Mandatory Reconsideration for PIP - 28 days

Ames

deannatrois wrote: »

Thank you Neil, I am only writing about the criteria I disagree with.

To Ames.., Oops so that means no communication at all with Social services. I haven't even received confirmation of receipt. So no back up from person who was at the interview which is not going to help. Bit of a bummer but nothing I can do.

Obviously I wanted the case closed but didn't expect all doors to be shut in my face so soundly. Doesn't seem right when I have done nothing wrong. Really wishing I'd not had anything to do with them at all.

I could be wrong about why they're not contacting you, but if you're not getting any response at all it makes sense.

When you've had chance to recover from the MR, look into how you get referred back to social services, hopefully when you're back into the system they'll be able to get info from the old social worker. It sounds like a complaint is in order too for the way they treated you over the kitchen and bathroom. (I totally sympathise by the way, when I moved here they did a new bathroom and it took me months to get over the stress).

deannatrois wrote: »

Yay its done lol.

I know its only 20% success with MR.., but its done now. I will get help with the appeal.

20% could be worse. If there was a 20% chance of winning the lottery I'd buy a ticket!

Danday

Ames wrote: »

I could be wrong about why they're not contacting you, but if you're not getting any response at all it makes sense.

When you've had chance to recover from the MR, look into how you get referred back to social services, hopefully when you're back into the system they'll be able to get info from the old social worker. It sounds like a complaint is in order too for the way they treated you over the kitchen and bathroom. (I totally sympathise by the way, when I moved here they did a new bathroom and it took me months to get over the stress).



20% could be worse. If there was a 20% chance of winning the lottery I'd buy a ticket!

But would you rob a bank if there was a 20% chance of being caught? Or put it another way - a 20% chance of getting a way with it?

Everything is relative.

[Deleted User]

Entirely different things. Robbing a bank is illegal, wrong and as such carries a penalty of prison. Winning the lottery carries rather less risk lol.

I am actually feeling a lot happier and more capable since I told SS's to close the case. They didn't actually manage to help with anything. Nothing went well (not their fault, just too heavy workload, I couldn't get Housing to do things but neither did SS's). But the attitude they had was very negative and to be frank, discriminatory, and didn't help at all. Just told my ex who said I was stupid and mad for saying no to the kitchen (which wasn't what I was told it would be at all, I can do much better) that that attitude is why we are no longer together. I understand why he said it of course, but I think it is rather derogatory as well. Feel a lot better lol. It will take time, and god knows how I pay for it but I will make it happen somehow, and it will be one that actually meets my needs.I'd rather have fally apart cupboards that I can reach and enough of them, than a smart kitchen with not enough cupboards I can't use. If I can put in a smart bathroom with tiles and new bath, working shower, repair damp walls etc for £300 I can do a kitchen (done one before but had a bit more money).

Danday

deannatrois wrote: »

Entirely different things. Robbing a bank is illegal, wrong and as such carries a penalty of prison. Winning the lottery carries rather less risk lol.

I am actually feeling a lot happier and more capable since I told SS's to close the case. They didn't actually manage to help with anything. Nothing went well (not their fault, just too heavy workload, I couldn't get Housing to do things but neither did SS's). But the attitude they had was very negative and to be frank, discriminatory, and didn't help at all. Just told my ex who said I was stupid and mad for saying no to the kitchen (which wasn't what I was told it would be at all, I can do much better) that that attitude is why we are no longer together. I understand why he said it of course, but I think it is rather derogatory as well. Feel a lot better lol. It will take time, and god knows how I pay for it but I will make it happen somehow, and it will be one that actually meets my needs.I'd rather have fally apart cupboards that I can reach and enough of them, than a smart kitchen with not enough cupboards I can't use. If I can put in a smart bathroom with tiles and new bath, working shower, repair damp walls etc for £300 I can do a kitchen (done one before but had a bit more money).

Good on you!!!
With an attitude like that there is no doubt that in time you could achieve anything. Pity that there aren't more people around that have that 'can do' way of thinking. So pleased for you.

[Deleted User]

Thank you. Social services are 'good people' but just not for me lolol.

I'm starting on renovating the downstairs bathroom (guest) which I can do for minimum cost. I have to wait til probationary tenancy is over before can start on kitchen - June here I come lol.

So nice to get rid of the badly applied swirly plaster coating (lots of water so doesn't affect my asthma) and horrible purple paint. Back killing me but I don't care. Hot water bottles when I can't stand it anymore. I can do this. And no ex taking over ignoring the fact that before he arrived I had been totally able to do whatever DIY needed doing (moved and reinstalled a kitchen twice by then).

I'm gonna have fun! This is the old me again, it hurts more to do stuff I used to do but that's just the way it goes.

Danday

deannatrois wrote: »

Thank you. Social services are 'good people' but just not for me lolol.

I'm starting on renovating the downstairs bathroom (guest) which I can do for minimum cost. I have to wait til probationary tenancy is over before can start on kitchen - June here I come lol.

So nice to get rid of the badly applied swirly plaster coating (lots of water so doesn't affect my asthma) and horrible purple paint. Back killing me but I don't care. Hot water bottles when I can't stand it anymore. I can do this. And no ex taking over ignoring the fact that before he arrived I had been totally able to do whatever DIY needed doing (moved and reinstalled a kitchen twice by then).

I'm gonna have fun! This is the old me again, it hurts more to do stuff I used to do but that's just the way it goes.

You could trade as a handyman and charge in the future.
As for Social Services, yes most are well meaning people, but of the times when I needed them most, on some occasions they were lacking - it is the system I believe that is wrong.

[Deleted User]

I have to be honest, I'm pretty annoyed about the social services set up. It just seems wrong that they put you in a situation that is the kind of thing you were referred for (getting overwhelmed when speaking to people, particularly multiple peoples) and then tell you you have to cope like its your fault when you can't. Its not something I switch on. I explained this in emails to them.., not a single reply. So its never going to change.

I did get the bathroom stripped (its 2m by 1m so not huge) but very much with the help of gritted teeth. But there was a health cost unfortunately. Oh well, its done now.

Michaelw

It is worh noting the case regaring appeals timescales.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/04/uk-judges-rule-dwp-wrong-to-deny-appeals-over-refused-benefits

Its a very stressful time dealing with the DWP.Afer a recent hospitalisation because of stress I was forced to reclaim Jobseekers Allowance because of an ESA catastrophe over lost certificates exe.

[Deleted User]

Believe it or not, things haven't changed much.

I remember vividly when 18 (35 years ago), living in a council flat but not really 'there' mentally so very very vulnerable. I was in and out of hospital with mental health/diabetes. Very suicidal as well.

I was told on the phone to send in sick certificates when in hospital so I did. But no record of phone call so no money. No mobile phones then (although I do realise until the 0800 number change mobiles weren't good either), only phone box, never got through on phone. So I didn't even know what the problem was. No food, no money for heating (and no food banks) for weeks til someone told me there was a social service office round the corner.

Thank god, they gave me money to tide me over and sorted the mess out within a week. This wouldn't happen nowadays of course, no local social service offices round the corner lol. I didn't have a clue, made do with no heating because I didn't know you could call in repairs to the council. Although to be honest there was no follow up by social services either as perhaps there would be now but of course I wasn't diagnosed with ASD til decades later so probably would have just been shown the door. What would have happened without that help I don't like to think about now.

Same old same old with DWP in terms of arbitary decisions in spite of doing what you were told to do due to no records being kept. However, I always make sure I take names when dealing with DWP lol. That only happens once to you!

Thank god for the internet now. I suppose it makes me realise how far I've come from those awful days.

[Deleted User]

Just had the MR answer back. Was given 4 points for mobility, 1 point I didn't have for dealing with treatment, and my allocation of 4 points for meeting people was reduced to 2. I didn't say anything about that section cause the limited 2 and three quarter pages letter had to be short and sweet. I thought leaving it would leave the 4 points as they were. Stupid me.

So slightly more points but still less than half of what I need even for standard.

But not unexpected, to be honest I was suprised they even gave mobility some points at all. Interestingly the mobility points even if only 4, were for planning a journey so there must be some consideration given for stress now as per the recent changes.

So now I have to figure out what to say on the appeal papers. Will give it a few days. There was a lot that was just ignored, including the fact that the physical assessment didn't happen like the assessor said it did (she didn't do 2/3 of the things she said she did). According to what I read its worth showing that the assessment can't be relied upon which I think I did, but all was ignored, even supporting evidence from an OT.

To be honest, I don't think anyone gets it. Even social services specialist team didn't get ASD. If they don't how will anyone else? I try not to think about it too much as it cracks me up. I'm sitting here rocking and crying just thinking about the tribunal. I know that looks extremely odd and I hate it. No I don't have anyone to go with me. Not sure how I'll cope. Had a meeting with the school (for son) last week and was in a state. My problem is when stressed I clam up trying to not break down, that didn't help with the assessment. Its going to be worse at the tribunal. Three people. I dont' do three people well.