Help!!!

[Bw1]

Hi,
I served in the armed forces for 14 years and was medically discharged 2011 with PTSD depression and anxiety following active service in Afghanistan!


2015 I was also diagnosed with Bi-Polar affective disorder.


I went threw the DLA claim procedure and was awarded higher rate care, lower rate mobility However......
I recently went threw the new PIP assessment as they are swapping from DLA to PIP.
Firstly the manner in which the assessment was carried out was disgusting and also was her attitude towards me!!! The report she wrote was wrong and fabricated!!
Subsequently i wasn't awarded PIP!
I rang them up,complained and asked for a mandatory reconsideration!
That was also declined!!!
So now I am going to tribunal and have no clue what I should be doing!
I have been to Comunity Law and they wrote to the courts asking for an appeal in which they acknowledged, so I'm waiting for a court date!


I don't know what to do, feel totally helpless, am all over the place in my mind, stress levels are threw the roof, anxiety is really bad and I haven't got a clue who to reach out to for help??

[slainte caragh]

Re: Help!!!

Calm your mind. You are in the right place we have experts who can help you!

Leave the worrying to us for a bit ok? You've earned that much, I will shout out to whoever knows the most about this, in the meantime, welcome to the Beagles!!

Thank you for everything you have done for our country! Much love

Callie <3

[Kati]

Re: Help!!!

Hi [MENTION=106756]Bw1[/MENTION] and to LB

I know you'll get help here and I'll tag [MENTION=98117]warwick65[/MENTION] for a start ... I'll aso pop back on tomorrow and give you links to a couple of other forums that can help (I'm on my tablet so can't link now) xx

[Bw1]

Re: Help!!!

Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated x

- - - Updated - - -

I don't know how to use this site properly so bare with me, it's taken days to even write my thread, am so confused with everything x

[des8]

Re: Help!!!

Hi and welcome.
I trust Veterans UK dealt with you properly.

Did you get a copy of the medical assessment report from DWP?

Sorry, but some questions to find out where you are in the process so far

When Community Law contacted the Tribunal, did they complete form SSCS1 (https://formfinder.hmctsformfinder.j.../sscs1-eng.pdf) for you?
If so do you have a copy of that completed form?
Have you told the Tribunal

• Which decision you are challenging
• What you think the right decision was
• Why you disagree with the DWP’s decision, for example:
  • How many points you think you should have scored for each activity
  • What you think the DWP did not take into account about your disability
  • Did you give examples of things the DWP should have considered
  • Did you include documentary evidence (e.g. letters from doctors or consultants) about how your disabilities affect your every day life

[Kati]

Re: Help!!!

Here's the links to those forums I said I'd put up for you too ~
Respectful Benefits
and
Welfare Central
xx

[Bw1]

Re: Help!!!

veterans uk?? What's that?

yes Comunity law done everything an I'm just waiting for a date!

they received a letter from my doctors confirming my diagnosis!

I haven't wrote anything myself because my concentration is really bad, even just writing back to reply is hard to keep focused!!
i wouldn't know where to start?

[slainte caragh]

Re: Help!!!

Allow me!

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups...elfare-service

As a fellow PTSD survivor (and yes, you will survive this) I can fully understand the whole concerntration bit well!

[des8]

Re: Help!!!

As you were medically discharged presumably you made a claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme..(AFCS)
Veterans UK are part of the MoD which administers the scheme.

If you are uncertain the British Legion might be able to advise you about AFCS and also help with your PIP appeal.
However I have found British Legion support can be patchy, and you might get more here: https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/th...ension.204681/

Will you be accompanied at the tribunal hearing?
There is some useful advice about the hearing here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/be.../your-hearing/

[retired solicitor]

Re: Help!!!

Hi

I hope you have someone who can accompany you to the tribunal. Is it possible that Community Law who filled out the forms for you, can go with you to the hearing?

Alternatively, it may be that you could find a tribunal advocate from an organisation such as Rethink Mental Illness. If you take a look at their website, they have very good information leaflets on how to appeal a PIP decision and in some parts of the country, they can offer tribunal advocacy https://www.rethink.org/

I appreciate that going to tribunal is very stressful but it may help to know that around 70% of appeals are successful.

[Bw1]

Re: Help!!!

This whole process has completely knocked me in a bad way,mental health has deteriorated rapidly,I am a prisoner in my own house and my mind and can't get away from neither, I have totally isolated myself away and buried my head in the sand hoping it will sort itself out however seeing what everyone else has done to build a case im losing the will to carry on, I only have a select few friendsveho help and also my mum and dad. I'm a totally mess and everything is just overwhelming me, can't cope with it all!
I have to attend but I don't have anyone to go with me which all really has my anxiety levels sky high and panic attacks are kicking in and I don't even have a date!

[des8]

Re: Help!!!

If you really feel unable to attend a hearing it is possible to have a paper hearing.
this isn't really recommended, as your chances of winning are greatly reduced.
It is in your best interest to attend, and perhaps you could be accompanied by someone from "rethink" as suggested by [MENTION=105346]retired solicitor[/MENTION]., or perhaps your mother or father, just for the moral support they could give you.
It is certainly worth your while to explore the possibilities

[fandabby]

Re: Help!!!

Hi [MENTION=106756]Bw1[/MENTION]

Just been reading threads and may be able to help.

I have a contact who is retired but helps forces personnel in your situation. Please PM me with your contact number and full name so I can pass it on and he will be in contact.

Good luck and hope you find a positive outcome.

[warwick65]

Re: Help!!!

Hi BW
I know from bitter experience how the assesors do not accurately report the facts.
I am just concerned about community law. I am sure they are legit I just came across a bunch of chancers when I was appealing my decision.

Not sure where you are but these guts were in the east Midlands and had misrepresented themselves as solicitors to my local Cab when in fact it was someone with only a law degree.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Help!!!

This whole process has completely knocked me in a bad way,mental health has deteriorated rapidly,I am a prisoner in my own house and my mind and can't get away from neither, I have totally isolated myself away and buried my head in the sand hoping it will sort itself out however seeing what everyone else has done to build a case im losing the will to carry on, I only have a select few friendsveho help and also my mum and dad. I'm a totally mess and everything is just overwhelming me, can't cope with it all!
I have to attend but I don't have anyone to go with me which all really has my anxiety levels sky high and panic attacks are kicking in and I don't even have a date!

It's ok.

Everything you are going through is valid and real. You are going to be okay, unless someone has been there they cannot understand it. I have a thing about phones ringing and going unanswered. I had to put the phone behind the curtain and turn the ringer down as I was having attacks about that one.

As I am writing this I am researching for you, seeing if I can find anyone I think can help with the emotional side of things and I had a mini brainwave.

Help for Heroes might be able to help you, and lets face it, anyone who dons a uniform for their country is a hero. FACT.

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-...t/get-support/

There is an internet form if you feel uncomfortable speaking to someone or a telephone number. They may be able to get someone to go with you for moral support.

Have you had CBT? It is hard going but it works love, so do simple changes like moving your furniture so you are not staring at doors or out the window and asking family to call before arriving. Oh and while I think of it, if you want someone to "talk" to on Bonfire night, just pop on and shout ok?

Callie