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Original poster

0 points for PIP? (advice please)

194 replies

Catastropher · 15/04/2024 17:00

Sorry I didn’t know where else to put this. I have autism and I haven’t worked for eight years because of it. I also have stomach issues. I applied for PIP and the DWP has rejected my application with 0 points.

I have no cognitive impairment because I drive a car.

I have no difficulty planning journeys because I drive a car and walk the dog round the block. Also I attended the assessment (which they forced me to attend otherwise I couldn’t get PIP).

I am able to cook and wash and budget etc (despite me saying I struggle) because I’m not cognitively impaired and I drive a car (a complex task).

There is no evidence of MH support (I’m on duloxetine and had 2 courses of therapy in the past year).

There is no evidence of nutritional support (I’m permanently under a dietitian, annual hospital reviews and blood tests, permanent prescriptions for vitamin supplements, bone scans every couple of years).

They said I can converse fully without prompting. I am diagnosed with autism!

I don’t know what else to do at this point. Does anyone have any advice please?

OP posts:
PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 15/04/2024 17:18

I don't know a great deal about it but I believe you can apply for a mandatory reconsideration. Many people are awarded PIP on mandatory reconsideration despite being rejected initially.

I can recommend the site Benefits and Work for detailed guides on how to fill in PIP forms. They helped several people I know get awarded PIP.

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 15/04/2024 17:18

The letter you received should tell you how to apply for a mandatory reconsideration.

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 15/04/2024 17:22

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration. You have to do this within 1 month of the date of rejection.

My daughter did this (basically reiterated what she said on her initial application, emphasizing how her conditions affected her at their worst) and she was successful.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Benefits General health
PinkBuffalo · 15/04/2024 17:26

I get pip for my autism cos I really struggle

DWP did award me 0 points as well
I did take it to mandatory consideration begging them to no make me go to court - they award me 0 points

i did have to to take it to tribunal. The court were much kind and my boss did attend with me (it was a virtual hearing as I cannot travel far)

the court awarded me standard care and mobility and all backpayed to the date I did apply

unfortunately you will probably have to take it to court

good luck 🍀

Nonametonight · 15/04/2024 17:30

DWP are notorious for wrongly refusing pip claims. Request mandatory reconsideration, and if they still refuse pip then appeal.

Make sure you focus on the pip points and explain why you think you meet the criteria. It's useful to give real life examples

Blink360 · 15/04/2024 17:30

PIP is about how disabled you are by your condition not the diagnosis. If you didn't write on the form how it affects you negatively they won't award you the points. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration and go from there.

Skiphopbump · 15/04/2024 17:34

Did you have any support filling in the form?

Indicateyourintentions · 15/04/2024 17:47

It took me 18 months from first application to tribunal hearing and then another four months before I got my first payment. It’s a long haul. Go for the mandatory reconsideration, which may well give you 0 points as well and then tribunal.
I had free legals who fight for people to get their benefits and at the tribunal a doctor asked me how my autoimmune conditions affected my life. They awarded me my PIP from 0 points.
Keep on keeping on and don’t let the bastards grind you down.
I would imagine there are Autism charities that may help you with the forms and fighting on your behalf at the tribunal.

TookTheBook · 15/04/2024 17:48

Citizens Advice are experts in dealing with this - try and get an appointment with them to help you with the mandatory reconsideration and appeals process

dizzydizzydizzy · 15/04/2024 18:05

I also got 0 points. I have ME/CFS and I am going to tribunal. I have been signed off work sick for 4 weeks so far due to the ME/CFS.

I was advised get as many letters of support as possible. Got a letter from my GP, a recent employer, current employer and my daughter. I had already sent them a letter of support from the hospital and various diagnosis reports.

It's awful iisn't it .the stress has caused me to be signed off work!!!

Blink360 · 15/04/2024 18:07

Write a diary of your lived experience for a week. What it looks like for you to get up, dressed, fed, out the house etc. do you have to stop and catch your breath? Do you get anxious? Do you need a nap? Have you had to reduce your work hours? Have you restricted when you go to the shops so they're quieter? Do you have to wear pads? Do you have any equipment round the home? Do you have alarms set to remind you to take medications? Don't answer me but think on these things when writing your applications.

PomPomDahlia27 · 15/04/2024 18:30

You have to try and answer each question with:

No, I can't do that without help or support eg meds, equipment etc

As opposed to: Yes, I can do that because I have meds, equipment etc.

It's not about having diagnoses, meds, equipment, difficulties, it's about evidencing that you cannot do certain things which other people can do. You can have a hundred things going on but if you show that you are managing fine despite those things then you won't get PIP.

You need to show them all the ways that you need help and support.

Overthebow · 15/04/2024 18:35

You need to be able to show how you cannot do the things mentioned. A diagnosis of autism doesn’t automatically mean you can’t do them and doesn’t automatically mean you get pip. When you say disagree that you can converse appropriately because you have a diagnosis of autism, well lots of people with autism can, you need to show how you can’t if you can’t.

SwordToFlamethrower · 15/04/2024 18:44

Go to fightback4justice, they have trained legal people to help you with this. Highly recommended

ChrissyShenkle · 15/04/2024 18:50

Don't do an MR yourself, CAB have Welfare Rights Officers who are trained in how to do these, even if an MR gers refused you can go to appeal
Rightsnet have guides for PIP application specific to various conditions

ChrissyShenkle · 15/04/2024 18:55

Also ,when filling in these forms you have to think how you do things in comparison to someone without your condition, reliably, safely and in a reasonable time frame are the key words

LadyKenya · 15/04/2024 19:00

Hopefully there will be a change of Government soon, and they will do something about the process of applying for help, for people with disabilities. As it stands, at the moment, as far as I am concerned, the whole process is meant to act as a deterrent. It is not straightforward to fill out the form, and relies on the claimant having an understanding of how to answer the questions. The excuse for all these changes, was supposed to cut disability benefit fraud, which was miniscule in the first place. It is no doubt costing more, for the constant assessments, reviews, tribunals, and backdated pay, that they have to keep forking out, when their decisions are overturned.

LadyKenya · 15/04/2024 19:31

.

nibblemunch · 15/04/2024 20:03

My friend got 10 points for mobility and 4 points for daily living.
Dont know what the outcome will be yet she only got her points.

TheFormidableMrsC · 15/04/2024 20:15

This has just happened to a friend of mine who applied on behalf of her son who has a list of ND conditions and cannot work and will never live independently. He too scored 0 points. They even said how confident and engaging he was at the assessment except they never spoke to him, let alone met him. It's utterly disgusting. I'm helping with mandatory reconsideration. Keep going. There are some excellent Facebook groups and the CAB will also be able to help if you need.

SendNoods · 15/04/2024 20:31

You need to go through all the questions and state why you disagree with their decisions.

The likelihood is that they think your answers and what you do are contradicting each other.

I'm not saying I agree with this but it's the most likely scenario. If you say you can do things but struggle, they will disregard the struggling part and say yes you can do these things.

Many people with autism would not qualify for PIP as it is not awarded on a diagnosis but rather on how it effects your day to day life. My younger brother is autistic and I supported him through his application but as he is also cognitively impaired and suffers severely with mental health issues it was fairly straightforward.

I think from being in various PIP support groups it gets more complicated for
people who are employed, care for others and drive etc as they see it as a contradiction and I really do sympathise with those people as it isn't as black and white as that in reality. Also I believe the nutrition question really is just asking if you can physically feed yourself or prepare a meal rather than struggle with dietary issues, although I could be totally wrong.

The positive is that many tribunals do seem to be successful even if the mandotory consideration isn't. Wishing you all the best and I really recommend joining some of the Facebook groups.

Original poster
Catastropher · 15/04/2024 20:34

The problem is that I am very functional in many ways. I have normal intelligence and no physical disability. I just struggle to communicate. Assessing me on a 30 minute interview that I’m forced to attend takes no account of the fact that I mask and it upsets and exhausts me. I can’t sustain it, that’s why I haven’t worked for years.

I specifically said I want PIP so I can pay for counselling and support that the NHS won’t provide. But then the assessor marked me down because there is no evidence that I’m currently receiving any support. So I don’t see how I can win - I get 0 points because I’m not getting support that isn’t available.

And for literally every criteria they put “You can’t possibly have difficulties with X because you drive a car”. They said “driving a car is a multi tasking activity and it requires significant powers of memory, thought, concentration and judgement”. So on that basis I can’t possibly have difficulty remembering meds and getting washed because I drive a car. I can’t have difficulty focusing on work because I drive a car. I can’t struggle with budgeting because I drive a car. I can’t struggle with journeys because I drive a car. Basically if you drive a car you’re not eligible for PIP.

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 15/04/2024 20:38

I need support for mental and physical disabilities, I work full time.
I need to apply for PIP but I'm already mentally and physically drained and I keep putting it off.

SendNoods · 15/04/2024 20:40

In the gentlest of ways and I mean no offence at all by this but are you sure you qualify for PIP? Have you gone through all the questions and answered honestly and added up the points and seen how many you believe you should have? Are you in receipt of Universal credit and claiming LCWRA? It is absolutely possible to drive work etc and be in receipt of PIP but your reasons for claiming need to not contradict things you do for example you couldn't work in a customer facing role and say you can't interact with others or you can't prepare a meal but work in a kitchen.

Babyroobs · 15/04/2024 20:43

SendNoods · 15/04/2024 20:31

You need to go through all the questions and state why you disagree with their decisions.

The likelihood is that they think your answers and what you do are contradicting each other.

I'm not saying I agree with this but it's the most likely scenario. If you say you can do things but struggle, they will disregard the struggling part and say yes you can do these things.

Many people with autism would not qualify for PIP as it is not awarded on a diagnosis but rather on how it effects your day to day life. My younger brother is autistic and I supported him through his application but as he is also cognitively impaired and suffers severely with mental health issues it was fairly straightforward.

I think from being in various PIP support groups it gets more complicated for
people who are employed, care for others and drive etc as they see it as a contradiction and I really do sympathise with those people as it isn't as black and white as that in reality. Also I believe the nutrition question really is just asking if you can physically feed yourself or prepare a meal rather than struggle with dietary issues, although I could be totally wrong.

The positive is that many tribunals do seem to be successful even if the mandotory consideration isn't. Wishing you all the best and I really recommend joining some of the Facebook groups.

Edited

Yes agree with the working bit.
I am trying to support someone currently who says she can't walk etc, is falling over all the time but works full time supporting vulnerable people, gets public transport to the other side of the city etc. I think it's going to go against her to be honest and am prepared for MR & tribunal..
There are so many people applying for PIP. I just think there is going to be a huge change soon making it even harder to claim sadly.