I spent years battling the government for disability benefits I’m entitled to
My name is Charlotte Smith. I studied animal care at college, work in my local Co-op store and volunteer for an animal charity.
When I was about to turn 18, the Department for Work and Pensions told me my DLA was ending and I had to apply for Personal Independence Payment . It was really upsetting at the time. My application was rejected because my needs weren’t scored highly enough. They assumed that my cochlear implants gave me full hearing.They didn’t consider the difficulties I’d still have hearing and understanding every day, outside the near-perfect listening environment of an assessment room.For the next two years, life became a battle with the DWP while struggling financially. My mum took on two jobs and was working 50-hour weeks. My grandma had to loan us money.
It didn’t last. A letter from the DWP arrived the Friday before Christmas telling us they were considering appealing again. We had to go to another tribunal. I couldn’t believe it. I have a hearing dog called Nelson and I can pay for his insurance myself. He loves to swim in the sea and I can chase after him without worrying about boxes to tick, forms to fill in and tribunals to attend.
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