Terrible treatment and halfway through reading I thought it was a pip application too. Was this for the council? if so which 0ne?
It was for Redcar & Cleveland Council but I think it’s the same for all as I tested it with Wakefield Council when I renewed mine and ticking the box for no PIP lead on to the same nightmare, I then went back a page and ticked the “yes” box for PIP and as the OP states it was a POP.
I understand the fact checking aspect to stop fraud but this is a renewal and as such means they’ve already assessed the claimant and approved them so why not just verification checks? I’m sure it’s done to put off as many as possible from applying again as the majority in that situation will be elderly and unlikely to have the tech knowledge or even access to it (no internet/pc etc)!