PIP Assessors

[MotherEarthisaTerf]

I had a pip assessment a couple of weeks ago. I felt as comfortable as one can going into our video meeting. I’m able to articulate well enough, I was happy that I was going to be honest and I didn’t need to work too hard to convince anyone I have significant difficulties with mental or physical health. They are evident throughout my medical history.

There is no way anyone could have sat through that interview and thought I was a bullshitter, that I don’t need assistance in life. I was scored 2 points.

How does anyone go to medical school for years, spend all that underpaid time and commitment in the NHS to then go on to metaphorically piss in the faces of vulnerable claimants?

At best I hope my assessor considered that I might have better support to push it through to appeal, and let me ‘lose’ so someone else could win. But in the dark hours I won’t think that.

What a fucking grim system we’ve created, stripping out the humanity in everyone. Forcing sick, diseased, disabled people to beg. Forcing hard working staff to lie and hold people to an unachievable threshold.

what the fuck are we doing to people?

One of my yds assessments, the assessor said she wheeled herself into the room, reached around behind her and got her identity info out of her bag. She did none of that. I was with her, I pushed her in and I had the info on my bag, which I gave her.

Fightback4justice are the place to go. Advice is free and they're the best at giving you clear guidance. They do charge but it's much less than others and unlike the CAB they are lawyers not students on work experience

Assessors are not drs. they are Nurses, paramedics, Ot's , physios. I worked with someone recently who had done the job for a while and she said they undergo extensive training on all medical conditions though. Not sure how true that is.

"it creates a two tier system where those with enough education and family support can challenge the DWP, otherwise you're fucked."

I respectfully disagree with this, because Citizens Advice and similar services exist, and they do help vulnerable people with disability benefit claims, MRs and appeals. Of course, it's not guaranteed that everyone has access to a service with enough resources to help them, plus some people might not know about it or might not be able to face going through the process even with the support of an adviser. However, the option is there for most people and it can be very helpful indeed for those who use it.

I think its so variable though. I helped fill out a form for a client recently, she was awarded enhanced rates for both with no assessment within about 3 weeks ( not special rules). I was most impressed. Had another client today who has been getting standard mobility for years yet told me he walks 10k steps a day getting himself all over the place and I just think how was that awarded ? A lot of decisions don't make sense. if you think the decision is wrong then definitely do an MR.

"unlike the CAB they are lawyers not students on work experience"

If you think Citizens Advice benefit specialists are "students on work experience" you are mistaken. This comment has made me cross actually. I work for a local citizens advice and my benefit specialist colleagues are not students; they are extremely knowledgable and experienced. Despite not being qualified solicitors, most of them have a very good understanding of the benefit regulations.

It's a free but excellent service and it really gets my goat when people are so unfairly dismissive of it.

Of course resources and quality can vary between local offices; so if you've encountered a bad one it doesn't mean they're all bad.

fb.watch/oMpD2z-hhO/

This is an interview with a whistle blower!

I equally respectfully take your point too, so I'll add in those who can access advocacy too. I still think the DWP (read the Tories) are purposely creating a two tier system where they hope people run out of support, steam or just waste away if they don't have anyone to fight their corner.

I'm horrified, but not shocked @longtompot

I think even with evidence of medical history that may not be sufficient, you need to show how the condition affects you so things like physio/ OT reports etc are good or evidence of treatment with significant side effects etc.

Yes, absolutely. I've always been a leftie and always will be - but working at citizens advice has made me even more passionate about it. Honestly feel mutinous about the tories and politics in general most of the time!

I've just had a similar experience. The mandatory reconsideration came back with a few points (the original took all of my PIP away and gave me 0 for everything) but not enough points for any kind of award. I've just submitted the appeal to tribunal online.

Three years ago I had to go to tribunal for the same illness and won. It's bloody awful but appealing is the only way.

I had standard mobility and living and at reassessment had 2 points awarded in total despite having a stroke which made existing illnesses more difficult to manage etc - she spent the phone interview constantly trying to trip me up , is that your dog in the background ah I bet he takes a lot of walking etc etc - I’m waiting for tribunal date

Unless you are unable to wipe your own bottom or use a telephone they won't award you PIP on first application.

This is an excellent website for advice, they also do a weekly email with positive success stories. The majority of decisions that are challenged do get additional points.

Just posting to say that for my PIP assessment I had cancelled on them several times because of my health, and when I did do it she put so much detail in (I got a copy). I got zero points.
I did a MR and got enhanced both rates without sending any other information off.
There is a PIP forum (scope I believe) and they were so supportive through this process.
Don't give up xx

this is insane I don't know how these people live with themselves! Good luck at tribunal.

10 minutes sounds manageable. I had my assessment yesterday with a nurse. I have a number of conditions including a rare one and it took 3 hours 18 minutes. I felt exhausted, and feel utterly overwhelmed today about the whole thing (im Autistic). I had to go through each question one by one (which was already filled in with detail on the form with supporting evidence) so explaining how I manage bathing, toilet, meds, cooking and eating etc. My last assessment was 2 and a half hours. I wonder what the difference is between 10 / 20 minute assessments and 2 or 3 hour assessments. I can't work out how there can be so much difference in the process.

I've no idea what to expect award wise, but I know that I fit the descriptors easily for enhanced on both.

Best of luck OP and to others going through the process. It's baffling.

Most of the assessors are the kind of healthcare "professionals" you wouldn't want caring for a guinea pig. I honestly don't know how any nurse, OT, or paramedic or whatever could bring themselves to work for the company formerly known as ATOS or the other one and be able to sleep with themselves.

Honestly it would be less cruel to just take all the elderly/disabled/infirm round the back and shoot us.

I had the most lovely friend ( formerly a paramedic) who went into this job but it broke her within a few months. I think she naively thought she would be able to help people but the stress of the job was unbelievable.

Please be aware that often, the DWP will force assessors to change the report. It's shit. I did it for 2 years. I never lied, I never under reported. I was told repeatedly to change my reports. If I refused, they were changed anyway.