I was awarded Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in 2001. I had no face to face assessment - I just filled in the form. I was on a lifetime award and never had any contact from the DWP except for my tiny annual increase and Christmas bonus letters every year, No home visits and no visits to their offices in all that time. It only changed last year when I got the dreaded DLA to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) changeover letter and I had to have a home assessment - this is what tripped Avril & Eddie up.I've just watched it, fascinating viewing but so sad. Totally the right verdict. Will they ever confess what happened to poor Margaret ? I thought Avril might tell the truth as, but Eddie was so cocky and arrogant, he must have turned the jury against him by his outburst. And frauding dwp to get her benefit, how was she not called in for a medical for all those years? The poor soul was let down and abused by everyone apart from her teachers.
However, Margaret was clearly on Incapacity Benefit as well (from the letter they showed in court) and I thought that was more closely monitored but apparently not. Someone on another forum said her friend was on IB and was switched to ESA (Employment Support Allowance) just by filling in the form - no assessment. But I thought it meant you had some more contact with the DWP with the support groups etc. I don't really understand it to be honest
Eddie & Avril were getting Carer's Allowance as well I believe.
Money, benefits and mental health
Living with a mental health condition can make managing money and securing work more difficult. This section can help you understand what you can do.
www.rethink.org
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