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For anyone impacted by an increase in council tax from moving from ESA to UC: This is something that varies from council to council. Sorry, I'm not up to discussing it further, just highlighting the issue.

Yes. On my form (where applicable) I do write, 'the combination of my conditions/individually listed symptoms/PEM etc., cause x,y,z etc.)

This is why it is so important to write your original PIP form with detailed answers. Write them as if you are going to have to go to tribunal. The tribunal will get a copy of them, so they will be able to see if the assessor gave your answers full consideration. When I was asked questions I...

The assessor was lying, they are able to add 'free text' to any of the basic script statements if they don't capture the claimant's issues. See the PIPAT guidance here - https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/red_pipat_guidance_for_pip_asses#incoming-640064 I think ME/CFS is now considered...

I don't think the Energy rating applied to pensioners WHD, it applied to the working age income related group,. So you may have received it due to this even if they hadn't changed the system this year. In fact, as I recall, their calculation meant they gave it to all eligible pensioners first...

Yes, it has. https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income-England-Wales

This is also why I made it explicit on my WCA (and PIP) forms that the reason I can't either attempt or repeat a physical task is due to both rapid fatigability and the resultant PEM (which I describe in detail). It is complete gaslighting to imply people with ME/CFS are 'fearful' of activity...

I think this has been highlighted in the DWP training because the WCA was split into 'Physical' and 'Mental Health' categories (in the relevant legislation), and therefore there are rules that the physical descriptors only apply to physical symptoms and the mental health descriptors only apply...

I can't imagine they will make it easier to qualify! The purpose is to save money.

Initially I wasn't sure whether I should just tick 'no change' on the light touch review form as I have plenty of points, including a number of 4 points and well above the 12 point threshold (even my mobility is 22 points, not just the 12 for the physical side). But as I've actually worsened and...

That's how it's supposed to work, but in practice it just doesn't. Otherwise many more claimants would be on the highest scores for both PIP and the LCWRA. I have at least two PIP criteria where I was given a 4 (which I now realise is actually very hard to get) but where I should have qualified...

I just happened upon the first post in this thread, which goes back to the proposed removal of the mobilising descriptor from the WCA assessment. Since the new severe conditions group requires that a claimant meets one of the descriptors all the time, this may be one where many people with...

Yes. I think some people in this situation appealed the bedroom tax when it was first brought in, but I don't think they succeeded (they appealed on the basis that their 'spare room' had never been used as a bedroom, rather only for storage of disability equipment). Many people think council...

Yes, PIP hasn't increased in line with the national minimum wage or National Insurance increases, or the cost of fuel and transport., just the RRP based on the month of September each year. This means the amount of hours of care a claimant can pay for from it has reduced every year. I think the...

Ah, yes. I underestimated the amount that has to be paid. It's 14% (I bedroom underoccupancy) or 25% (2 bedroom underoccupancy) of the total social rent, not the basic UC allowance. Social rent has increased a lot since the bedroom tax was brought in. Many 2 bed social housing in my area is...

The new 'severe conditions' group seems to have been created purely to allow the politicians (and the media) to promote the idea they are going to look after 'the most vulnerable'. It's complete gaslighting. Many people will never be able to work again in reality, despite not meeting this...

Once they scrap the Work Capability Assessment they will have to define the new 'severe disability group' based on the new (post Timms' review) PIP scores. So I'm anticipating they will demand anyone in this group will have to score an 8 in one daily living area. Which is obviously almost...

Yep - If the PIP assessment includes a claimant's personal circumstances and environment, then any changes in these would need to be reported as a 'change of circumstance'. This would be patently ridiculous, the system already can't cope and is plagued with a massive backlog. It's unbelievable...

If they change the PIP descriptors and the points awarded after Timms' review, then everyone on the 10 year light touch review would need a full reassessment at their review point. This makes a mockery of the existing 'indefinite' awards...

From Timms' letter: They are only guaranteeing that existing LCWRA/LCW claimants have their total combined UC benefit increased by inflation, so existing claimants in these groups won't benefit from the above inflation uplift of the standard part of UC. But that's now only predicted to be...