Family member awarded enhanced pip - AIBU?

Gosh is this really true.

I have a genetic muscle wasting disease. I can’t go up stairs I have to crawl. I have reduced lung function. Half my face doesn’t work. It affects everything about me but I was assessed and awarded 0. I’ve had to go back to full time work as PIP have declared me ‘cured.’ My life is very Victorian and hard.

Sorry @Kitkat1523, like someone else , I misread your posts and mistook you for another poster. There’s so much ignorant bashing on here it annoys me occasionally and I don’t always pay full attention. I thought you were trying to imply they give PIP out without evidence. That would be disingenuous and would only cause more hateful attitudes. I do apologise for my misunderstanding.

"Benefit claimants could have a benefit bank account and debit card and account for everything too."

What purpose would this serve? Do you not understand that this would waste money?

All businesses who carry out government contracts should be paid in vouchers so we can make sure they're not paying their CEOs too much.

If you couldn’t afford the AP and adaptations, you could have applied for a grant.

In the past it has enabled me to pay for private therapy, as the NHS does not provide EMDR in my county. I can't afford that any more, as prices have gone up so much since Covid.

I mostly now use my PIP for the extra costs of being physically disabled. Heating and electric, adaptive equipment, wheelchair maintenance, someone to mow the lawn and clean, a carer to help me on certain days, etc. It doesn't stretch very far.

I have, and so have at least four others, some more than once. Unless they're taking over five years to investigate, they haven't bothered.

You're absolutely right,some pp like the nut you replied to with the Draconian big brother measures,I hope they encounter the benefits system at some point and find out the realities and not the myth's of the DWP procedures first hand.

I agree….far far more useful than any ‘medical’ evidence as it shows a persons difficulties with regard to the PIP descriptors

As a social worker, I write lots of reports and send my social care assessments and care plans as evidence for benefit claims. It’s actually more useful IMO than a basic medical report saying “Jim has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and a learning disability”.

@Kitkat1523

I think that's just miscommunication tbh

Evidence is what people mean, sometimes it's medical and other times not. I don't think anybody is saying all evidence must be 'medical' but for many it is so they don't realise the difference, or maybe over time these conversations have led to people saying you need medical evidence to just mean evidence.

I wouldn't get too hung up on that o do think people mean the same thing.

It is still evidence from a professional. So, it is objective.

Correct

You can actually provide a written statement from family members or support workers to attest to how well they know your condition and what help or support they provide. It’s very useful where there is professional input.

I mean exactly that…..’social evidence’ …..historic evidence from school ……I know people who have sent in police reports (RVPFs) as these can show a persons behaviour issues which make them unsafe in the community.…..probation reports……statements from informal carers about a persons needs……but people on here are insisting that you need medical evidence to apply …and when I say you don’t ..I am shot down in flames

Medical evidence is required in order to make a decision on any claim for disability benefit. What people are overlooking is that the case manager who decides the award isn’t medically qualified so relies on medical evidence provided to decide eligibility.

When you make a claim for PiP the application goes to whichever DWP appointed assessment provider operates in your area. An assessor looks at the claim form and decides whether there is enough evidence contained in the form (as well as any supporting evidence the claimant has provided) for them to complete a report for the case manager.

Where there is enough evidence contained in the form (with or without supporting medical evidence) to get an overall impression of the level of disability , a paper assessment will be carried out and the assessors’ report will go to the case manager and the award will be decided on that evidence.

Where there is not enough information the assessor has a number of options. They can contact the medical professionals named on the claim form, they can make an appointment to contact the claimant by telephone or video call or they can arrange for the claimant to attend a face to face assessment. The assessors’ report will be completed based on whatever information is gathered as a result.

In every case there will be medical evidence provided to the case manager because they are unable to make a decision without it. Where the claimant has not provided medical evidence of their own, the assessors report will form the basis of the case managers’ decision.

As a benefit advisor I wouldn’t have advised (and still wouldn’t advise) anyone to submit a claim without some form of independent supporting evidence - medical or otherwise. If you don’t supply your own evidence from a medical professional who knows you and is familiar with your condition, you run the risk of the award being decided on the evidence of the assessor alone. And as the high success rate at tribunal demonstrates, they don’t always get it right.

@Kitkat1523

but it’s not always ‘medical’ evidence that people send

What do you mean?

It actually doesn't always have to be 'medical' - plenty of people, particularly those with mental health difficulties, will have 'social' evidence.

@Kitkat1523

I apologise, I completely misread your meaning. I see now that you are worried it will happen, please done worry, it won't.

They do…..but it’s not always ‘medical’ evidence that people send……this is what I have been saying ….and people are now accusing me of being a benefit basher ( @Teanbiscuits33 )

Is it some sort of arthritis or something? Just with you mentioning mobility.

They do say you should describe your worst day when applying for PIP, if you go on and say well its really bad some days but I have some days where it doesn't affect me, then you are getting nothing or the minimum payment

Your’re joking aren’t you?? I’m as worried as the next person…..I am in receipt of PIP….have been for many years……. as is my DD ……I hope everybody gets to keep their award …..why would I be happy if they didn’t?🤔…..where have I said this???

Many with learning difficulties don’t have appointee. Not all need one.

This is nasty disabled person bashing.

Pip forms ask you to send supporting information. Aka evidence.

and I can quite imagine you’ll be rubbing your hands with glee if they stopped it for everyone who is undeserving by your standards. The only people who seem to concern themselves with other people’s lives are those who are unhappy with their own. I know there are people who might be exaggerating their disability, but I’m too busy concentrating on my own life to give a toss what other people decide to do with there’s. Try it some time.