PIP - Broken me

General health and lifestyle
1

I am an absolute wreck!

My pip assessment 2 weeks ago was cancelled 30 minutes before my appointment which was an absolute ordeal as I had spent the whole day in such high anxiety preparing and the days leading up gearing myself up to leave the house(I dont leave the house very often).

My rescheduled appointment was today and I was really anxious I felt like I was going to puke. I was kept waiting 45 minutes despite my partner saying it was causing me great distress I had picked my skin a lot to the point of bleeding.

I finally got in the room and the firat thing I was told was that my questionnaire abd my meds packets had been recieved but the supporting info noted on my questionnaire had not been received. I immediately went into melt down mode my eyes filled up and I just wanted to burst into tears. All the documents were sent together in the same envelope so WHY have they not received them and WHY has no one told me!? I had so much supporting info from drs, hopsital specialists, support workers, cbt therapists. I feel like now all those has been taken away from me and it put of my control. I checked so many times that the documents were all there before I sealed the envelope my partner even checked for me as I doubt myself due to my ocd. This has totally broken me. I'm sat on my kitchen floor with a bottle of wine thinking how much better of my partner would be if I just killed myself. I am nothing but a complete burden.

The worst thing is I actually tried. I really pushed myself to get all the documents together and now they are conveniently lost. I have no fight left.

2

That doesn't surprise me. At least you managed to get as far as an assessment for your PIP claim.

Me, I sent the DWP two letters a week or so apart requesting that they send me form PIP1 instead of having to telephone to start the claim off.

No form arrived so I telephoned them. Told that they had no trace of either letter and unfortunately it was now over the 30 days allowed your claim for PIP will not be allowed!

Can't claim PIP again as I am over 65 and to top it off, because the PIP claim was closed for not contacting them within that 30 day period they shut down my DLA claim that I have had since 1995.

The DWP do seem to have a habit of 'losing', but in their words 'never received' post.

3

Replied but don't think my reponse will be appropriate.

This is absolutely ridiculous. These people are big pieces of poo!

How can they even think it is okay to treat vulnerable people like this!

I'm so sorry you have been affected it is so not on. Is there any way you could appeal it?

4

Hi RR

In this instance the DWP/Assessors are well out of order you have completely played by the rules and been let down badly by shear incompetence.

That said on the PIP2 form did you give details of any personal care you receive including prompting, supervision and assistance?

If so then you are still in the game because the most important pieces of evidence are the PIP2 form and any care plans/carer statements/diary's rather than the medical evidence which really only confirms diagnosis.How did the rest of the assessment go?

5

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry, that is so unprofessional of the DWP and so unfeeling to treat a person like this.  Surely they knew at the last assessment which was cancelled by them at the last moment, that documents were missing, if they had made that clear to you then, something may have been able to get sorted.  

I really have no printable words for their behaviour.  Big hugs RachRoux. x

6

I do rely on my partner a lot which I stater in my form. She does the cooking (I can use the microwave) she makes sure i have taken my meds every day as I struggle really bad with my memory. I use I dosset box but I still panic as to whether I have taken taken my meds and if they were too many to little etc so need supervising when taking meds. I was quite blurred after the start but my partner said that the lady downplayed everything. =/

7

The same thing happened to me. First of all ESA did an assessment last August that had been cancelled twice even though I turned up in Salisbury, a month before I had shoulder surgery, back in September last year I also have had Fibromyalgia for ten years. I had all the documentary evidence to support this. After I had come.out of surgery I was devastated to.learn that at the previous assessment I had got no.points. When I submitted the surgeons and gps fit notes saying I should not work for.up to 6weeks. I should have been advised to.open a new case but no I was told the wrong info. Apply for a.Mandatory Reconsideration. So after talking.to 50 different members of staff some very rude and putting the phone down.on me , very painful journeys to the job centre the day I had my stitches removed. I then involved my local MP and I was reinstated with letters of.apology for what I had been put through.The worst thing for Fibromyalgia is stress.Then in January this year having been awarded 16 points for PIP for a year and a half on enhanced rate back last May. I was ressessed to only get 7 points due to the incompetent assessment. I then fought this to.Tribunal stage and won. I am in the support group Esa. Next thing is I get a brown letter a month ago to say I had to go back to Salisbury for another assesment as my GP had said I should.not travel as it was too.painful and I should have a home visit they sent over a taxi from Bournemouth which cost the tax payer £70. The poor driver was sent to the wrong address. Then we finally got there waited an hour to. then. be told due to.two head injuries two.years before I needed to see a doctor which they did not have so back.I came. I have no idea when I am going to be reassessed so am trying to desperately find a job although I have not been deemed fit for work. The stress the DWP are causing is atrocious!!!!!!!!!!

8

For some reason after writing about my nightmare experience I am being moderated watch the space!!!!!!!!!!!

9

I know someone who kept calling and putting back that 30 days for a year and had the lot back dated...of only we were all that lucky.

10

I have had the same,

They didn't read my supporting documents.

They said I was calm collected made eye contact even said I was wearing make up?! I wasn't.

I didn't speak to the woman once because I had a massive panic attack. She spoke to my mum. She also I formed me three times that if I did not "co-operate I can end this any time I want".. She said those exact words to me 3 times whilst I was gasping for air, my mum told.her to please allow me two mins to clam.down ...she told my mum "I don't have two mins"

She wrote that I had sat in a busy waiting room... Not true, there was myself and one other person sat waiting - how does 3 (including my mum) equal busy..

Said I was dress appropriately.. I was not at all, I left my bed and was practical carried into the place shaking.

She wrote in her assessment that I took Part in a peak flow reading...even Included an actual reading - last time I did a peak flow test was 4 years ago.. I checked with my doctors as I thought maybe it was from them - it was not.

She even said re my medication "that's a very high dose" asked when it was last chnaged.. She was told."last month it was increased" as supporting letter sent stated. In her notes she said my medication had been constant and not changed for 18 months... And not chnaged..?!...

Listed 3 other physical tests which she also stated that SHE asked me to partake in...not true I never agreed nor did.

My claim is not even relevant to those tests.

Fastforward to day, I received a letter saying my mandatory reconsideration had been assessed - how? It is still being dealt with by a social worker ect.. I also still have time to send it in and the notes they've been sent have once again been ignored.

I don't care what people say, they lie on many forms and they want to kick as many people off as possible.

You just need to fight, if you need advise contact fightback on fb.. They represent ppl too.

The nurse that did my assessment was known to the solicitor and social worker for failing people...you telling me that All those people weren't entitled?

I am not aloud to collect my own medication, I am in a&e atlest two times a month.

I only eat because I have food placed infront of me.

When I am very sick I am carried to the shower that happens atlest once every week.

When I received my assessment back today n was invited to a tribunal, I threw it in the bin n collapsed, but it's like my mum and partner said to me....you have to fight... Because they're in the wrong.. You've provided the Information they've chosen to ignore it.

Atlest in your case...u can..ask them.. Where is it? N if it goes to mandatory reconsideration.. Re submit it.

11

Wouldn't surprise me.

12

Like everyone here YOU HAVE to fight

I hope you dug the tribunal letter out of the bin as many dont even get hat far!!

13

I know I just felt like they took the control away from me. If they had told me I would of been able to do something about it. Oh well they are playing the game you just gotta keep fighting. Feeling bit better today. Thankyou for being kind Xx

14

There is help out there I am so so sorry for all you are going through I think it is so disgusting. I have gone through CAB now who have got some local lawyers involved who hopefully will take this case to tribunal. But having not been assessed not sure what it will achieve. I believe you put these documents in and these people just have no heart or feeling or give a damn or an ounce of their time to help the vulnerable. If only this could go have some clout with our health minister. I am so truely sorry and hope this works out for you. Glad you have your partner. I feel I am going somewhat insane at times as I am on my own and people must think I am getting over anxious but without this help I am just stuck in a village with no transport with no one and hurting. All my best wishes to you xx

15

Hi RR

Thanks for replying. You have got many messages to fight the way you have been treated and that is all well and good (plus I agree) but it is important you know how to fight them.

Don’t fall for the usual trick of being sucked into an argument over whether the assessor has ‘lied’ it will get you nowhere. I can’t stress this enough and please ignore others who post the horror experiences as it does-not help. You need practical help not a bitching session.

It is better to refer to the assessors ‘opinion’ (which it is) as being ‘wrong’. You do this by applying the balance of probabilities test. Fortunately you put your need for personal care and the use of aids on your PIP2 form which is a signed declaration you have told the truth (STRESS THIS)

There is nothing to stop you using your medical evidence in any Mandatory Reconsideration or appeal to a Tribunal. Simply challenge the assessors ‘opinion’ and use the medical evidence to support your claims. Then state that on the ‘balance of probabilities’ the ‘opinion’ is wrong and you should have been awarded points for the descriptor.

It means getting the evidence again unless you kept copies (always an advisable thing) but it is worth the effort. Ask to view your medical records which can be done for as little as £10 with your local health board and you can take copies. The process can take less than a month. If you reach the time limit for a MR (1 month from the date on the decision letter) send in the MR with a note that medical evidence will follow and explain the difficulties caused by THEIR mismanagement.

16

Hi

i have an assessor coming Monday to review my claim, it is due to expire may 2017. I am so worried as I sent the renewal form in & didn't expect a home visit. Nothing as changed in my condition & I sent all supporting information to support my claim so was shocked to receive a home assessment & im so worried as I have read so many bad things about them. On my first assessment on applying I attended a centre & they didn't listen to anything I said & I had to have a mr considered as I disagreed with what they had said & had changed loads of my answers etc. I. Only youngish & because you cannot see any physical problems they think you lie, I have ongoing back problems. Slipped compressing discs, I am on extremely high doses of morphine, my partner & son do almost everything for me & I am very depressed due to all this. I have a lot of support from my mum, partner & son. What am I to expect for them on Monday? Thanks 

17

Anthony do you realise now patronising you come across as.

As you agreed this is a forum.

I guess that belived in place of safety I belived that's w place I can vocalised my opinion.. One with everything everyone else.

But in all honesty you come across as though hour forming peoples opinions.. Which is why you were asked (and rudely Ignored) if you worked for dwp.. You act like you know how to deal with stuff...mote than everyone else and thats rather arrogant, truth is people lie... And my friend won her tribunal on a.lie

..so.i hope this lies help every other person that you don't put off fighting.. Because your words could put people off... For no genuine reason.

18

I realise previoues was badly typed, I am sorry I'm dyslexic and very tired.

But pls stop influencing peoples opinions.

19

So what do you want me to do just agree with you so I don't seem patronising and avoid accusations of working for the DWP?

Of course I'm trying to influence people because I have experience in making benefit appeals and I have been successful on many occasions using the advice I have put in this thread.

Your friend did-not win her Tribunal because of a 'lie' she won because the Tribunal thought that on the balance of probabilities the assessor and DWP Decision Maker's opinion was wrong. That's how ALL Tribunals work and to state otherwise is giving misinformation and is not helpful to anyone.

So my OPINION which you are trying desperately to censor is that ‘bitching’ about ‘lies’ brings no benefit whatsoever in the theatre of benefits appeals.

Finally I didn’t rudely ‘ignore’ the accusation that I work for the DWP I confronted that malicious rumor several times and eventually that person backed down because he knew what he was doing was disgusting and I don’t expect you to reignite that sickening behavior in a pathetic attempt to enhance your personal attack on my personal opinion.

20

HI Anthony,

I must admit I thought you were a bit condescending in some of your replies, but I can see that you do have knowledge of the system a nd as the saying goes ,knowledge is power.

Therefore, ignore our bitching sessions and keep advising us, if you have experience on something relevant to this site I for one want to know about it.

Mike.