Universal Credit

Hi,

I have accepted an offer of Standard Rate Care PIP from the DWP. As I am no longer on enhanced rates like I was with DLA, I have had to apply for UC instead of WTC.

I checked the online eligibility calculator and applied for UC online and it says I need to arrange an interview. Do I need to go to jobseekers and if so why? I only work part-time because of my mental health issues. I don’t understand this benefit at all

The DWP only allows you to apply for Universal Credits unless you have enhanced rate PIP.

I know you can’t give a definite answer, but do you think it’s likely I will lose my award if I appeal the decision.

I really feel like Citizens Advice have let me down. My caseworker has done so in the following ways:

*Sent an email for me to the wrong email address which caused over a weeks delay to appealing.

*Never sent my signed mandate to ATOS

*Never noticed an email I sent her with ATOS’s updated health report until I mentioned it to her a month later.

*Didn’t properly listen to me at our “strategy meeting” and constantly reminded me that Middle Rate Care isn’t available on PIP, so standard rate would be the same as I got on Middle Rate Care DLA. The problem is that I received High Rate Care, which she had made a note of and couldn’t be bothered looking at during our strategy meeting.

*Phoned DWP to ask my they hadn’t made me an offer following ATOS’s updated health report, then accepted an offer on my behalf WITHOUT my authorisation.

Without this catalogue of errors, I may have received a higher rate at tribunal, but then again, her errors doesn’t mean the tribunal panel would think my illness relates appropriately to the PIP components. I don’t know where to seek advice about appealing again, as she was useless and I cannot afford a solicitor.