Mrs R approached the organisation in November 2016. She was desperate for advice and support.

Mrs R had a daughter with global development delay. She had been receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) of £76.90 weekly for her daughter which equated to the middle rate care component and the lower rate mobility component. Mrs R also received Carers Allowance of 62.10 a week for looking after her daughter. A total of £139.00 a week.

The Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) had sent Mrs R a form to complete as the DLA for her daughter was being migrated over to the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and her daughter would need to be reassessed.

Mrs R duly completed the form and returned it. The claim was turned down by DWP who gave zero points for the care element and zero points for the mobility. Mrs R then requested a mandatory reconsideration, which again came back with the same decision. She then lodged an appeal.

As a result of the nil award Mrs R also had her Carers Allowance taken off her as she no longer qualified without her daughter receiving the enhanced rate of PIP.

As her income had dropped so dramatically, Mrs R had taken on a part time job to try and make ends meet. Trying to hold down a job, care for her daughter, liaising with DWP and coping with her own health issues were having a detrimental effect. At this point Mrs R contacted Appoint Us Services asked for our help to pursue the claim.

Our staff went out to visit her and took all her paperwork away to review. We assimilated all the evidence and advised on obtaining further reports to give credence to the claim, which Mrs R duly did. We also compiled a report based on the evidence that we had seen and giving the points that we thought should be awarded for the individual descriptors which was also sent off.

The case went to appeal and based on our submissions and further evidence, DWP reviewed the claim and awarded 19 points for the care descriptors and 8 points for the mobility descriptors. This gave Mrs R the enhanced care rate of Care at £82.30 and the standard rate of mobility at 21.80 for her daughter. As a result of this award, the Carers Allowance was reinstated at £62.10 a week. Giving a total weekly benefit of £166.20.

Mrs R was extremely grateful for our help. The benefits we have obtained have enabled her to reduce her part time hours and have reduced her stress considerable. Both her mental and physical health have improved as a result of the revised awards.