Fórum PIP claim help, plus ESA, DLA & Universal Credit

Hi, I'm pleased to say my PIP award AR1 review remained the same following 6 months of repeated extensions and extreme distress. I was awarded zero points for moving around. Which didn't reflect the severity of my new condition in relation to this activity at all.This left me 2 points short of an enhanced mobility award. I was awarded enhanced daily living and standard mobility. I didn't question it by calling them or submit a mandatory reconsideration because I couldn't bear it and afraid they might force a full reassessment and my award being reduced or stopped altogether. I very much appreciated I had a paper based assessment and spared the dreaded Face to Face. I was also given a 10 year award. The time limit for making any MR has passed.I still feel I want to speak to a decision maker to understand how they arrived at such a conclusion. I'm worried if I call them and ask them to explain their reasoning they might force a full reassessment even if I say very clearly I purely wish to understand. In your experience has making such a call rocked the boat to the point they force a full reassessment? Perhaps the wisest is just to leave it alone? That being said I feel it reasonable for a decision maker to be asked to justify as to why and how they arrived at awarding zero points. If I were to speak to a decision maker and they look at my submission and recognise the reliability, safely and repeatedly criteria have been wrongly applied, what action might they take? As always yo

Hello, I was hoping to get some advice about Work Capabilty Assessments please. To be honest I find it hard to keep up with the situation regarding the WCA. I understand it will probably be abolished at some stage in the coming years, however, I wondered if I could please have some advice about what the current situation is. I was awarded LCWRA in March 2025. When I requested the medical report the prognosis stated ‘I advise the client should be re-referred in 2 years’. I did provide a lot of evidence when I was assessed (it was a paper based assessment not in person) including a letter from my psychiatrist stating that it was likely I would never be fit for work (I am currently in my early sixties). My psychiatrist and my mental health nurse also stated that I have severe and enduring mental health problems and that assessments are extremely stressful for me. The health professional who wrote up the WCA report noted ‘evidence reviewed indicates severe mental health issues which are ongoing with prolonged specialist input also suicidal ideation’ at the end of the report it is stated that ‘although the psychiatrist letter states they will likely never be fit to work, unable to support a severe condition with mental health difficulties at this time however with the evidence provided, 2 years is most appropriate at this time’ - I really don’t understand that summing up to be honest and I feel that 2 years does not seem long giving my difficulties. In a previous question I posted

Hi - I am due to go to Spain for 2 weeks soon and I just wondered, does anyone know if I *have* to inform UC / the DWP that I’m going away? I am on ESA and UC, can’t recall which group it’s called, but it’s the one where I don’t need to report in regularly. Thanks

Hi folks, I'm in receipt of a fit note for CFS and IBS. I have been left alone by Brighton job center for about three years with these difficulties going on.. I was called in randomly the week before last, for ten minutes, just to be asked - anything to report? Odd that considering I have a UC journal to write in. I said a worsening of conditions and left. Anyway, I've now been informed that I have another ten minute in person appointment - quote: Attend your work search interview in a job center. This is to review what you're doing to meet your commitments and agree next steps to increase your chances of getting work or earning more. If you miss this mandatory UC appointment without what we believe to be a good reason, your payment will be affected. This is called a sanction. So, at the moment I do not have any work search requirements, they are turned off. I've had brief appointments about every six months on the phone for three years. I replied saying I'm concerned about getting to the appointment, because the day before I have a Dr.s appointment and I am likely to be wiped out after it for a number of days. I also asked if something had changed when - I got a reply saying would you like a work capability assessment then you won't have to attend the job center every two weeks. So I asked has something changed - I was not aware I had to do that? that has not been the case. - so maybe a mistake of that person or?? Are you folks at BW aware of any changes? Two questions pleas

Hi folks, I'm in receipt of a fit note for CFS and IBS. I have been left alone by Brighton job center for about three years with these difficulties going on.. I was called in randomly the week before last, for ten minutes, just to be asked - anything to report? Odd that considering I have a UC journal to write in. I said a worsening of conditions and left. Anyway, I've now been informed that I have another ten minute in person appointment - quote: Attend your work search interview in a job center. This is to review what you're doing to meet your commitments and agree next steps to increase your chances of getting work or earning more. If you miss this mandatory UC appointment without what we believe to be a good reason, your payment will be affected. This is called a sanction. So, at the moment I do not have any work search requirements, they are turned off. I've had brief appointments about every six months on the phone for three years. I replied saying I'm concerned about getting to the appointment, because the day before I have a Dr.s appointment and I am likely to be wiped out after it for a number of days. I also asked if something had changed when - I got a reply saying would you like a work capability assessment then you won't have to attend the job center every two weeks. So I asked has something changed - I was not aware I had to do that? that has not been the case. - so maybe a mistake of that person or?? Are you folks at BW aware of any changes? Two questions pleas

I have been approached by someone who has gone through MR and video attended an Appeal hearing only for the hearing to be adjourned as the panel wanted 2 years of medical records directly from claimants GP in addition to all the specialist reports they had in front of them. They also recommended that the claimant gets representation. I am a qualified Legal Advisor. Can I represent them at the video hearing and, if so, what procedures need to happen now to advise of this. Thanks

Hi their my usual uc statement hasn’t sown was meant to be on the 10th for payment on the 14th anyone had this before

LCWRA at £217.26 despite starting the WCA process before April. Should I get £429.80? Hi everyone. My first LCWRA payment is due this September, but my statement includes £217.26 rather than the protected £429.80 rate. I’m worried and would appreciate some advice. Here’s my timeline — all dates are in 2026: • 11 February — Started UC and reported my health condition and fit note. I’ve supplied continuous fit notes. • 26 March — DWP accepted my fit note and sent a journal message confirming they would send me a WCA50 questionnaire. • 1 April — Posted my completed WCA50 with supporting evidence and recorded this in my journal. • 20 July — Had my telephone Work Capability Assessment. • 27 July — Awarded LCWRA. • 11 September — Statement issued showing the LCWRA element at £217.26. I did have earnings above the WCA assessment threshold in February, March and April. DWP has used 11 May as the start of my three-month waiting period, with LCWRA first payable for 11 August–10 September. I already have a Mandatory Reconsideration pending about that start date. My question here is about the lower RATE. My understanding of DWP’s ADM Memo 04/26, paragraph 8.1, is that claimants whose assessment was pending on 5 April 2026 can qualify for the protected higher rate when subsequently awarded LCWRA. 1. Does my March WCA50 correspondence and April submission mean I should qualify for that protection? 2. Could my earlier earnings affect the protected rate, even though the assessment process wa

Hello. Does anyone know of an institution which would be able to hold a modest PI payment for under 10,000? So few banks etc seem to do it now, 10 years ago my trustees and I opened a Trust PI account with Metro bank, instant access. A small amount of interest p/a and no withdrawals. Had to countersign lead trustee change of address form recently and was infomed by Metro that this was the wrong account for the PI (after 10 years and no notice). They want me to open another account with them with a slightly different name still called a Trust account, pay them £150 and £5 a month to run it as is was a small deposit! I think this is really odd as well as unfair. Metro have also been an unhelpful and abrupt company to deal with. However if the money can be moved to another bank/b society, would I need to notify the DWP (again) and would the money then count as savings....hence pushing me over the £6000 limit allowed by the DWP as discounted towards benefit calculations? Could I argue with Metro that the account I have was missold and has been in effect a Holding Account since they have changed the Terms and Conditions without notifiying me first? Thanks

Hi, My daughter (who is now 19) child benefit stopped as her course ended on 31st August. However the universal credit stopped for her from last UC date - 15th August (statement runs from 9th-8th). I have queried this with UC and they said they cannot pay partial payments. But as a single parent, it seems really unfair that this happens. If I had earned more that month, they would have changed amount, but not if your dates do not quite marry up. I know there is possibly not a lot I can do, but wondered if I could challenge it?

Hello, I am over 65 years old and on PIP both for the daily living allowance and mobility. My last review extended the benefit for ten years. Is this the maximum extension time given or are some people awarded ongoing? I have mislaid the letter giving the exact date but I am fairly sure the review was due this year. My health has deteriorated but not to the extent I'd be given an increased award. I have been on PIP for nearly twenty years. I had heard that the DWP were doing a light touch review for some people, but am unsure who that applies to? Having been on DLA and then transferred to PIP and having to go to Tribunal the thought of having to do a full reassessment is duanting! I am 74 yrs old. Thanks.

Hello ~ Does one receive a confirmation from W and B in one’s Inbox Mail , on completion of payment ? Many Thanks , Weymouth .