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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This isn’t fair, this is fucking evil.

317 replies

MrsWrex · 27/10/2017 08:59

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.

OP posts:
Mittens1969 · 27/10/2017 12:13

The whole system sucks. My DB has serious MH issues, and is completely unable to work and was on severe disability living allowance, but he was turned down for PIP recently.

Lovemusic33 · 27/10/2017 12:14

The system does suck, it's not set up for people with ASD and similar conditions, it's set up for people with physical disabilities (even then it's still not great).
I have 2 dd's with ASD, both are still on DLA, dd1 will move over to PIP in 2 years time and I just know she will not meet the criteria because like OP's DW she has what they consider to be 'good communication skills', she speaks quite well, she's very bright but has sensory issues and some physical disabilities (but not bad enough to warrant her getting high rate mobility as she can walk a certain distance). At the moment she gets middle rate DLA and lower rate mobility, the money she gets helps with transport, quiet holidays and activities. In 2 years time she's likely to lose all that due to the way PIP is done (their point system).

I know several people who have gone from higher rate DLA to being turned down for PIP.

AhhhhThatsBass · 27/10/2017 12:21

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User843022 · 27/10/2017 12:25

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thenightsky · 27/10/2017 12:26

Someone I know who suffers severe long term depression (20+ years) was asked why she hadn't committed suicide! Shock. She lost her PIP and is currently appealing. System is a disgrace.

madamginger · 27/10/2017 12:28

They turned down my dads pip and he has Alzheimer’s disease!
We appealed and won thank goodness.
My mum is also newly disabled after a car accident last year and she’s been left months with no money after the dwp messed her about and declared her fit for Work even though she has a broken hip that won’t heal and she needs a walking stick to walk, ptsd and severe anxiety and can barely get in a car, and now she’s developing osteoporosis.

lalalalyra · 27/10/2017 12:29

My friend has narcolepsy and despite a lot of medical evidence, including two cataplexy attscks during her medical wasn't awarded anything due to her condition being "predictably unpredictable".

She won on appeal, but had to give up her part-time hours because she couldn't afford to get there (her PIP was used to get taxis - that job was 8 hours a week and made a huge difference to her).

Worryingly our GP practise has signs up now saying they'll not issue any letter or report or anything, even if you pay, unless they are directly contacted by the DWP as it's a waste of their time as they are ignored anyway.

That puts people in catch-22 as dwp regularly now say that no medical evidence means no proof. They don't have to ask your gp for anything, so sometimes no one is asking the GP for a report until tribunal stage.

rightknockered · 27/10/2017 12:32

I have a 15 year old who will move over to PIP in a year. I fully expect he will get turned down. He is intelligent and well spoken, with very high anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and usual communication issues - he has ASD/ADHD.
My 12 year old Ds2, would get turned down I think, even though he is doubly incontinent, can't focus for more than two minutes at a time, has two LSA at school, and physical issues which mean he can't walk without pain. That is the one I will appeal the hardest. He is the one who's future I fear for the most.
The system is disgusting.
I wish you luck xx

brasty · 27/10/2017 12:33

I was told as an adult that incontinence is irrelevant for points, as long as you can change your own adult sized nappy.

brasty · 27/10/2017 12:34

And PIP is purposely harder to get than DLA. That is the point, to reduce who gets it.

User843022 · 27/10/2017 12:34

'That puts people in catch-22 as dwp regularly now say that no medical evidence means no proof. They don't have to ask your gp for anything, so sometimes no one is asking the GP for a report until tribunal stage.'

Yes or some charge £20 a letter as DWP doesn't 'generate them any income' , I mean yes if people need letters to medically clear them to fly or join a gym I appreciate it's time consuming and a fee should be charged but it just seems so inappropriate charging desperate people to have an often brief letter for their disability application.

KittiKat · 27/10/2017 12:38

MrsWrex, sorry I have not got time to read the whole thread but when you called up for a mandatory reconsideration, did you ask them for a copy of the assessors full report? You are allowed to have that along with the DWP's reasons for their decision. The DWP are very good at not telling people that they can have a copy of the actual assessors report!!! If you did not, ring them back and ask them to send it to you. Then, when you have the report, go through it with a find tooth comb and put IN WRITING your reasons why you want a mandatory reconsideration. If you just phone them and ask them to look again without putting anything in writing yourself to point out their errors or challenge their errors, the outcome may stay the same.

KittiKat · 27/10/2017 12:40

* fine tooth comb* even...

rightknockered · 27/10/2017 12:45

That is awful Brasty

User843022 · 27/10/2017 12:45

Kit when you submit a MR do you just type a letter with sub sections relating to the assessors report and what you dispute? Or is there a specific format.
My friend's assessors report is inaccurate and shows she has been scored very low. We weren't sure if when the official letter came from the DWP if they include an MR form or if as I said we just type out a letter with what she disputes once she has the official letter?

Copperkettles · 27/10/2017 12:54

I have heard so many stories like yours op. A friend was refused it because she was heard saying to her mum that they should go for a cup of tea after the assessment. I can't understand how with so many people having had horrendous experiences, that hasn't resulted in the system being changed but then I'm a nice person and I don't think the Tories and myself operate in the same way.

It is definitely worth appealing. The ruling you get right now means fuck all in the grand scheme of things.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 27/10/2017 12:57

Does anybody know the time limit for appeals? My son's pip came through but with one point deducted - no longer on the higher rate means he's lost over £100pcm and as a consequence, hes had £76pw deducted from his housing benefit. He's still got the same difficulties he was born with fgs. The whole system is barbaric

JonSnowsWife · 27/10/2017 13:01

I’ve called up for a mandatory reconsideration

YNBU but don't do this. As they'll only take things you said over the phone as your reasons why you disagree with the assessor. Have everything in a paper trail. Ring them back up and telling them you are appealing by post and then tear the assessors report apart (presuming you have a copy).

Good luck with the appeal.

rightknockered · 27/10/2017 13:02

Definitely don't do the MR over the phone. The person you get on the other line will be ready to trip you up while you are in an emotionally heightened state and unlikely to think about the wording you use and the meanings attached to those words by DWP assessors.

JonSnowsWife · 27/10/2017 13:03

Someone I know who suffers severe long term depression (20+ years) was asked why she hadn't committed suicide!

Yes. Horrible I know but not unusual to ask a person who suffers from MH probs this.

Of course they shouldn't be allowed to because of the trigger risk but you know, PIP 'innit' ? Sad

User843022 · 27/10/2017 13:12

'Horrible I know but not unusual to ask a person who suffers from MH probs this.'
I can't believe anyone would think to ask it.

I do wonder how much the cost of countless tribunals balances out with the money 'saved' from underscoring people. Judges and doctors won't come cheap.

My friends brain op has left her unable to speak but she only got points for unable to communicate with complex communication nothing for basic even though she needs someone with her all the time to speak as an advocate. She can't engage socially now without help, but the assessor decided as she'd attended the compulsory assessment (with me as an advocate) she could. Arseholes.

JonSnowsWife · 27/10/2017 13:14

And PIP is purposely harder to get than DLA. That is the point, to reduce who gets it.

Exactly @brasty

JonSnowsWife · 27/10/2017 13:17

MyrtleMaracas I know sorry, I meant it's not an unusual question for the assessors to ask.

There's a big campaign at the moment by people who work tirelessly behind the scenes (DPAC for example) who have asked the Government to release the format they use for questions. (such as the 'claimant didnt rock' one in ESA which is preposterous). Oddly they're reluctant to release it...

JonSnowsWife · 27/10/2017 13:19

There isn't a time limit whywont the Tribunals are backed up to the hilt with appeals.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 27/10/2017 13:32

Thank you jon that's helpful to know