I need a Rant

It's so infuriating. The help should be there. The words sound right. But it's only theory. So many obstructions are put in the way to stop payments being made. Ggggrrrrrrrrr!

It is a disgrace that our society puts the most vulnerable people through this stressful ordeal repeatedly just so that they can claim the support that they are entitled to. I don't think the process of constant assessments even saves the government any money as the costs of the assessments, and of holding the tribunals, outweighs any supposed cost savings.
I do hope it all works out for you and your husband Hope.

I'm so pleased that you have been able to access the help that is available and sincerely wish you well through the various stages of your application. Well done!

Like all the other posters, I am really sorry to hear what a tough time you are going through right now, and as I'm currently going through it all myself - 2nd time around, for ESA, and recently awarded PIP, my advice would be, have a good scream or cry to release all of the pent up stress.

Then, I would suggest that you contact the DWP and request that they do a 'home visit' for your hubbies assessment. When they see you in your own environment, I think it helps them to see you as a person, rather than a 'client', and also 'wrong foots' them to some extent, as suddenly they are in a less comfortable position as a visitor, while putting you in a more comfortable one, both physically and mentally.

I requested a home visit for the 'PIP' and as usual was stuck in bed, in a lot of pain. The assessor could see all of the paraphernalia I keep on my bedside table, and by the side of my bed, ie, drugs, drink, 'helping hand' tool, stuff to keep me entertained, etc. Observing all this, I think helped her to see things as they really are, rather than how they might appear in an office environment, and resulted in my being awarded PIP without any further hassle.

I know how stressed you must both be by all of this, as after my first ESA assessment, the nurse I saw reported that I would be 'fit for work in 18 months'! I hadn't actually been able to work for 13 years by that time, and had been in such pain while in her office that I'd had to take morphine!! Hence ensued a long battle with them to get myself put into the 'support' group. I kept a diary for 2 weeks which happened to be over the Christmas period, and sent it in with all of the other stuff for the tribunal. We left early on the day of the tribunal to ensure we weren't late due to traffic, etc. but when we got there were told that the judges had been trying to get hold of us to stop us having a wasted journey, as they had already 'found in my favour'! Funny how the DWP couldn't have done that!!

Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world with your claim, and if you need support at ANY time, please feel free to send me a private message.

SKweek1. It sounds as though you are going through the mill too, it is a disgrace, and makes me so angry. My DH has middle rate care of DLA and high for mobility. Why do you say apply to AA if he is turned down( When the time comes). IF he is turned down we will fight it, not settle for less when we know he is entitled to it.

The one he has coming up in a few weeks is a work capability assessment so not to do with disability as such, if you see what I mean. He was deemd fit four and a half yrs ago got zero points, so we appealed, they changed their minds prior to it getting as far as the Tribunal.It has been so long before this second assessment due to them being so inefficient.
My point is that if he was not fit four yrs ago, and he has a condition which worsens, how can they possible say he is fit to work now.It is crazy.A disgrace and a total waste of money. These people seem to have no common sense, and no brain. I despair.

It's a devious ploy. People are regularly turned down on their first application, or even renewals as it supposedly weeds out those applying 'just on the offchance'. They don't bother to come back. It's across the board. It seems to cover all and any benefits (apart from retirement pension!) as an effort to save money. The theory seems to be that applicants who are borderline, can survive or manage without will often drop out and not bother. Only the desperate and needy will fight on. It's a sort of theoretical underhand Means Test. They fail to realise(or care) that often the most needy are those who have no one to fight for them and no strength to fight for themselves.

(I know - retirement pension isn't a benefit, but it does often seem to be classed as such)

If retirement pension isn't a benefit, then does it follow that all contributory benefits ( as opposed to means tested ones) are equally not benefits?

Apparently not. Retirement Benefit doesn't have to be applied for in the same way - otherwise I suspect we would have to fight for it!