0 points for PIP? (advice please)

[Catastropher]

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?

@Babyroobs yes I would definitely expect that to go to tribunal, try and get as much medical evidence and any other evidence for example any adjustments their employer has made or any occupational health involvement there has been. The reality is that there is so many people making things up or exaggerating trying to claim fraudulently that it makes it so much more difficult for those who are actually in need constantly having to prove themselves. I am not just saying that I know many people who have been on PIP for many years who openly admit they lie to get it.

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..

This person may be able to do all that, and still have mobility problems. She may just operate at a slower pace. That would not mean that she could not use public transport.

Yes exactly. I am on a few PIP sites on facebook and people just openly encourage others to exaggerate and 'lay it on thick'. Everyone seems to think they should be awarded it even when they have never even looked at the descriptors, half have no medical evidence, most think they are entitled to it based on their diagnosis. It's depressing. I need a new job !

But why would they qualify for pip if they can do that, even at a slower pace? I’m all for people who genuinely need it and qualify for it to get it, and actually it should be more money for those who do, but surely we can’t have everyone who has any condition getting it or there won’t be enough money for those who do? I’m not sure someone who can do a full time job supporting others, get public transport and go all round town themselves should get it to be honest.

@Babyroobs I Know that you are an expert, and know about all this. I was just speaking out loud.

No I can’t claim UC or related benefits because my DH works. The only benefit I’m eligible for is PIP.

I’ve had as much MH support as the NHS is able to give me. My GP said there is no more help for me, and he advised me to apply for PIP so I could pay privately for counselling and support for as long as I need it. But the assessor used the fact that I’m not currently receiving any support as justification to give me 0 points.

I’ve googled the wording where they said I can’t possibly have any difficulties because I can drive. It’s a copy and paste phrase that they’re using to deny people PIP.

The whole system needs to be sorted out. It should be on medical evidence/GP referral not people filling in the forms themselves surely.

I agree but I guess with GP's being allegedly so overwhelmed it would just add to workload and DWP seem to override Gp sick notes etc anyway.
I agree the whole system needs an overhaul, there needs to be more stringent checks and more regular reviews ( for some ) but that's not going to happen. They can't recruit ( decent) assessors as it is, the whole system is not fit for purpose .

This

If you can cook, travel alone, wash yourself, manage your own medication, drive etc….then you won’t score any points.

PIP isn’t about proving your can’t work it’s about proving you have care needs.

There are people claiming PIP that can work and there are people who can’t work who don’t get PIP.

I had trouble getting it for dd because she was doing A levels and planning on going to uni, they ignored all her care needs because she was academically able. I asked for reconsideration and had a long phone call going through all her care needs (she can’t travel alone, needs prompting to shower/brush teeth, can’t cook due to dyspraxia). She was then awarded high rate.

I totally understand how hard it is for someone with autism to hold down a job and understand how frustrating the PIP application is, a lot of people with autism don’t/won’t qualify because they just about manage to do all the things listed on the forms.

Thanks LadyKenya. I'm not really an expert. I help a lot of people with the forms, most get an award and I think are fairly awarded but some people just seem to have such unrealistic expectations. One client was awarded what I thought was a fair award at tribunal, but within months had put in for a change of circs again ( for no apparent reason ) risking what had taken us so long to get awarded. It's just a very frustrating job that I'm hoping to be out of within a couple of years. People also think you have all the answers and have magic words to put on the form to get them an award ! We don't !

They could qualify under the mobility section, because they struggle to walk, or suffer from breathlessness, and pain affecting their walking. That does not mean that they cannot walk. The PIP descriptors for mobility covers a range of activities. It is not just for physical difficulty though.

I get PIP for autism , they accepted I couldn’t attend an assessment- I couldn’t even do a phone assessment in the end they agreed that my gp could see me as it’s a familiar place I can get to and they could fill in a report

This seems like a much better option for some people. Glad you got your award.

This is the problem. The assessor wrote “there is no evidence of specialist dietary input” even though I have a diagnosed condition, I had endoscopy last year because it’s playing up, I have regular blood tests and I’m given medication if the results aren’t right, and I’m permanently under the care of a dietitian for the rest of my life. The assessors are literally just making up lies.

I work on pip appeals… the DWP absolutely won’t take the Claimant’s word for anything, there does have to be supporting evidence

Also did you attach all the hospital clinic letters, appointment letters, medication lists etc. I attached loads of documents to. One and was award PIP.

I get PIP for depression, eating disorders and a personality disorder. I didn’t feel well enough to fill the form in properly and only had a short assessment phone call. I’m so grateful but surprised that it was granted given some other people’s experiences.

Does someone have to prompt you to eat, do you have a specialized diet, do you have difficulties swallowing or maintaining your weight ? It's not about being diagnosed with a condition, it's about the difficulties you have in taking nutrition, whether someone needs to prompt and encourage you, help you monitor your weight. Did you send dietician letter with your form ? if not then it may be beneficial to ask for one for your MR.

This is very common.

If you can afford it, PIP Professional Support have specialist lawyers who can help with MR and draft it based on case law as well as the points descriptors.

If not, go through every part of the form and explain where you should be awarded points, highlighting the supporting evidence.

Or if you don't have someone do that what do you do to manage (or do you simply go without a meal?)

After MR, appeal. The appeal will be much fairer. The appeal is heard by doctors etc. The DWP want people to give up so they award zero points. Don't give up!!

Yes exactly,or do you rely on snacks, ready meals etc because you aren't motivated to cook a full meal. Is your diet inadequate because you forget to eat or don't eat nutritional foods etc.

They don't want people to give up but you do need to recognise what is required to qualify for PIP. It's not just a case of "I've lost a leg give me money" because lots of people with one leg operate independently and without issue in society. What you need to do it say "I've got one leg and have had to move home from my 5th floor flat with a broken lift because I have problems climbing the stairs. I can't wash properly because I only have a bath and can't get in and out of it safely because I've also got a frozen shoulder" etc etc.

I don’t have them. Who keeps bits of paper? They go straight in the recycle. And how could you prove they were real? Anyone could knock up “letters” in Photoshop. Surely the best way to ensure the truth is just to ask the GP?

Well most people applying for a disability benefit that requires proof of a medical condition would tend to keep medical letters . I mean it's not unreasonable that DWP should need to see them ! You could obtain copies from your consultant/ dietician etc or a Gp summary access request report from your GP surgery.