PIP Assessment is a JOKE

General health and lifestyle
1

I was awarded DLA for the rest of my life, turns out that according to the DWP and the imbeciles at ATOS that was January 2017.

I suffered a major head injury from a racial assault in 2011 that resulted in a bifrontal craniotomy and a 6-week coma.  Thanks to the amazing NHS I am still alive.

In December 2016, I received a letter from the DWP explaining that my DLA would be stopped and that I would have to apply for PIP.  The first thing I did was to check my pulse to clarify that I was still alive.  I had a pulse, I was alive! I thought that’s odd I was awarded DLA for life, I called the DWP to tell them that I was still alive and that I had been awarded DLA until I die.  I was rudely told that DLA no longer existed so I would have to apply for PIP, the lady on the phone said that if had been awarded DLA for life it was just a case of doing the paperwork and going to an ATOS meeting to check my health.  I begrudgingly agreed as I had no other choice.  I booked an appointment at The Citizens Advice Bureau to help me complete the forms as since my head injury I struggle to read and write.

I completed the forms and sent them in to the DWP along with Doctors reports, I received a date for my ATOS meeting which I attended.  The meeting was a bit strange and more interested in assessing my physical capabilities than my actual mental health problems.  In the brief discussion, we had regarding my day to day life I explained that I struggled in remembering to do things including taking medication, I explained that I had ended up in hospital by mistake as I had forgotten that I had taken my medication 3 times in one evening resulting in an overdose.

The main issue that I have after my head injury is anosmia and the loss of taste, while I was on DLA I could afford to have someone help me cook and make sure that everything that I was cooking was edible and not going to make me ill and to make sure that I turn off cookers and ovens, since my DLA has stopped I have had food poisoning twice and have left the oven on for several days at a time without realising, I explained all this to the lady at ATOS who I thought was a Doctor but as I discovered is not.

I eventually received a response to my PIP application, the news was not good. DECLINED! I did not understand, I went back to The Citizens Advice Bureau, they helped me compose a Mandatory Reconsideration letter, I sent that in to the DWP then over a month later I received the same reply.  I am now going through the Tribunal Process, I received the DWP response, they claim that I said that I do not take any medication and have no problems with my day to day life.  According to the DWP medical overdoses and food poisoning are standard in day to day life.

The most frustrating thing is that at the beginning of Theresa Mays role as Prime Minister she was adamant about helping people with mental health illnesses.  Both Prince William and Prince Harry have acknowledged that mental health illnesses are a disability but the people who make the decisions on whether I should have a life which is not restricted to only eating microwave food or takeaways have not.

To top this off I was on ESA as not only my GP but my Neurosurgeon and the Professor in charge of my rehabilitation have all said that I am not fit to work at the moment and especially not fit to work in my previous career which was a Chef, not only do I have anosmia and the lack of taste but the heat in a professional kitchen could increase the pressure in my head causing me to need more medical attention than is necessary.  The lady at ATOS who is not a Doctor nor has she ever met me before or know all about my problems has decided that I am fit to work, the Job Centre have insisted that I apply for chef roles.  I have refused and because of this my Universal Credit has been cut.

I am lost. I have no idea what to do apart from not take medication, eat horrific microwave food while I can afford it and wait to die.

 

2

I'm sorry to hear all this but sadly DLA doesn't exist, even for those who did have a lifetime award. With PIP you have to prove that the descriptors apply to you. If a person can't do this then they'll be refused, which is what has happened to you. 65% of Tribunal Appeals are succussful so hopefully yours will be one of them. Are you going to attend this Appeal Tribunal? Those that attend get the most favourable outcome as apposed to a paper based decision.

With ESA and the descriptors it's pretty much the same in you have to prove they apply to you. They assess people on whether they can do ANY type of work. Did you ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration of the ESA? If you did when that decision comes if it's remained the same you can then Appeal that. Once the Appeal has been logged you can then go back onto ESA assessment rate. If you didn't do any of this and it's passed the 1 month date then the only way you can start a new claim is if your condition has got worse (and you can prove this) or for a new condition that wasn't there when you first applied.

Good luck on the PIP Appeal and hope you finally get some good news.

3

I've been saying for years, if you are granted indefinite or for life you should not be consistently tested, they know that you are going to be the same or position, so why spend all that money and effort retesting people? It’s  causing un-necessary stress and illness by persecuting the very people they should be supporting.

We all know there are people out there that are cheating the system. That's who they should be concentrating on, not the long term people who cannot change the situation they are in. This government has consistently penalised the very people they should be supporting, disabled people paying the bedroom tax because they need to sleep separately. They have chosen to use external agencies to re access people's disability. This happens to be not a policy of what people’s needs are but an easy way to save a few quid and persecute the people at the bottom while they line the pockets of the rich and privilege who consider the rest of the population as scum.

What about the rich contributing their money to support the society that we live in.

4

It should not have to go to Appeals or Tribunals though.  The stress and anxiety it causes whilst you are going though that system is awful. Having to provide so much proof to be believed.   Being assessed by someone ATOS class as being medically qualified to make these decisions beggas belief!!!!

5

That's just it though there were so many Indefinite or life time awards for DLA, many were forgotten about for mutliple years. PIP came along and the criteria changed, wiping away all those awards because they no longer exist. I personnally don't believe there's as many people out there milky the PIP system as there were with DLA. PIP is much harder to claim than DLA ever was even more so for those transfering over. The max length of award for PIP is 10 years with reassessment after 9 years. Much less chance of those milking this system.

6

Can I ask do you work for PIP. Or have you been through the system?

7

No i most certainly do not work for DWP, ATOS or any others. I've been through PIP and ESA twice.

8

I'm here to advice others going through it. I did my extensive research whilst going through both ESA and PIP. My health stops me from working hense my ESA claim. Even if i could work DWP would be the last place on earth i choose to work for!

9

Hi Ravdalal

Your not alone in this. My decision from MR was the same. Lies told by the assessor were used again. I dread if Info sent by my consultant, GP and nurse specialist. I have this week sent I the appeal form with documentation that I have MS which effects the cerebellar ataxia. Celebrium and it has now spread to my spinal cord. Eye sight effected, balance really bad and I lean to the left when walking. My memory is now realky bad and i cannot remember conversations with my famiky. Forget what im doing. And cannot do mist of tge things i use to.Just hope my appeal goes ok. And everyone elses in tbe same boat.

Stevie

10

Hi Denise

Good to hear from someone who's been through this. I as on high rate DLA for care and low rate mobility after n accident in 2012 left me disabled. When I changed over to PIP it stayed the same. U until I Informed them I had been diagnosed with MS. The assessor said I could walk 44 meters unaided and my gate was straight. I was In fact holding my mum's arm and I walk to the left due to it effecting my left cerebellar ataxia. She said I'm not on medication and I'm on loads. My memory has been effected along with sight and various other things. I have so certificate their decision to stop my mobility and put me on basic rate. Been hospitalised again having been 23rd MS has now effected my spinal cord. I'm awaiting results if the lumber puncture. They won't be given to me until June 2nd when I see consultant. One thing there looking for is early onset dementia. My MR was as I expected the same. They used the assessors repirt again. And none of the documents sent by consultant specialist nurse or GP. Mum helped me do the appeal form and sent all documents and her own letter with this. Just worried as she paid to have it signed for upon delivery. But it is a P.O. Box number. Not sure if we'll be able to track it. But mum has telephone number of the court. So shell ri g next week to ask if they have it.

Just so many people going through this right now. Glad I have so.eo e to help me. And your advice to people must mean alot. Keep up the good work.

Stevie

11

Sorry for spelling mistakes. Not a good day today.

12

Not only that, I was changed from incapcity benefit to ESA in Jnuary, had my home assesment for PIP March 9th not heard the result yet. Now i've been sent a form for ESA asking the same questions that I answered for my PIP claim. How stupid is that, maybe if they wanted to save money they should talk to each other. Think I might have to make an excuse and get a new form as I wrote some very agressive answers on mine. Just more stress that you don't need. No wonder thay are saving money, they are making the system so difficult that I can understand why people just give up. I suppose that's exactly what they want. A very supportative caring communtiy that looks after those in need. joke

13

The reason they don't do this is because ESA and PIP are 2 completely different benefits. They maybe very similar questions but the criterias are different. Some claim PIP and work were as ESA is for those with a limited capability for work or those unable to do any work at all.

14

Don't mean to sound rude but I quote you "since my head injury I struggle to read and write."

The length an way you've wrote your question is really good. So thought that was very strange and I had to pass comment.

There are a lot of people who play the system and I think it's good people are being retested, all the people who are fiddling the system thinking they will get it for the rest of their lives will now get caught out. Anyone who has health conditions will be ok either on assessment or through tribunal, I know it's a ball ache for anyone to go through. Hopefully thou the right people will get it.

15

To pass judgement on someone on an internet forum when you have no idea of their circumstances is wrong! Someone could have typed that for them. We have someone on here infact who's mother does just that on occasions.

You quoted "Anyone who has health conditions will be ok either on assessment or through tribunal" Not entirely true. It's much harder now to "play" the system especially with PIP. There's so many geniune people out there that have been refused even at Tribunal! PIP isn't about NOT being able to do something 100% of the time, it's about not being able to do something regularly, reliably, without pain and discomfort. Please don't judge!

16

Hi I'm Mark.

My MR returned the same as after my assessment. When the assessor lied. Once again they used her details. Not the ones they said they had from my consultant Nurse and GP. All of which stated the old details along with nrw evidence I have now a more advanced type of MS. I have already we t in the appeal form all documents and letter from my partner and mum, Who have both attended appointments, assessments and many hospital visits each time I'm admitted onto the neurologist ward.

I would have given up if it wasn't for my partner and mum. So I'm ready to attend the tribunal and let them see for themselves how this condition has effected not just my daily living but my whole life.

Just thought I'd let everyone know.

Thanks Mark

17

Oh and Denise although I value your advice. Hope the pun about someone's mum. Is not aimed at mine just be sure she speaks her mind about some people still playing the system.

For I'll have you know she is actually working with someone right now. Who is in receipt of both middle rate care for help with personal care and low rate mobility for getting around. Both awarded indefinitely. And the young guy needs no help whatsoever. He does everything himself and goes out on his bike or public transport everyday. So please don't make assumptions people are judging others when she only speaks about people and cases she knows are real. She would never judge people she has never met or knows nothing about.

Like alot of people on here assume you must work for DLA as you seem to know quite alot to be able to give others advice. You state you gained your knowledge from research you've done. My mum actually works with mentel health and learning disabilities. And discovererd many years ago how many lies they do tell to get their benefits. She could have reported them but chose not to. But hopefully they will be caught out when the have to change over to PIP

Rant over.

Mark

18

The "pun" as you put it was not a critisium it was sticking up for the person!! Why do people always judge others??? I'm getting fed up of some people on here. You are all so wrong in thinking i work for DWP i actually claim ESA and PIP myself and i'm in Support Group for ESA!! I have NEVER and will NEVER work for DWP or any of them for that matter! I come here to give advice because it's what i chose to do! I don't have to spend my time doing it but i like advicing others and helping where i can! You have no right to critise me when all i do was stick up for the person whose mum wirtes for them sometimes ( i have no idea if it's you in all honesty) I wasn't making assumptions either for your info.

Another thing, i know all about mental health and learning disabilities because my daughters has both! so don't make assumptions yourself please! wow seriously some people really annoy me! and you're one of them with your accusations post above!

Rant over!

19

I do struggle to read and write hence I have a speak and dictation system on my computer.  I know what I want to say and I know how to say it however I cannot seem to write it down anymore.

I understand that people are milking the system and that needs to stop but there is a big differance from a mental disability to physical Disability but they should be treated the same way.  I am physically fine and I have no concerns on that part of the ATOS report.  The sheer fact is that ATOS only seem to be intrested in physical disability which is wrong.

20

You got it right there Denise as you are doing exactly what you expect others not to do. You are judging people who out their opinions on here. You do give out some excellent advice. But you make comments in regards to what others say. Whether they be right or wrong. And everyone on here I do not judge anyone or make assumptions. As I have health conditions of my own. And welcome any advice which is very much appreciated. And I am not one of the people who think you work for DWP. I do understand you do it to help others. I might have memory problems which can I say I have been told may be early onset dementia. So I do rely on as much Info as I can get while I can still remember. And will always rely on my mum. Who by the way is fighting hard to make sure I receive the benefits I am entitled to.