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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to sincerely want to thank the lady who used to work for PIP

41 replies

myoriginal3 · 12/01/2017 15:00

I was sitting with a refusal letter when she posted.
I took her advice and appealed, providing every scrap of medical letters and reports I had to hand.
Didn't hear for weeks so presumed it had gotten lost in post and gave it up as a lost cause.
On the 23rd December I received a letter telling me I had been awarded it
I didn't have to go to a meeting, they just awarded it.

I cannot remember the poster's name, but if she hadn't posted I wouldn't have dreamed of appealing

So, if you see this thread, THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH.

OP posts:

MsMims · 12/01/2017 15:59

Hang on, why is CockacidalManiac getting the praise when it seems the thread was started by IwasateenagePIPassessor who has also posted on this thread?

Glad you got sorted in any case OP!

Original poster

myoriginal3 · 12/01/2017 16:04

I would ask your gp to put together a pretty comprehensive report on you in that case Serial.
Psychiatric referral may also help you in any case. My guys barely prescribe me anything.

OP posts:

Original poster

myoriginal3 · 12/01/2017 16:08

Msmim. I am happy to thank both, but it was certainly the thread linked by cockscid that made me appeal.

OP posts:

Megatherium · 12/01/2017 16:09

The trouble with the whole benefits system is that private companies like Capita are incentivised to refuse as many claims as possible, even if there is zero by way of valid reasons to do so. I'm sure they reckon it's worth it because at most 50% of claimants will challenge it, but that means that 50% of people who were entitled to benefits aren't getting them, and they and their families are suffering as a result. When the likes of the Mail are whinging about the benefits bill, they never take into account the amount of benefits underclaiming that goes on.

So, all power to your elbow, cockacidal! Knowledge is power.

Happyhippy45 · 12/01/2017 16:10

I recently went to a HA for ESA. The DM phoned to say I would be getting put on jobseekers "because after all I could move my arms and legs." I spoke with her for a good amount of time explaining my case to her. (It's complicated.) Anyway, because of our conversation, she overturned the decision in my favour and put me in the support group. I then decided to apply for PIP. Surprise, surprise I have to go for another health assessment.
I can only imagine how much more difficult this process is if you have a severe MH condition/are a vulnerable adult/have autism etc.

Megatherium · 12/01/2017 16:10

MsMims, I think Cockacidal and IwasateenagePIPassessor are the same person.

NotCitrus · 12/01/2017 16:10

Excellent news!

My New Years resolution is to send a blank PIP2 questionnaire as a Word doc, plus guidance on what to put, to anyone considering applying - the hardest part is the shock of the form and only having about 3 weeks to complete it (funny how they seem to take 2-3 weeks in the post), but if you know the questions in advance you can type up a bit at a time, which helps with the emotional impact of "shit, there's actually even mrore stuff I can't do than I thought".

Anyone who'd like the template, just PM me with an email address.

CockacidalManiac · 12/01/2017 16:12

MsMims, I think Cockacidal and IwasateenagePIPassessor are the same person.

This is true.

IwasateenagePIPassessor · 12/01/2017 16:13

Yes, we're the same person. Namechanging, innit.

IwasateenagePIPassessor · 12/01/2017 16:14

I only used this rather unwieldy name for that thread.

MeadowHay · 12/01/2017 16:20

Congrats. I have my face-to-face assessment for PIP in a few weeks with Capita. I've had it once before a few years ago and got awarded enhanced rate of both but then I moved abroad for awhile so had to stop getting it and now that I've moved back have had to reapply again. Fingers crossed my assessor will be decent like the first one I had.

lurkinghusband · 12/01/2017 16:26

My New Years resolution is to send a blank PIP2 questionnaire as a Word doc

I created one ...

I have to also big up www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ - as an invaluable resource.

We're currently awaiting an appointment for a home assessment (and have been since before Xmas).

As luck would have it, we had even more new evidence (which we submitted) between sending off the form, and requesting the home assessment. I find myself vaguely wondering if they will actually read it now (since they clearly didn't initially) and will just make a determination on the 25 years and 50+ pages of supplied evidence.

CockacidalManiac · 12/01/2017 16:26

Most of the assessors that I met while doing the job wanted the best for the claimants; it's the system and levels of audit and management that make it difficult to do that.
I don't know for certain that Capita try to reduce PIP awards, but it certainly felt like it sometimes. There were pressures to downgrade those with invisible illnesses, as I said on the thread.

CockacidalManiac · 12/01/2017 16:27

In my experience, you can't have too much evidence.

RocketQueenP · 12/01/2017 16:35

this is great news congrats OP and well done to the poster who helped.

lurkinghusband · 12/01/2017 17:07

I don't know for certain that Capita try to reduce PIP awards,

The real driver is that Capita have to make money - the less they can spend per claimant, the more they make (especially if they don't have to pay for appeals).

It's highly unlikely you will find a smoking gun where Capita were told to reduce claimant numbers. But the overall effect would be that they have to, if they want a profit.

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