DWP Backlog.....do I laugh or cry?

That's terrible. You need to write your MP a letter. Make sure you put you address on the letter or email and explain what you have been told regarding the backlog. They will sort it in weeks, in my experience

Shocking.
This of course has nothing to do with working from home. Or work/life balance?

JaneJudge

That's terrible. You need to write your MP a letter. Make sure you put you address on the letter or email and explain what you have been told regarding the backlog. They will sort it in weeks, in my experience

Over the weekend, as i have swung from gobsmacked/angry/feeling hopeless and back again and i have wondered whether to write to our MP. I think i will

Its not just us is it? Thousands of people will be in the same, or worse situation.

Thank you for the nudge i needed x

Yup - MP. Write now. It is disgraceful. I am so sorry you are having his problem on top of your husband's illness.

no, it sn't just you. I had a problem with them earlier in the year and they would just not help me at all. In the end I contacted my MP and they sorted it all out really quickly

eazybee

Shocking.
This of course has nothing to do with working from home. Or work/life balance?

I actually think you are right. No one answers the phone, you have to wait literally hours to speak to someone

Dogmum2

Absolutely shameful. Such depressing information to be given. As if you don't have enough to cope with.

I agree with others, you must write to your MP. Absolutely must.

Why didn't the silly woman ask that you contact them again if his condition deteriorates - not 'improves'? It does make you question if they even understand what they are dealing with here.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.

The only consolation is that they will have to backpay you but that doesn't help you current situation.

eazybee

Shocking.
This of course has nothing to do with working from home. Or work/life balance?

Do you think ? (that's a serious question). Terribly depressing if that's it.
One bit Of HMRC that I was dealing with told me they "were all working from home".
HMRC haven't replied to a moderately complex letter I sent 8 months ago.I know they got it because it went Track and Trace and I have evidence of delivery.
Too demoralized to chase up again.
I might write to my MP......

Its been like that since covid ....it doesn't affect your payments they just keep on paying ...they usually just award you a 12 month ongoing award ( no assessment required) until they get round to your review .....I was quite glad...it gave me another years breathing space til my review....I'm sure there's lots to worry about with your DPs condition....so I wouldn't be worrying about this ...it will happen when it happens and he will be paid until it does

Elless

The only consolation is that they will have to backpay you but that doesn't help you current situation.

Ops DH will continue to be paid whether it takes 2 weeks...2 months or 2 years to review

eazybee

Shocking.
This of course has nothing to do with working from home. Or work/life balance?

It’s got a lot more to do with over 10 years of years of staffing cuts, rendering DWP unable to perform at target levels. See page 11.
www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Departmental-Overview-2021-22-DWP.pdf

Dogsmum2 the first thing I think you should do is formally request DWP to expedite your husband’s case. I’d contact Citizens Advice for help.

Staffing cuts under the Tories at DWP slow down claims just like they couldn't be bothered to process asylum claims quickly in the Home Office. Writing to your MP asking for the case to be taken up may help.

Over the years there have been cuts in all departments of the civil service. DWP and HMRC included. DVLA seems to be an exception- or just more efficient.

Keep a copy of everything you send to DWP, and send it recorded delivery

Hearing things like this SO angers me. My son has MS and multiple learning difficulties. And still he's put through the demeaning and patronising reviews which make him anxious for weeks beforehand.

Those with progressive or permanent illnesses shouldn't have to go through all this PLUS wait a ridiculous amount of time for payments. Do these people not understand that THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET BETTER!!

I'd definitely go down the MP route - good luck and keep us posted.

I do believe it has more to do with working from home and work/life balance, leading to poor communication and lack of contact with others therefore no urgency. Since covid there seems to be a malaise in people's attitude to work, a lack of commitment, more entitlement, less pride in work or job satisfaction or any incentive to succeed. I believe 47% of GPs work 3 days a week; how can tasks be completed with that level of attendance?
The NHS is better funded than at any time in its history, and I believe Lord Darzi has said it is not lack of money, it is how it is spent and managed that is one of the problems. (I am aware there are plenty of others.)

You’ve lost me a bit with your last paragraph eazybee, as most GPs are contractors, and the rest of the NHS doesn’t work a three day week, staff are in work for their full hours? There are of course issues in the NHS, but staff working from home isn’t one of those issues.

I know this is an old thread but I think the reason DWP are taking a long time with PIP reviews is due to the enormous number of new claims which they are prioritizing. However if your husband's condition has deteriorated you should be able to report a change of circumstances and him be assessed more quickly than waiting a year.
Anyway you probably have had the review by now, hope it was sorted for you.