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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be frantic with fear about PIP review?

38 replies

disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 16:19

I was awarded PIP for 3 years with a review after 2. It's coming up fast and I'm terrified. I survive because of PIP and the extra Housing Benefit I get to pay the rent. I work part time.

Just so scared today because I know they will want to take it away.

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 09/04/2017 16:23

YANBU at all :( I have my first assessment soon and I am pretty sure I won't get it TBH.

Babyroobs · 09/04/2017 16:24

If you still have difficulties with the same things you did 2 years ago then you should be fine. I think one of the descriptors has changed recently and it seems harder for people with mental health problems to get PIP.
Do you receive both components?
I have recently seen a few young people who have had DLA all their lives but have then been denied PIP.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/04/2017 16:28

I'm not going to tell you not to panic. That would be very hypothetical, as I'd be panicking myself. These people do not make life easier.
However all that said. You don't 'know' that they're going to stop your money. Do you have a strong support network behind you eg Doctors and other medics.
Also if you fail. There's nothing stopping you from appealing. With the support of a welfare advisor.
((((((((((((()))))))))))))). Massive hug.

Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 16:45

Thank you.

I don't get the Mobility element.
My health has actually deteriorated over the last year, I have more issues and attend more specialists. However my mental health has become more stable ie I don't want to kill myself over my disability anymore.

I'm afraid that they will take that as proof I don't need PIP, take away my support, then my mental health will completely unravel again as I can't pay rent, food, etc.

I fucking will appeal it though! Just the lack of certainty about being able to survive is panicking me.

Sending hugs of solidarity to others in this bind.

OP posts:
Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 16:48

Having one of those days where the amount of fighting needed to get anywhere at all seems very overwhelming.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 09/04/2017 16:52

Op . Do you get working tax credits? I think you only have to work 16 hours if you are in receipt of PIP and are on a low income.

PlayOnWurtz · 09/04/2017 16:54

Don't panic. I had my review and was scared because of the dickheads scaremongering. Don't listen to it. They're just that, dickheads scaremongering. My award got increased at my review and mobility element added.

Nothing has changed other than the paperwork is now easier to complete in my experience

MrsJayy · 09/04/2017 16:57

Ok dont get in a state they are not going to take it away from you. Just be honest but on your worst days not a better day it will be ok is there anybody who can go with you?

MrsJayy · 09/04/2017 16:59

It is very overwhelming and intrusive but it will be alright Flowers

manicinsomniac · 09/04/2017 17:00

I can understand your panic. You do hear some awful stories.

However (in my limited experience at least) everyone I know with significant mental and/or physical disability have got what they needed at their review. The only reason for not going would be actual, genuine, measurable improvement in their health which is of course a good thing (this only applies to one person I know).

If you have got worse, not better, I really can't think that you'll have a problem. (also - do you have to admit how much better you are mentally? Of course you shouldn't have to lie but, if you're really anxious, then I don't see that it would hurt to?)

PlayOnWurtz · 09/04/2017 17:00

Best advice I was given was to drop the daily brave face and tell it straight as it is. So I did. It hurt like hell to do that and made me blub like a baby but i would far rather they see exactly what it's like to be me than sit there saying all's well

MrsJayy · 09/04/2017 17:05

Sorry you were so upset playonwurtz but that is exactly what people need to do oh and don't say I'mfine.

PlayOnWurtz · 09/04/2017 17:06

That's what I'm advocating doing mrsjay

MrsJayy · 09/04/2017 17:08

I was a complete wreck during my review and i slept for 2 hours when i got home.

Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 17:17

I never let ANYONE in real life see how bad I am. My doctors all deal with separate bits of me so they never see a whole picture of everything together, if that makes sense. Although, I will be able to get my different consultants to write simple letters outlining my problems, I suppose.

I have a new psychiatrist, who has never seen me at my worst. I have been very honest, but when I'm in the appointment I'm not falling apart visibly like I used to with my old psychiatrist. I don't know how he will view my overall state.

If the decision is a 'No' from the review form would it be stopped immediately? Or would I get it until the end of the period it has been awarded to which is a year away?

I'm most frightened of an immediate stop, because then I will be up shit creek as Housing Benefit stops and my rent will go into arrears.

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 09/04/2017 17:17

manicinsomniac Encouraging dishonesty is not going to help OP.

OP you don't need to panic, but don't be complacent. Try and get updated evidence from whoever manages your care. Even if it's a brief letter saying nothing has changed.

Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 17:35

I would never be dishonest, I don't have the temperament for it it would cause my anxiety to soar.

OP posts:
IfyousaysoKT123 · 09/04/2017 17:38

OP if they stop it it will be immediate - you do not get the rest of the award ( mine awarded til Dec 16, stopped in June 16 following April 16 assessment.) I absolutely do not want you to feel worse - I know exactly how you feel. For me the worst came true & I had to go all the way to Tribunal, where the judge actually apologised for the system & the "moving of the goalposts" that had caused me such huge distress. I certainly hadn't "got better" - that doesn't happen with my condition sadly. My advice would be to go to a community law centre & ask for support with the reassessment. They can support with form filling etc to make sure you put in the right stuff in the right way. I didn't do it early enough - I also thought "they won't take it away", but they did. Get someone to stand right beside you. I can't tell you how sick those DWP envelopes make me feel now. I'm happy for those of you that had no problems, just wish I hadn't either.

Babyroobs · 09/04/2017 17:41

I think no matter how thoroughly you fill the form in, most of the decision goes on the face to face assessment.

gammaraystar · 09/04/2017 17:55

Surely if you need it you will get it, and if you don't, how nice your condition has improved :-)

gammaraystar · 09/04/2017 17:56

I say this as someone whose parent has Parkinsons and had their disability payments removed as the weren't seen to be bad enough.

Mulberry72 · 09/04/2017 18:06

YANBU I've just sent my Review form back, my claim is until March 2018, I'm absolutely bricking myself. I had my assessment in March 2015 which was horrible and I cried through pretty much all of it, then 6 months later I went through the ESA assessment which was actually ok as the assessor was lovely and couldn't understand why I'd been sent for an assessment in the 1st place.

It's a very worrying time.

Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 18:30

Thanks all.

Jesus fuck I can't believe if they take it away it's immediate. That has to be everyone's worst nightmare, in our situation. How on earth are you meant to jump suddenly into being ok? How do you pay rent while waiting for appeal or tribunal?

At least I know now, information is the only puny power we have in this situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
disabilitysux · 09/04/2017 18:32

Babyroobs, I think it is different with a review form. Sometimes they send you for another face to face interview, but sometimes not.

OP posts:
officerhinrika · 09/04/2017 18:44

OP have you filled in the form yet? If not and actually even if you have join up to this website https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk. It's a source of really good up to date advice on the forms, interviews and appeals. It costs about £20 and I found it really helpful. I used it twice and the second time the award was extended to 5 years from the previous 3 ( reviewed after 2Angry). The early reviews are a source of awful anxiety, it's something they are doing routinely now which I think is wrong. Anyway, good luck with it all.