We are always happy to share our honest experiences when asked about the struggles that claimants experience when claiming welfare benefits.

Content warning: Elements of this article refer to severe depression which may be distressing

Aasma covered the story of a young woman who has revealed she almost died after taking an overdose of her epilepsy medication due to the severe stress she suffered when her personal independent payment (PIP) was withdrawn. The lady (24) has complex mental health issues and anxiety due to a history of childhood trauma and abuse, which has left her hospitalised for a number of her teenage years.

As part of her article, Aasma asked about our experience with welfare benefits and the process of when an award is due to end or is due to be renewed. Michelle commented that 

‘They seem to make the rules up as they go along.” “Even we as welfare benefit lawyers cannot distinguish between the people who are going to have their PIP suddenly end and those who are going to get a review form.

“The problem is even when letters are sent out, they go through sorting offices and there is an amount of post that goes missing.

“We tell clients to call up the DWP about seven months before they think their PIP might end. But that means they have to be in the right state of mind to do this and be prepared to wait a good two hours on the telephone to get through to them’

If you would like to read the full article on i News, you can do so HERE. All content has been created and is owned by the news outlet.