Benefits reduced

Spoonie_Turtle

venomx said:

poppy12345 said:

The SDP in your ESA is linked to the daily living award for PIP. Without that the SDP stops. Also if you're privately renting your home, single and you're under 35 then you will now only be entitled to the shared rate of LHA. You need to report the changes to your local Authority.

Although you have 1 month to request the MR you actually have 13 months with good reason. For benefits advice from an agency near you have a look at this link here and it will tell you what's local to you for support https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Very strange they can halve my benefits then think it's OK to reduce my housing benefit at the same time. Makes no sense at all, if my benefits were to reduce, I'll have barely enough money for food and bills, let alone paying extra for my flat.

So they are effectively taking money off me, then expecting me to pay more 

Because officially you are no longer disabled, no longer have the extra costs associated with that, and no longer need a one-bedroomed place of your own and can magically start living in shared accommodation from the date of the PIP decision … !

Rubyroobs

Has anything changed/ improved with your health ? Did you score any points for your assessment ? I would seek help from CAB or similar with an MR and start gathering evidence to support your case. Do you have mental health professionals/ CPN who could help support you with a letter or report?

venomx

Yeah I have a psychiatrist and a cpn, also care workers who help me each week.

My diagnosis is a long term mental health condition.

venomx

Got the decision in writing today.  It tells me how the points were scored which I understand...
 However where it says " My Decision " there is a huge long piece of text, without paragraphing, full of typos, contradictions and things that don't even make sense - and is just confusing to read.

I have got the MR form printed off and will take it to the citizens advice, is this the best thing to do ?

KxMx

Yes that's the best thing to do.

A poorly written decision is definitely going to help. 

HillStreetBlues

venomx said:

Got the decision in writing today.  It tells me how the points were scored which I understand...
 However where it says " My Decision " there is a huge long piece of text, without paragraphing, full of typos, contradictions and things that don't even make sense - and is just confusing to read.

I have got the MR form printed off and will take it to the citizens advice, is this the best thing to do ?

My last decision letter was like that.
But I was lucky as I didn't have to appeal, so I've not read it.
I've had a few goes at it but give up as just becomes a blur.

venomx

Thanks guys.
It says I must request the mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of the date of the letter.
The letter is dated 1st April, I only received it yesterday!  Is this supposed to be a joke ?

I'll need to get some supporting information from my consultant and is unlikely I can do all of this within a couple of weeks.

I would much rather fill out the form and send it off than do it over the phone as I don't like being put on the spot and feel I can provide more information via the form.

poppy12345

You have 13 months to request the MR. If you're outside of the 1 month then you must give a reason why you're late. If they refuse the late request you simply proceed to Tribunal.

KxMx

You can note the date you recieved the decision letter on the MR form, and say medical evidence to follow. 

Alice_Holt

KxMx said:

You can note the date you recieved the decision letter on the MR form, and say medical evidence to follow. 

     Personally I'd not do this.  I suspect the chances of the DWP matching later evidence with an MR form may be slim.

    Since the OP has medical evidence, I'd make the MR as compelling as possible in the hope that the decision is changed at MR stage (one of the c.20% that are).

    I'd include reasons for lateness the postal delays in receiving the decision letter, and getting the evidence to include with the MR.  As poppy says the deadline is 13 months (with reasons required for being past the 1 month).

   A written MR is best as all the evidence can be included. Keep a copy in case it's lost by the DWP, and get proof of posting.