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

Bogalot

duchy wrote: »

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

They do have 0345 numbers. The PIP one is 0345 8503322.

NeilCr

jack84 wrote: »

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.

As a general point CABs will usually only see people for casework in their own area. So going to another CAB isn't likely to work

OP. What was it the CAB wanted you to talk to the DWP about? Was it to see if a MR was possible still?

MrsMJ

Thank you everyone for your responses.

They have 0345 numbers, not 08 anymore, however each call is costing me several pounds to call, everytime from a PAYG mobile. Often not even being able to pass security and being able to speak to them or the buck being passed yet again and having to wait a call back.

I live in a very rural area, our nearest CAB is over an hour and 15 away, which even with my car, I cannot drive and get to on my own as I need help with getting my chair out and can't drive that distance myself. I also have a lot of hospital appointments and I need dedicated days of rest or I'm out for weeks, so trying to fit in 2 hour round trips + appointment time around school hours is REALLY difficult. But I am running out of options completely.

I did contact my MP, but I haven't got a response yet. Everyone from the council to social work and CAB are all overrun with help requests due to PIP, everything is taking so long.

My active days consist of almost 10 hours of calling call centres trying to get this resolved or trying to get help from agencies, being passed around, waiting for call backs and looking for information and help. Why can't they just come spend a day with me and see what it's like? This is seriously affecting my mental health, but I feel utterly powerless and really struggling to cope. My OH feels powerless and the strain on him as well is taking it's toll.

CAB told me to hand the motability car back and call social work about the kids not going to school, that would speed things up - but I don't want them to miss school and I don't want them to be used as some sort of weapon.

MrsMJ

NeilCr wrote: »

OP. What was it the CAB wanted you to talk to the DWP about? Was it to see if a MR was possible still?

My letter I filled out stated I wanted a MR, however the form they told me to put it on was intact an appeal form for AFTER a MR. Regardless, I stated at the top I requested a MR and although the courts sent it back, the complaints manager at PIP said she could clearly see it was a MR on an appeal form in error and that I had entered it in the recommended time and she would have this assigned and dealt with asap. She told me to call back when I had a date for the car to be returned and they could speed up the MR process, however when I did this the person said there was no mention of this in the notes and that the MR had not even been registered yet....

Every time they 'call back' I feel I am repeatedly told lies just to get me off the phone because what they say is never whats in the notes. I asked if I can record the calls, to which they said no - they will hang up. I have asked if they can record them, they said no. I have asked for letter proof of whats being said, they said they can't do this. I feel like I have absolutely no rights in being treated fairly or to have these things recorded for my own benefit and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it

wellynever

Not sure it will help the OP, but might help others, if you have wifi install Foocall on the mobile and top up with £5 use the wifi option when calling it cost's 1p a min.

MrsMJ

Bogalot wrote: »

This is bad advice, for the reasons you note but also because social services are unlikely to help. It would be the education welfare team that would deal with absence issues and difficulties with getting to school, not SS. Then the likelihood of getting financial help from them is pretty low. Policies will vary, but in my area transport is only provided where the child is disabled, not the parent. Also, even if they will assess based on your needs, they'll look at all other options before granting you any help, and that would include your husband, whether that is practical or not.

You may find a more generous welfare service than most, but I think that you are right to discount CAB's advice in this respect.

Thank You, I am not married and by the way things are going, don't think our relationship will last much longer under this strain. He is already expected to support me and my children financially off his wage and now expected to become my carer and give up work to do so. It might be actually more beneficial for everyone involved if we do split up.

pmlindyloo

A couple of suggestions.

Contact these people - I have heard good reports.

http://disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk/contact/

Next, contact your children's school and explain the situation. They may be able to offer support/help with getting your children to school.

Is there anyone who lives near you who could do the school run for you?

MrsMJ

pmlindyloo wrote: »

A couple of suggestions.

Contact these people - I have heard good reports.

http://disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk/contact/

Next, contact your children's school and explain the situation. They may be able to offer support/help with getting your children to school.

Is there anyone who lives near you who could do the school run for you?

Thank you. Unfortunately not, there is no-one nearby who can do the school run we don't live in our home town anymore

xylophone

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71188869#Comment_71188869

OP, you mention your pregnancy in the above post - the stress and distress of your situation can be doing you no good at all - can your midwife suggest any additional sources of assistance?

baldelectrician

May I suggest a couple of things
You have kids- they may have an old phone that is better than yours (I would suggest an android phone - then you can get an app that will record the calls and email them to you (or save them to an SD card)
If you go with a sim only deal this will give you lots of minutes
Tesco Mobile do 5000 texts and 5000 mins for less than £18 per month, you can add data as well.