Hi, I know when my next appointment is because I have to go in every two weeks!
I am somewhat confused as to who I contact first as the work provider is obviously a different company to the DWP.
Would I need to go to my local job centre ?

Do you feel you fit the criteria for the support group pinkprint? That could be another avenue for you. I got moved from the wrag to support after I asked for a supersession based on deterioration of health.
You may have to attend another medical but if they agree it will also mean the end of those meetings.

i literally would not know what the criteria is.

to update, i have been on the phone to a lady at the job centre, and i think i may have made things worse
she was very nice, but she did not seem to think handing in a sick note was possible.
instead she called up the work programme, and asked about telephone appointments of which they said NO, instead i will be given a private room and my adviser will be more empathetic, problem is, i am now in an absolute panic about going back there, even more than ever!

the place is just not helpful at all. it making me worse and i feel like i am going loopy having to explain myself time and time and time again to these people.

i am begging somebody here get me off benefits.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/emp...up-descriptors - support criteria
I really think you need help from CAB for this.

Hi all totally new to this, until 2 years ago I had no problems then osteoarthritis set in first my hip then slowly knee and elbow, I was unable to work and was signed off then sept 2013 I was put on esa, in June my brother said I should apply for pip which I did do and it took till April for my assessment, I received a letter from DWP yesterday and was told I have awarded standard on both daily and mobility which I was surprised and happy they also payed back pay of £2800 my Question is do I get back pay on ESA as my neighbour did when she was awarded pip, I was going to phone ESA but I read this forum post and I know you know all the relevant facts.

But haven't you been receiving ESA from September 2013? So there is no back pay I would have thought.
I don't know if you get it but I get Severe Disability Premium. I was sent a form to fill in shortly after my PIP was awarded. I didn't ask for the form, it was sent to me automatically. It was £61.10 a week on top of PIP and ESA. This is paid to me because I live on my own and don't have a carer. This was backdated to when I applied for PIP but is paid at the same time as ESA which is fortnightly. My PIP is paid 4 weekly. I'm on the higher rate of the living allowance and the lower rate of the mobility part of PIP.

I was informed there are different rates ESA was paid and I wanted to find out if I was on the right payments,as this is the first time I have ever been on benefits CAB for me

You will get back pay on ESA if it was suspended whilst an appeal/tribunal was undertaken and found in your favour, or if you appealed against a decision to be placed into the Work Related Activity Group and were then placed into the Support Group, which pays a higher rate.

Have a look at this list and check it against your awards from the DWP. Most rates have recently changed. They can be confusing, I only learned by chance that I could claim PIP. PIP is also a passport to other benefits such as free bus pass and blue badge for a car.
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/brates-1.html

In addition to the advice already given above, in your case it might be worth booking an appointment with a welfare & benefits specialist at your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau (just plug your postcode here http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm) to go over savings, living arrangements, income sources etc. to see which full benefits and categories that you are fully entitled to claim/back claim.

Thanks

Now you've got PIP, you're entitled to the severe disability premium of £61.85 pw (£61.10 before 1/4/15) in addition to your ESA, providing that:

1) you don't live with a non-dependant, eg partner, adult child; and
2) no-one is applying for carer's allowance for helping you.

You should ask for it to be backdated to the same date that your PIP was backdated to, and the arrears will be paid.

To claim it, you need to ring DWP (0800 055 6688) and tell them. They will send you a form IS10 to complete and return, and it's a very straightforward form.

If you're in the work-related activity group, you will also be entitled to the enhanced disability premium of £15.75 pw, which will also be backdated.

My partner, who is gravely ill. has been denied ESA because he has no national insurance contributions the last few years. He has paid tax since he was 16 until he was 37. He is nearly 41 now. Our only other chance now is PIP. This is soul destroying and I truly can't believe they're denying him benefits.

Sorry to hear that. As with post #235 above, I'd suggest going over your case with a welfare rights specialist to see what precisely you are both entitled to and they might also be able to provide advice on any relevant applications and appeals too.

I'd suggest that it might be an idea to look into this and get any new applications/appeals in as soon as practically possible before any new incoming government decides to change things and tighten up benefit eligibility criteria even further.

Unfortunately, they are quite probably correct. If you don't have enough NI contributions in the right years, you're only entitled to means-tested benefits. If you're in a couple, your partner's income is included in the assessment and if that is more than the relevant allowance (about £114 pw), you get nothing.

Has he done his PIP form yet? You can get a really quick decision atm if you provide enough supporting evidence, as they're desperate to clear the backlog. When he does the form, he should go online and look at the PIP descriptors and frame his answers in the sort of language they use.

I don't think anyone should do those forms without at least looking at advice sources online, or going to see a benefits adviser. I've seen people get nothing when I know I could have got them at least the standard rate.

If he hasn't done it, pm me if he has any questions.

ETA: I'm a benefits adviser, in case you hadn't guessed!

I agree with LakieLady, send as much supporting evidence as you can when making a claim, such as any medical letters and tell them about your worst days. I don't mean lie but don't play down or forget any ailments you have.
Download the Personal Independence Payment handbook (PDF)
This guide might be useful too - http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/pe...ce-payment-pip

Thanks for the replies. We actually have a support worker helping with the forms.

Thank goodness for that and I really hope that you both get the benefits that you need at this difficult time.

Thank you very much. Does anyone know the rules around carer's allowance?

To get carer's allowance, you have to be caring for someone who gets the daily living component of PIP or middle or higher rate of the care element of DLA.

You have to be caring for them for at least 35 hours pw. You cannot be working for more than 16 hours pw or earn more than £110.

what does this mean for those of us on ESA?

Well i dread to think tbh

Take an advance peek here:

I won my appeal/tribunal case today to be removed from the WRAG group and placed into the support group.

Well done!

That must be a relief.