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Help with Pip investigation

dave68
dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
Hi all .. pleased to meet you ! .. I'm in need of advice on a very stressful subject , I have severe schuuermans kyphosis disease which gives me restrictive lung capacity along with scoliosis which makes every day a challenge ! I was awarded Pip 3 years ago and have a mobility car etc.. out of the blue I got a awful letter saying my Pip benefit has been suspended and that I've to attend a meeting under caution , I spoke to my solicitor whom advised me not to attend and he wrote to them of his advice .. can anyone tell me what happens next and what to do as I'm terrified of losing my car as without it I'd lose my independance .. I have given dwp/pip  copies of years of evidence from doctors and specialists over my condition . Any advice would be very grateful as my health is now starting to suffer ..
Thank you 

Comments

  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Wow that's very very interesting reading indeed which has answered a lot of questions for me so thank you for this ! 
    They suspended my benefit but only my Pip my esa hasn't been stopped I've been told that they can't stop my benefit entitlement until they have spoke to me .. is this correct ?
    Thanks again for the great advice .. 
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Update.. 2 people from dwp turned up at my home today and handed me a letter that said that due to me not turning up to there appointment (advice from my solicitor) that what info they've been given on a possible change in my circumstances has been sent to a decision maker ? Does this sound like someone has decided to report me ? I'm very confused and my mental health has started to deteriate over all this as I have no idea what they are assuming .. 
  • kalen
    kalen Community member Posts: 13 Connected
    Hi, that's what it sounds like to me. I believe your solicitor has given you bad advice because disability benefit is not an automatic legal right, it is a benefit and DWP can ask you at any time to attend an interview and by doing this they are, yes, probably acting on information they have received, but still giving you the opportunity to put you side to them. Had you attended the interview, where you would have been well within you rights to have someone with you you could have prevented any further problems for yourself. 
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    I’m now wishing I had ignored my solicitors advice now .. is there anyway To get in touch with the disability benefits to sort this mess out ..
    many kind thanks .. 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @dave68
    If it would help, you could try speaking to one of our helpline staff? You can call them on 0808 800 3333
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,348 Disability Gamechanger
    HI,

    I really do not understand why your solicitor told you not attend the IUC, it would have given you a chance to have your say and defend yourself. At this stage i'm not sure what else you can do but wait for that decision. Good luck.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Hi , yes most people have now said the same ! His advice has caused me a lot of stress .. thank you for your message .
  • atlas46
    atlas46 Community member Posts: 826 Pioneering
    Hi

    I have read the links that @Username_removed kindly put up for you to consider and his own experience of IUC.

    Hylton Potts law firm, advices take a solicitor with you to the IUC.

    Other suggestions solicitor writes to DWP to find out what matters are of concern and any additional information, "then my client will be happy to visit your offices with me".

    Suggest you speak to solicitor for a copy of his letter to DWP.

    I would also speak to Motability Scheme about your situation.

    More importantly get some welfare rights advice from CAB.

    For me I would always attend such a meeting, as I know for certain I have done nothing wrong (accompanied by a welfare rights advisor).
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Thank you I'll call my solicitor tomorrow and suggest this . 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,348 Disability Gamechanger
    As they've suspended your PIP award i'm assuming you've also had to return the mobility car, as there's no payments to pay for this?
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    No I've still got the car but that's my biggest worry as without it my independance is gone ! 
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Would it be worth phoning dwp and try and refresh arrange an appointment ? At the end of the day I havent done anything wrong my circumstances have not changed in fact they've worsened over the last year or so .. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,348 Disability Gamechanger
    I'm very surprised you still have your car as your payments have been suspended. I would have thought that would have to be returned when the payments stopped because motability still have to be paid. If it was me i'd ring my solicitor tomorrow.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    I'll let you know the outcome 
    Thanks for your knowledge on this !
  • kalen
    kalen Community member Posts: 13 Connected
    Dave,
    you have had good advice here, all the very best of luck x
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Yes thank you all  :) 
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Spoke to my solicitor today and he stands firmly on his advice of not going and to wait and see what the decision maker decides then take it from there ! Very confusing as I have still no idea on what their allegations are so I can address them ! 
  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    Hi all ...update and some advice again please ? 
    it was an anonymous malicious phone call from a carer i used to have whom i had a fall out with and told not to come back !!! The DWP acted on her accusations and followed me taking very selected pictures of me such as walking to my car unaided (i have been using a stick a lot more but the Dr suggested on good days try and walk without it to strengthen up my muscles as im leaning to one side).  
    and pictures of me trying to live independently as i live alone with my 14year old daughter ..myself and my daughter feel very violated and now we have this horrible feeling every day that we are being watched which has caused huge anxiety levels . there decision was to cease my pip , im now going to appeal against this decision ... who is the best person/organisation to help me with the appeal ..
    many thanks again 



  • dave68
    dave68 Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    I’m in Scotland 

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