I can't afford the PIP calls anymore! In tears!

MrsMJ

For over a year I have been going through the transition from DLA to PIP. I am sorry in advance for this long, emotional post - But today, I am on the brink of a breakdown after taking far too much from these people.

Firstly, the process from start to finish has been nothing short of a nightmare. 3 missing 'how your disability affects you' forms (including one filled out by THEIR benefits advisor who came to my house) cutting of my DLA because of this, which meant mutability weren't getting paid and it took months to get this money back.

Calls OUT of the call centre are NEVER recorded, so they promise you THE WORLD and it never happens. The staff lie, they make up false promises and they do whatever they can to get you off the line.

The waiting times for the phone to be picked up is unbelievable, thank goodness I cannot work at the moment - I wouldn't have time with all the times I have to sit for 40-90 minutes waiting to be answered or waiting in for 5 days for their 'call backs' because god forbid I lose reception and don't get their call, I will need to call them back for another 90 minutes to wait for another call back within 5 days. I am paying out hundreds of pounds in call charges to PIP, I simply cannot afford it anymore.

They made a decision on my PIP WITHOUT SPEAKING TO MY GP! How is this even possible? They gave me standard on both elements without ANY evidence other than a single chat with an advisor and measuring of my muscle mass on one leg. He did not examine me in any other way, he did not look at scars or have any surgeon/gp/physio reports at all. I have a bone deformity from birth, I use a wheelchair 95% of the time, indoors and 100% of the time outdoors, except transfers. I can't walk without aids. I am in constant severe pain due to my bone deformity, arthritis in my hips, knees, back & a pelvis deformity. Some days, I cannot get out of bed at all. My children are tremendous helps with shoes, picking things up, reaching things etc - but I do not like to rely on them, so I had a PA. I asked for it to be reviewed, they told me to send in an appeal form, which I did, this was then noticed to be an error as I needed a mandatory reconsideration not an appeal. I complained, the complaints manager seemed to be doing what was required, put the MR through and assured me once I had my return date for my Motability car they could speed up the process. Today I call to be told, the security information provided had blocked her out of the account and I had to call back, waiting 25minutes to be answered again. When I did, I gave the exact same details and go through only to be told the mandatory reconsideration had not been done.....and there was no information on the system of this being done and that I had missed the deadline....

In days time, I lose my Motability car - my only way of getting anywhere. I have no access to public transport, because I live in a rural area and don't live near any bus stops, I can't manage PT on my own even if it was available and I cannot afford taxis. I can't afford my personal assistant/carer anymore, which kept me able to get out and about with some help and my car.

I now need to contact social work for help to keep me independent by requesting a carer paid for by them and someone to look after my children while I go on hospital transport to my many hospital appointments (because kids can't go on HT and I can't look after them in public without my PA). I also need to arrange school transport, paid for by the council - because I have no way of walking them to school and I will have no car.

Losing my car is like losing all my limbs. Without it, I am stuck indoors and so are my children. Feeling so stressed out, lonely and constantly in tears over the stress of it all - I simply cannot take anymore. I have always been relatively positive and tried to overcome the hurdles life throws at me, but this is just becoming unbearable and making me feel extremely low and unable to cope.

I want them to understand, appreciate and correct all of this - but it's not happening. I am now feeling completely unable to call and manage this anymore, do I have any options? Can I arrange for someone else to manage this? I can't do it anymore, my whole family are suffering because of this and it's unbearable

pmlindyloo

I am wondering if your husband is able to take a few days holiday/compassionate leave and help you sort this out?

If I have understood you correctly you need someone to speak about your MR for PIP being out of time due to circumstances beyond your control - i.e they keep making official errors?

I also read from your previous threads that you have dealt with CAB. Can you return to CAB and ask them to speak on your behalf and sort this all out? You should be able to put in another/late MR. Have you sent them medical evidence yourself? They do not routinely contact your GP so it always best to send medical evidence.

Don't worry about this at the moment.

Go to CAB and let them take this over.

MrsMJ

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

We have maxed out on OH's (we are not married) holidays, he has had quite a bit of compassionate leave already, but he is the only one able to do his job and he really needs to get this promotion if we have any chance of keeping our home. He could be medically discharged (military) if he's not careful about time off and performance, so he has made it clear he will not be taking anymore time off.

I called CAB and they told me I need to call DWP as they can't do this on my behalf and are already overrun with PIP calls.

I gave them all of my surgeon, GP, physio details as I always did with DLA - they did not tell me I had to provide evidence myself at all. I have never had to do this, DLA have always done this on my behalf and the PIP form asks for permission to do this as well? My surgeons next available appointment is 6 weeks time, his secretary said they can give a list of my conditions but for more details evidence on how it affects me, he would need to see me.

PIP is just not fit for purpose, the fact I was given ANY money without any real evidence is just scary and it shouldn't be that way. We should be assessed fully or have our medical professional provide that assessment - not some nurse who just asks questions and doesn't even examine you. How can you truly understand someones disability by word alone? DLA was much less stressful to manage and the team of people you spoke to were really good, switching to PIP has been nothing short of traumatic

jack84

I cannot begin to understand how stressful and depressing your current situation must be - but I do sympathise for you - and I hope you can have your mobility car money renewed asap.

The only suggestion I have, Is the next time they call you back, or you call them is ask for a landmine number to call instead .

as the costs are mounting up so high, when calling - I would suggest to be as vigilant as you can be if ever you need to call them - Im not saying this is any kind of solution - but try and call at the least busy times of day i.e 7.59 am, or 8am to get in the queue straight away.

As for being entitled to personal assistance - I admit I do not know, But I would reccomend getting an appointment made with your nearest CAB, as they may be able to get to the nitty gritty of what your allowed.
Best wishes, and try to stay positive

EDIT
Just read the CAB are turning you away. I know that they are run mostly by volunteers, and they are already dealing with many pip cases,but even so I would persevere! Or try a different CAB. Or just go there in person without an appointment then they should see you - there and then. It might be a bit ruthless, But I don’t see you have any other choice.

perhaps its going to have to be a case of CAB's bursting at the seams for the government to see - pip is not working.

xylophone

How can you truly understand someones disability by word alone? DLA was much less stressful to manage and the team of people you spoke to were really good, switching to PIP has been nothing short of traumatic

Have you tried contacting your MP?

xylophone

The only suggestion I have, Is the next time they call you back, or you call them is ask for a landmine number to call instead .

Not a good idea!:eek:

jack84

xylophone wrote: »

Not a good idea!:eek:

oops!!!!!!! sorry.

lol, 'land line' - I don’t think a landmine would be very helpful in this particular case !

NYM

I'm so sorry the whole process is causing you such stress. As for the call costs, is there not a freephone number that you can use to call them?

pmlindyloo

Follow this link to find out how to contact your MP/local councillor:

http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/

Is there a family member/neighbour /good friend who can make the telephone calls for you?

You need to ask for a Subject Access Request to your GP. He/she should have all the medical evidence that you need. They may charge you for this but it will be worth every penny.

Will be back with a link.

duchy

How is it that all commercial companies have 03 numbers yet this government depart doesn't ?

OP if you haven't done so already I'd urge you to contact your MP (details here if you don't know who and how http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/) and email the basics (or just a copy of your original post together with your NI number). Send it to both the House of Commons email address and the constituency one.


Ooops posted with Lindy

pmlindyloo

Link for medical record request

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?categoryid=68