Stressed about PIP

Driftingleaf

I need some help about my PIP and it has been stressing me out. I have mental health problems, anxiety, insomnia and been on PIP for several years now. Last year I moved and that is something I regret and went in antidepressants again, but they cause me to feel sick and create stomach upset. Things have been downhill and I am struggling with a few things and not coping great, so I avoided opening my post and burying my head in the sand. As such I missed sending back the form for how things affect me still for a PIP review and shpuld have had it in by September. I phoned them up and explained and I said why was I sent an assessment when I had PIP until July THIS year. I am sure usually it is 6 months before PIP runs out you are usually asked about how your disability impacts you. When I called I got through and passed on to another person as I asked them to check my letters they sent out about my PIP. They go you had it until 2022, but I know it was until July 2023 and of course, with me struggling and ignoring things, they stopped my PIP. No, I didn't check my bank and had a bit of savings so it covered any money loss. Anyway, I sent the form back then today looking through piles of old letters I find my PIP letter. I WAS awarded an extended PIP until July 2023 and they lied to me on the phone. I knew I remembered correctly. I will ring them tomorrow, but am I in the right and can ask them to start my payments back up and get backpay for the months they stopped it? I swear I have not been reassessed until 6 months before it ran out before, they told me it was only until 2022 I had it, but I have the letter as proof it was extended until July 2023. I did ask in my form to have my mental health struggles account for me not filling out my form and that alone ups my anxiety. Things are a mess with other aspects and not paying CT and water rates on time. Really finding it hard to cope and feel so low and cry and this has been overwhelming when I knew I had my PIP until this year and they stopped it. Thanks for any advice.

calcotti

It doesn’t matter that you award was extended from 2022 to 2023. The extensions were made so that DWP had more time in which to carry out the review. 

Failing to return the review form will normally result in the PIP claim being ended. However you can ask them to reconsider the decision to close the claim on the grounds that you have good reason for not returning the form (due to your mental health).