SDP PIP

Nicky21

I put in for sdp and a lady rang me to say I could not have it, said I have a man living with me. I do not, and live alone.
I am classed has blind, and have just got full PIPs on both for 10+
I had a telephone interveiw and was told all was fine.
I have heard nothing since, but to scared now to put in  for it again. I am 67 and the lady was very nasty and rude.

Nicky21

Help With This Please

Ajk110

Welcome. I'm sorry that this happened to you. Did you get the lady's name? I think it is always good to find out who you are talking to because it allows you to highlight good and poor service.

Anyway, you have nothing to lose for trying to claim again, particularly if you feel that your living arrangements have been inaccurately recorded.

If you have further questions, we have a dedicated forum area for questions to a benefits advisor. Link is:

https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-a-benefits-advisor

You also say that you are blind. You may find help from RNIB, or your local visually impaired society. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

Aidan

Sam_Alumni

Hi @Nicky21 welcome to the community, I am sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.  I don't think people understand just how upsetting it can be to be on the other side of a call with someone who isnt empathetic. 

I have moved your post to the 'ask a benefits advisor' category and hope they will be able to offer support alongside our members too.

Nicky21

Thank You. I never got chance to get her name, my son answered and just passed the phone to me.
I will try RNIB, Vista do not do anything like this.

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi Nicky21

We see lots of errors made with the severe disability premium, I'm afraid. If you get a qualifying benefit, live alone or treated as living alone, and no-one gets carer's allowance for caring for you - then you are eligible for the premium.

You can ask over the phone for the SDP to be included but it may be a good idea to back it up in writing. If the DWP has made an error it may be that they owe you for the past period and it can amount to a large payment of arrears, so don't give up!

The usual practice is for the DWP to send a form (IS10) on which you are asked to confirm a number of things including your living arrangements. A decision should then follow. If the decision is that you don't qualify for the SDP you have a right to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. If the decision is still not changed to your satisfaction you then have a right to appeal to an independent tribunal.

If you have not had a written decision since your request for the SDP then you should call/write to the DWP again and ask for a written decision. When you've got the written decision let us know and we will be able to advise further.

David