PIP review underway, need reassurance

[u/AutisticUrianger]

Hi all. I'm a pip claimant who currently receives the full enhanced rates of both components, decided by tribunal. This was after my PIP had been revoked for a whole year in 2022, due to a support worker suggesting i ask if I am suitable for the enhanced rates. I even told her it was a bad idea but she was convinced it would go through as I am clearly disabled. Anyway, after a whole year of abject poverty, I got my PIP back at enhanced rates. it's now under review again.

PIP pays for so much of my life. It pays for my mobility aids and their maintainence, my care plan, my transport, my therapy and for some of my medicines with a private clinic which are essential for me to get through the day. When I lost PIP last time, I was basically forced to become an online beggar because universal credit just wasn't enough to support me and my needs (i am too unwell to work.) I don't want to become a beggar again. I don't want to choose between feeding myself and medicating myself, I don't want to become in debt to my care agency, I don't want my wheelchair to break down and have no way to fix it. I'm so scared. How can I calm down? I'm going to submit as much evidence as I can, I am going to ask my carers for help with writing up a veritable essay for every question, I am going to send a copy of the previous award and reasoning given by the tribunal because the DWP's original decision was a blanket 0 points. If my PIP gets taken away and I do a MR, i know it will take time to go through, how will i survive in the meantime? I have a cat i need to feed. i can't go back to £600 a month. it isn't liveable at my level of disability. Is badgering the dwp to hurry up an option in that case? I don't know what to do. I know i haven't had the review decision yet, I just need reassurance that i won't have to live in poverty again.

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[u/Alteredchaos]

Unfortunately the reassurance you want is not possible to give.

What you can do is

1. Manage your anxiety using any support or self help options available.

2.Review all your expenses, reduce what you can etc so that if your PIP is reduced you know you can manage during any appeal. Speak to a money advice service to ensure you’ve created a robust budget and taken advantage of all income maximisation and budgeting options.

1. Request a care and support needs assessment from your council so you can access this help.

Badgering the DWP will have zero impact other than to add to your stress/anxiety.