spend the night at their place hey ) i dont go shopping or the cinema either. infact I dont really have life

just after some advice on what to expect tomorrow