THIScame as a great relief to me as it enabled me to finally make sense of my life. I have all the usual difficulties that go with Asperger’s together with attendant sensory issues and I had never been able to work and always claimed state benefits.
Nothing could have prepared me for the giant bombshell which befell me in the spring of 2015. That April, the government (in their infinite wisdom) saw fit to finish paying my DLA (disability living allowance), along with the DLAs of millions of others.
I was now faced with the prospect of having to live a meagre existence on ESA (employment support allowance). This meant, in real terms, that there was a huge drop in my income. I could afford very few pleasures and had no money in reserve for emergency item or crises.
Financial hardship forced me to change all my routines. As you may be aware, having Asperger’s means I live by lots of routines and rituals and have a profound dislike of change. I was in a precarious state, and having few family members to turn to, I had to look elsewhere for help and support.
My whole life was now transformed. I was now able to go back to my old routines which I found very reassuring. I would continue to see my support workers from Autism Together and they in turn would help me through my difficulties.
At this point, I was referred to Wirral Autistic Society (now Autism Together) for eight hours of support per week. They wrote two letters on my behalf to the benefits agency. I was now about to start a claim for a PIP (Personal Independence Payment) – and it proved to be a minefield.
My local GP also wrote on my behalf and we duly submitted our own application form. The form though is primarily designed (with all due respect) for those with physical disabilities. Anyone with a hidden disability like Asperger’s or autism is at a great disadvantage. We were now faced with a waiting game whilst the application was processed.
The mental waiting game was hard. I was supported by various members of Autism Together and my friends at St Andrew’s Church in West Kirby. My thanks go in particular to Reverend Peter and his wife, Adele, without whom, I don’t know where I’d be.
Imagine the devastation when I was finally told, after months of waiting, that my application was unsuccessful. What a kick in the teeth.
Our next course of action was to ask the benefits agency for a review. The review would take a while to come through (yet more waiting) and we were all stunned when we learned that the review had been turned down.
The next step was for me (and my support workers) to attend an interview with Martin Richards of Involve North West. We now proceeded with Martin’s very professional and skilled experience to build a watertight case for an appeal tribunal. This was duly lodged with the proper authorities. More waiting.
At long last, we were finally given the date of the appeal – 2ndOctober 2015. The prospect of this taking place (albeit in an office) at the County Court, Birkenhead, filled me with trepidation.
Luckily for me, I had my support team for back-up and they attended with me. Had I had to go alone, I believe I would have crumbled into pieces. My two support workers from Autism Together sat either side, whilst I sat in the middle with Martin. Opposite us on a much higher level, was the judge flanked by his team.
This was it! The big day had finally arrived. The judge spoke first and following the introductions, each member of the team asked me questions in turn.
All 3 members of my team made statements on my behalf. At the end of the day, it was down to yours truly, outlining my daily lifestyle, and the various difficulties which I find challenging. Basically, a true statement of my condition and how it relates to everything.
At the end, we left the room while the panel made their deliberations.
We returned in approximately 15 minutes time to hear their decision.
Success! At last, the news we had been waiting for, such a relief! It felt as though a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
I had been awarded PIP for daily living allowance at the enhanced rate to be backdated to 29th April 2015. There was no limit fixed. In addition, as I received the enhanced rate, I was now eligible for claiming (SDP) Severe Disability Premium.
My whole life was now transformed. I was now able to go back to my old routines which I found very reassuring. I would continue to see my support workers from Autism Together and they in turn would help me through my difficulties.
I was living again!
I can’t thank all my friends enough, from all those who prayed for me at church, to everyone at Autism Together and not forgetting the services provided by Involve North West and Martin Richards.
Having weathered the storm, I was able to enter a new chapter in my life.
The tribunal was behind me. The dark days of despair in the shadows, with financial worries at every turn, were behind me.
To all those with Asperger’s syndrome or autism, remember one word: persevere.
With all God’s wishes,
Philip Snell
