Hi new to community. Single mum of Asperger's, ADHD & Dyspraxia son who is 20 yrs old. In a panic as attempting to appeal PIP decision, appeal form is gonna be late due to only getting decision for mandatory reconsideration 24th Dec 2016 and being unsuccessful in accessing any support from benefits advisors and personal health issues. Reason for PIP not being awarded was due to not attending face-to-face assessment, I contacted Atos Healthcare several weeks before date of appointment requesting to change the appointment venue and time due to the distance from us and problems with childcare for my younger son. Requested to have assessment done in home town which I know they do as my own face-to-face was done here. Was told they had no availability here offered several other places but all were too far for us to attend. Explained that I had to attend with him as I am his appointee and appointment letter had stated I would need to attend with my son. Was told to ring the following week to see if any new appointments were made available for our town, contacted the next week and was offered same places and told still no availability for our town or anywhere nearer. Was told they were unable to offer home visit as my son can become verbally abusive & in the past has been violent. Was told to ring just before the date of appointment to see if availability had changed. Did this again no availability in area told that if we didn't attend we would be contacted after to find out why. We didn't attend, did not receive anything asking why we hadn't attended only received letter stating due to not attending the face-to-face PIP was not being given. 19th Aug 2016 mandatory reconsideration requested detailing reasons for not attending. End of Nov 2016 contacted PIP as had not received decision for mandatory reconsideration was told someone would contact me by phone within 24hours. Had to request a ring back twice finally got ring back 13th Dec 2016 saying a decision would be made on the 15th Dec 2016. Notification of decision received 24th Dec 2016, letter dated 20th Dec 2016 stating that they have been unable to change the original decision.
Any help/advice needed asap.
