Our client is living in private rented accommodation, having stopped work due to ill health ……………….

Client Profile: Our client lives in private rented accommodation, having stopped work due to ill health. The client is in receipt from Universal Credit (UC) which includes the Housing and Council Tax reduction element.

Reason client needs advice: Our client wanted some help in applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

What we have done to help the client: Our Specialist Benefit Adviser contacted the client to find out what help he needed. The adviser discussed and explained to the client what PIP was, the eligibility criteria and how the client would be assessed. 

With the support of the Benefit Adviser the PIP application was submitted, unfortunately our client returned to us as the DWP had turned him down for Daily Living component and Mobility Allowance component. Our Benefit Adviser assisted the client with a Mandatory Reconsideration (to challenge the DWP decision). 

Outcome:

The mandatory reconsideration was successful and the DWP had agreed to award him standard rate for Daily Living and Mobility components, and this was being back dated to the first application date. However, there was an additional change of circumstances in which our benefit adviser assisted the client in notifying DWP, which in turn meant the client was now eligible for the enhanced rate of the Daily Living allowance. 

Client received a backdated payment of £3000 

Client is now £5,500 per annum better off. 

Our client said he was delighted with the service he received from Harlow Citizens Advice.