Problems with Personal Independence Payment?

Specialist Disability Benefit Advice from Uttlesford Citizens Advice

Recent articles in the press have highlighted the many problems faced by those who are being assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the new disability benefit.  Without this benefit a disabled person is not eligible for other benefits or support such as carer’s allowance or severe disability premium and is unable to access the motability scheme for an accessible car or powered wheelchair.

Uttlesford Citizens Advice has a dedicated team of volunteers who offer a specialist disability benefits service and home visits to help with initial applications.  They can also help with reassessments for those moving from DLA to PIP and also with reconsiderations and appeals if an application has been unsuccessful.

Disability Benefits Specialist, Lyndie Taylor said:

“We know from our experience that people use disability benefits to support their additional needs with home help, heating and getting about; any change can have a significant impact on their health and welfare.

If you get a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions about a change to the way your benefit is assessed please don’t worry.   One of our team of friendly experienced volunteers can come and see you and help you with your application. We can also help with applications for Attendance Allowance and with DLA applications for children.  Please call us on 01799 618840 to arrange an appointment.”

As well as helping with any change to existing benefits, the disability benefits team can also offer advice on other matters such as transport, safety, household adaptations, energy bills, befriending schemes, carers, and respite care.

Here’s what some of people who the team have helped have said about the support they have received:

‘The adviser was very helpful; I could not have filled in the form without
her.’

‘Receiving the benefit will enable me to take better and safer
care of myself’.

‘It’s a really precious service that you offer and all done extremely professionally.’