This isn’t fair, this is fucking evil.

[MrsWrex]

My wife has had her pip reassessment reduced because of one point.

Her condition hasn’t changed one bit, we have letters from various professionals stating this. Some assessor that knows jack about her condition has stated she has no problems with communication at all because she ‘sounded intelligent’ (yes, that is written in the reply letter, apparently you can’t have autism if you sound intelligent)

You can’t even get a diagnosis of autism without some glaring problems with communication.

Sorry, just needed to vent. Can’t do it at home as dw is stressed enough as it is. I’ve been trying to get her to stop adding up how much this is going to affect us. Dd has been diagnosed with autism too, I just feel terrified for them both in the future.

I’ve called up for a mandatory reconsideration, I am fairly certain we’ve got enough evidence to win a tribunal. This system just seems to be designed to stress us as much as possible, it’s wrong.

I know somebody with Crohns and they do get tired but it wouldn't occur to me they'd be on PIP. I think the general public and everyone needs to be educated on what PIP is actually for. It was my understanding that it was to help people to pay for care to do things they weren't able to do themselves like get washed and dressed or do basic housework if they simply couldn't on a day to day basis.

Pip assessments are the epitome of unfair, end of conversation. I’d keep pushing how can her claim be worth less now than it was before if there have been no changes. What a disgrace I’m sorry for you and your family. I hope this can be rectified.

Yes lots of people with chronic illnesses get tired, but are ineligible for PIP.

@thenightsky you are kidding right? I just can’t even think how anyone would think that was a reasonable question.

I have me/fibromyalgia and absolutely have a pip claim but I won’t even do a blue badge claim as I just find the whole thing terrifying.

A blue badge claim is just sending off a form for a blue badge.

A Pip claim is infinitely more difficult, harrowing, disheartening.

The two aren't comparable.

I’m very much aware of that professorcat. Sorry if that suggested I compared them. I’m just nervous of all the stigma attached to it all plus the horror stories of the pip assessments. I’m relatively young and invisible disabilities to a degree I have friends in similar situations that have actually been called out with their blue badges by random strangers.

Vivienne

Both my mother and one of my children has crohns. It affects them entirely differently.

Some people with crohns develop sepsis , have parts of their bowels removed, have colostomy bags.

You are very wrong to say PIP is not for people with crohns and your attitude makes it very hard for my child for whom crohns is a chronic condition.

PIP is assessed on how a condition affects someone, not on a diagnosis. Most conditions can vary widely in their impact.

Sorry Mustang, I agree with you there. I've had a blue badge since my mid twenties and have had it ripped from my hand, thrown on the ground, been accused of stealing it, been screamed at over ten times etc. all by elderly people because I look "too young" to be disabled. It's really awful and has made me fear confrontation.

I have invisible illnesses but since I've started using a wheelchair, it doesn't happen as much. It's awful that we have to be afraid though.

I would suggest if any of you have the time or energy you

contact SCOPE on freefone 0808 800 3333 for advice

complain to the Department of Work & Pensions - look for the how to complain bit down the page
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

email your MP.
www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

and let them know briefly how you feel.

I do agree that it's how it affects the person. If a disease or complications from a disease makes a person unable to look after themselves and do basic household tasks then they should be eligible for PIP. The system has been abused and that's a fact. Which is why it's got so strict with so many chancers. They have ruined everything for the really deserving and genuine cases.

Lazymum99...."Addiction affects the brain"!! ...If they HAD a fucking brain in the first place, then they would know what to and what NOT to be addicted to....??

What an insult!!....

The brain is only "ill" if you decide to make it that way. Again this is a choice!!..Feed your body crap and your brain will eventually cave in as well..

My son had NO CHOICE but to give up his college education because the GP appointments, hospital appointments, time off to give blood, time off for "fusion treatment" (look it up if you are not familiar with the term), meant that he was so far behind in his course that he could not keep up with it and felt it was only fair to leave because he felt he was keeping the rest of his class back!!

He had a video link when he was in hospital and was able to see his tutor and his class mates on his laptop to take part in lessons but before the end of the lesson he was usually asleep because of his meds. He exhausted every avenue to try and keep his course going but in the end he gave up... Even as ill as he was, he was still considering someone else, he actually thought he was doing someone else out of a place in college when he was so ill he could not attend, so he gave up his course in the hope that in a while he could go back and do his course again. He lost his College Bursery Money and his EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) but all because of his illness. His PIP money would have went towards what he would have needed to keep up with his education (he was studying to be a Bio-Chemist), be that books, private tuition to get him up to speed with the rest of his class, but certainly nothing recreational i.e. drugs or alcohol.

Cant anyone understand this??

Vivienne. I agree with your post. I try to help people apply for PIP every day and it's frustrating. So many people think it is some kind of compensation for being ill, they don't realise that it is all about how your illness affects you on a daily basis. There is a lot of abuse of it but then genuinely ill people with a lot of problems get turned down. A lot just depends on the assessor on the day. The whole system is messed up.

To be honest Babyroobs, when we went for our consultation, we (in my opinion) stuck out like a pair of sore thumbs!! I was dressed as I usually am, nice clothes, make up, hair done, lovely bag etc. My son was well turned out, clean and tidy (because we thought we had to make the effort).. The people sitting with us, hobbled in on crutches (couple I am referring to were laughing and joking and carrying on with one another before they went in because I saw them), looking as though they had just rolled out of their beds. My son actually said to me "mum, im not going to get this, because they are going to take one look at you and think "she looks like she can afford to keep him, we don't need to give them any money"...That was his thought.!!

What they don't realise is that I buy most of my clothes from charity shops but im a proud person and still like to make the best of myself. Just because I didn't have a bath and turn up in jeggings and a long t-shirt doesn't meant to say that my son didn't deserve any less!!!

XXX

Just read my last message back and realise it sounds terrible. !!...But it just goes to prove that people DO judge on appearances,..and I do think this happens...

I wish I could win hundreds of thousands of pounds on the Lotto and I would be only too happy to give to the people who really need it!!

Yes Ewen it is much harder to prove illnesses that aren't visible, which is a really HUGE flaw in the system. There's an article in the Guardian on this same issue right now, people with mental health problems being refused PIP because they don't 'look' ill.

I myself have Fibromyalgia and some days my feet hurt so much I literally cannot walk. I have missed loads of my uni course, and am considering dropping out. When it flares up the pain is simply crippling, I never have a night of uninterrupted sleep, I can barely eat because of the stomach pain and am shattered everyday, also experience really unsettling neuropathic sensations, today I have had a feeling of ants crawling across my face and my eyes on and off all bloody day. Yet I sincerely doubt I'll qualify for PIP, despite me spending a small fortune on Uber, needing to buy more books as I can't into to library to keep up, not being able to carry shopping bags, or stand (or even sit sometimes for that matter) for longer than 20 mins without my butt, ankles and legs burning and sometimes fingers so painful I need my sons to open jars or chop hard veg or lift heavy pots, that's if I'm not lying on the sofa. Even hoovering is challenging.

There are plenty of people in your son's position. It's a shit situation. Please try again and appeal. And yes, whilst I doubt it will help, dig out some leggings and scruffy trainers

@ProfessorCat a blue badge application is not just sending off a form for many people. It is not an easy form for many people and some people are called for an assessment.

I’d be interested to know how many people are awarded PIP for substance addiction and they don’t have any comorbid health problems.

I’ve succssfully helped people appeal PIP and ESA decisions and I’m going through the process for myself. It’s soul destroying but I don’t feel I have the right to judge those who do get PIP for other reasons. If we are going to judge addicts, I suppose we should judge people like me; I am slightly overweight which is hardly ideal for someone with a progressive mobility condition.

'If they HAD a fucking brain in the first place, then they would know what to and what NOT to be addicted to....??'

ewan1234 what on earth should they choose to be addicted to. This statement makes no sense and is extremely insulting to anyone who finds themselves with an addiction issue.

Strange, Sunnyskies. I'm guessing it varies by Local Authority then. I found it an incredibly simple process and have renewed twice and it was just as easy.

PIP on the other hand...

Lazymum99...... Read back your previous message....???

Hadron that sounds horrendous, so sorry you have to go through that.

Thanks Sundune. My stance is that everyone is suffering to a greater or lesser degree, addicts included. Even those without disbilities or illnesses. Society is becoming increasingly disconnected? Cold? Not quite sure what the word is ......maybe apathetic is the ond I'm searching for (despite so many virtual connections ironically). It stands to reason that there will only be an increase in mental health problems and associated addictions.

If I had the choice I'd still take my condition over being an crack head or a heroin addict, alcoholic etc. Addictions take more than just your health, they take your reputation, your conscience, your friends, your family, your dignity, your self-respect and even your sanity. I don't begrudge them PIP. If people who should get help aren't getting it then the blame lies with the government, who are all too happy to give massive tax breaks to corporations and 'benefits' in the form of land subsidies to some of the wealthiest landowners in Britain to the tune of tens to hundreds of thousands a year, whilst reducing financial help to people in desperate need for daring to get ill, and then demonisin those that do receive help.

I agree, we all have our struggles, some have had really bad starts in life and just find life hard to get through. Somewhere along the way we seem to have lost our compassion. If we can't look after our sick and vulnerable then we're lost. I'm afraid it's only going to get worse. The tories will make sure of that.

I claimed PIP and have been turned down. I am now appealing. I am GLAD if people with mental health disorders and/or addiction get it. I am sad our NHS can not always help them. Alcoholism is but a step away for many. My parents were both addicts, as was my younger brother. I am angry that people judge without real understanding. Self medication is the starting point for many. I am shocked that people are so ignorant.

I am obese (now, three and a half stone on in four months on starting pregabalin), my mobility problems are so much worse but it stops some of the pain but no doubt I would recover faster from surgery than I do now.

I actually think the philosophy behind PIP, that is how people manage usual daily activities (does not include housework unfortunately) is pretty good. Even if this means people who are not incapable enough despite having a tough time don’t get it. Many many people have a tough time and cope.

I am angry about the implementation. The assessment system is a joke and the cost to the country of appeals with full tribunals etc immense. The cost to the well being of the individual even greater. Oh and yes, I look pretty good a lot of the time. For various reasons washing dressing and make up are a priority. My Assessor used me being well kempt as proof I can wipe my own bottom!! No way am I turning up to the Tribunal in a long tee shirt and leggings, but that is just one of my coping mechanisms.

I am going to stop having wiped out huge amounts of writing about the judgmental intolerant ignorance of some people and media ☹️ If you think you, or a son, should be entitled to PIP then you appeal, open your eyes to the way the system is implemented.

www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/pip-esa-assessments-forum-17-19/