PIP Claim

minimad1970

My son has just had to apply for PIP due to his DLA ending. He had 10 days left until his forms were due back when he received a letter giving him an extra 14 days to return it. It was then due back on the 15/9, he posted it on 7/9.

Today he's received a letter informing him that as his form wasn't received on time his PIP claim was ended as was his DLA. He's just had a panic attack after reading the letter and I'm unable to calm him down, of course it being saturday he can't phone and speak to them.

Has anyone had any experience of this situation, and the likelihood of his DLA being reinstated while the PIP process continues?

Having googled it it seems that it takes a long time for the forms to be put on the system, but if you don't know the process then posting it when he did should have meant that it arrived in plenty of time.

Thanks for any help.

WhenIam64

Did he get proof of posting? Post Offices usually give it out free.

minimad1970

WhenIam64 wrote: »

Did he get proof of posting? Post Offices usually give it out free.

Unfortunately he didn't. They've received it just not on their time frame.

poppy12345

minimad1970 wrote: »

My son has just had to apply for PIP due to his DLA ending. He had 10 days left until his forms were due back when he received a letter giving him an extra 14 days to return it. It was then due back on the 15/9, he posted it on 7/9.

That's just 5 working days to receive it, if it was posted in the pre-paid envelope it will have been 2nd class posting, even with first class posting that's not enough of time for them to receive it. It should have been posted at least 10 working days before the deadline.



As he didn't get proof of posting he has no proof it was sent. All he can do is ring them first thing Monday morning. If they have received the form now, whether they will reinstate his DLA i don't know.



When transferring from DLA to PIP your DLA continues to be paid providing the forms are received on time.


Also do be aware that his DLA ending could affect any other benefits he maybe claiming, including if anyone is claiming carers allowance for looking after him.

minimad1970

Thanks poppy.

The letter says that they've received it just not on time. They really should explain in the letter how long it takes, not to just say he's got an extra 14 days when in reality that's not the case. How are people supposed to know that second class post times are different when dealing with the DWP, 5 working days is plenty usually.

His mental health is really bad at the moment and I'm concerned that this might tip him over the edge. It's going to be a very long weekend

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 wrote: »

That's just 5 working days to receive it, if it was posted in the pre-paid envelope it will have been 2nd class posting, even with first class posting that's not enough of time for them to receive it. It should have been posted at least 10 working days before the deadline.

So does that mean when they give you ~1 month to return it, it's in reality only 2 weeks?

minimad1970

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

So does that mean when they give you ~1 month to return it, it's in reality only 2 weeks?

Sounds like it :undecided

minimad1970

poppy12345 wrote: »

That's just 5 working days to receive it, if it was posted in the pre-paid envelope it will have been 2nd class posting, even with first class posting that's not enough of time for them to receive it. It should have been posted at least 10 working days before the deadline.

So when he got the letter giving him an extra 14 days he actually only really had an extra 4 days?

calcotti

Ring the DWP and ask them if they will consider treating it as received on time given the date on which it was posted - even though this cannot be proved. If they refuse ask his MP to intervene. Allowing a week for it to arrive is reasonable. Claimants should not be penalised because the DWP post sorting system is slow and if they want claimants to allow extra time they should, in my opinion, advise this in their letters.

minimad1970

calcotti wrote: »

Ring the DWP and ask them if they will consider treating it as received on time given the date on which it was posted - even though this cannot be proved. If they refuse ask his MP to intervene. Allowing a week for it to arrive is reasonable. Claimants should not be penalised because the DWP post sorting system is slow and if they want claimants to allow extra time they should, in my opinion, advise this in their letters.

Thanks. He's going to ring on monday morning, but it's keeping him calm until then that's the problem. He has autism and also suffers with anxiety and depression.

I agree that a week should be plenty of time.

poppy12345

minimad1970 wrote: »

So when he got the letter giving him an extra 14 days he actually only really had an extra 4 days?

You need to allow time for them to receive it..