I have just gone through a PIP tribunal (and won)

[DoctorHildegardLanstrom]

After nearly a 2 year wait, thought it might be useful.

Also in that time was made homeless, had to go into temp accommodation and go through all that as well. So know a little about that system as well.

With MH issues did you find it difficult to fit the descriptors to get the necessary points? Did you have any points before the Tribunal or were you starting from 0 ?

dancingthroughthedark

I think I had 4 points, I didn't find it difficult to meet the descriptors, what was really tough for me was being honest with myself when I did fill in the form and at the tribunal.

I have gotten so use to putting brave face on it all that to say actually I can't do xyz was really tough

I'm glad things are now going better for you Doctor.
It makes me so angry the effects these flippant decisions have on peoples lives (& too many have sadly died). Its cheap for DWP to let it go to appeal & hope claiments give up after claim refused.

I won my PIP tribunal after scoring 0 points at assessment. It took nearly 2 years from starting claim. I knew from reading others experiences it would likely end up at tribunal from the start, I felt suicidal in weeks upto court date & wanted to quit although financially I didn't have a choice.

I equally dread having to go through it all again.

Baked beans well done on winning your tribunal. I have found it to be so bad for my mental health that I have given up trying to access ESA and PIP for the moment and I am living from my savings.

By the time your award is finally settled the threat of the next review is already hanging over your dead. I found the process to be dehumanising and undignified in the extreme.

Baked Beans

Congratulations, I can relate very much to everything you said and I live in fear of that brown envelope coming through my letter box.

Snog

I think that is exactly what the government want, which is why it is so bad. The benefits should be there to support those who can't, not to make it as difficult as possible

Congratulations OP, it’s great news but how crap that you had to go through all that.

I complete PIP forms for people sometimes as part of a charity. I can’t emphasise enough that if you struggle to do something your answers should always be “No because” and not “yes but”.

In addition always ask for a copy of the face to face assessors report (if you have a f2f) and check it line by line. Many (if not all) assessors are under huge pressure to get these reports in and too many are inaccurate as a result.

If you get refused....ask immediately for a Mandatory Reconsideration and if that fails take it further.

The sad reality is that over 70% of low or no award outcomes are overturned as you go down the line of appeals. Amber Rudd has finally recognised this is too high and indicative of errors in assessment and decision making. She’s yet to actually DO anything about it but she has at least recognised it.

My son is autistic with learning difficulties, he’s just been awarded PIP for five years...no face to face but is 16 and attends a special school so I guess they feel he didn’t need one.

@DoctorHildergardLanstrom totally off topic but that is an EXCELLENT user name

DeloresJaneUmbridge

My face to face had a lot of inconsistencies and I had to find a stack load of ways to say well this is not what I said instead of I think the assessor is lying. It really is soul destroying going through the whole process.

And thank you, I am a massive fan of the early series, not so much on the later ones

*Over your head

Just a word to the wise, with whatever payback you get, put aside enough money for at least 6 weeks to live on for the inevitable switch to Universal Credit, as you will be left waiting that long (sometimes longer).

Flyinga

That is exactly what we have done. However, we are hoping that when we get switched over, I will hopefully be back at work, so it won't affects us. At least that is what I am hoping