PIP RENEWALS ON NEW FORM: A TICK BOX EXERCISE?

mmmm

an interesting proposition.

it would seem to make sense for people who in fact have, and are known to have, conditions/disabilities that will never improve (the blind, the deaf, those with congenital conditions, thalidomide victims etc etc etc). - particularly those who previously had a lifetime DLA award for the obvious reason that they would in fact never improve at all (barring some massive medical breakthrough that isn’t on the horizon any time soon)

for everyone else, it is probably a bit dangerous.  the PTB know which conditions will never improve and which may fluctuate over time/with treatment/whatever and people with that sort of condition may well find themselves in a hole again

and such a form does not do anything to make those who usually put the “best” face on things and never fully explain their issues for whatever reason, in fact think about those things…..

I’m not entirely clear on who Benefits Resolution Team are - or quite how they are linked to Welfare Rights Advocacy Service CIC - but there seems a significant amount of interaction between the two on the Benefits Resolution Team Facebook page, with repeated likes, shares and encouragement for people to donate to the Welfare Rights Advocacy Service CIC ‘Go Fund Me’ page.

It appears that, at a minimum, users are very heavily leaned on to ‘donate’  - and whilst at various point Benefits Resolution refer to themselves as being ‘all unpaid volunteeers’ they also refer to their staff , say that they do charge and “WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SUBSIDIZE OUT OF OUR OWN WAGES TO HELP OTHERS” though admittedly this is in reference to their proposed charges for 2017 - said charges to be levied if the fundraising drive doesn’t meet its target.

Aside from the advice being dodgy (with Terry Craven on this one) I would personally stay well clear of an organisation that boasts of its ability to prepare submissions and represent at tribunal and then posts the following;

Due to possible MISCONCEPTIONS and potential TROLLS.

We will try to simplify even more.

If you are on standard rates of both components, your condition has exacerbated/got worse. Of course you will be reassessed. You are looking at getting your award reviewed for enhanced state of award. Therefore fresh evidence and facts is vital,imperative and essential.

If already on enhanced, with degenerative conditions, I expect the DWP to read that and therefore accept no change, as the award cannot be higher than it already is.

Although here is an email, we have sent to many parties who have overall responsibility.
We will keep you informed.

and,

Good early morning bloggies, got such a serious case on, can,t sleep.

Met with a client this week,exceptionally distraught and suicidal, has attempted suicide 3 times before.

Has had their ESA stopped, for non attendance to a WCA. Although there is evidence of a request by claimant GP for a home assessmentrequested.

We would like to thank Cornwall Council, directly for employing a certain person called l HELEN. from ADSAC Access Team call staff. For such wonderful behavior, when dealing and informed that the person is suicidal and her lovelly comments, we are not here to help. people provide evidence to retain their benefits and we refuse to help those who need help, when being informed this person is suicidal. WE ARE ASIST trained and qualified to deal and acknowledge when people are genuinely suicidal. This makes it 15. attempted suicides now since 2012.

On £300 a month, outgoings are, £89 on electric and gas,£90 a month on rent,£23 a month TV licence,and water rates £80 a monththe list goes on, this includes Cornwall Council hideous act of sending bailiffs around to suicidal claimant for non payment of Council Tax, whilst refusing crisis funding and an unpleasant letter informing her to use food banks.

We are talking about someone on high doses of morphine for pain,alongside other meds for BiPolar and serious mental healyth difficulties.Carpal tunnel in both wrists and serious spinal injuries.

This is being reported to the CQC. Please remember this professionals name HELEN ADSAC Cornwalls access team. Please share widely and on every media page youcan, including Cornwalls Councils FB page thank you for reading. TOTAL Breach of DUTY of care, from any services in Cornwall.

Last pointer is awaiting a professional response from GP today, if that does not occur, will keep you informed of the practtice and their name

Let’s leave aside the content, the writing is of a quality you find in one of those 419 scams inviting you to help a Nigerian prince transfer money out of the country.

For info, the PIP assessment guide describes the AR1 process on page 62:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547146/pip-assessment-guide.pdf

it includes that the case manager will be unable to seek further medical evidence (no consent I suppose), so if that’s thought to be needed the case will have to go on to Atos/Capita.

An interesting organisation I’ve noticed after reading their website. They require a £50 deposit which they are willing to take in £10 increments before the initial consultation, £30 to attend Tribunal, and 15% of the award if the case is successful.  As he states on his ‘fees’ page; ‘paying for legal representation is never easy’

I’m not altogether sure that they are not actually committing some or other offence,  either through what they are doing and the way they are going about it, or by what they are purporting to be.

Brian Fletcher - 29 September 2016 01:27 PM

An interesting organisation I’ve noticed after reading their website. They require a £50 deposit which they are willing to take in £10 increments before the initial consultation, £30 to attend Tribunal, and 15% of the award if the case is successful.  As he states on his ‘fees’ page; ‘paying for legal representation is never easy’

I’m not altogether sure that they are not actually committing some or other offence,  either through what they are doing and the way they are going about it, or by what they are purporting to be.

It’s predecessor “charity” was shut down by the Charities Commission.

Rumbled!

Brian Fletcher - 29 September 2016 01:27 PM

I’m not altogether sure that they are not actually committing some or other offence,  either through what they are doing and the way they are going about it, or by what they are purporting to be.

Representing themselves as Legal Representatives might be a breach of S17(1)(b) of the Legal Services Act 2007.

It always used to irk me when a certain Judge reported “Mr B was represented but not legally represented” but I understand why these days.

There will also be rights and responsibilities under goods and services legislation (including below).  And there is also the watchful eye of Trading Standards to consider.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/contents/enacted

We have similar in Manchester.

Does anyone have a link to sample copy of the AR1 form and does anyone know if this will only be sent to people with acknowledged long term conditions.

The guidance at p.62 of the Assessors guide seems to say that EVERY renewal will be done this way but may people still seem to be getting the usual request , often a year before the award is due to run out.

I don’t know if this is any good to you but it is a copy of the signed off copy we got via operational stakeholders - has a few formatting instructions on it but would help if you just want to see what it looks like

Pete C - 11 January 2017 02:13 PM

Does anyone have a link to sample copy of the AR1 form and does anyone know if this will only be sent to people with acknowledged long term conditions.

The guidance at p.62 of the Assessors guide seems to say that EVERY renewal will be done this way but may people still seem to be getting the usual request , often a year before the award is due to run out.

I went to the PIP stakeholders meeting about this and they said it would be everyone.

Jinx!

Thanks to both of you.