I can’t cope with PIP Tribunal.

[Stressedafff]

I applied for PIP on December 24th 2021. Was declined and did a mandatory reconsideration which also was declined. I appealed to the tribunal on 1st July last year, was told 25 week wait. I’m appearing via phone due to agoraphobia and mental health conditions and I am dreading it. I’m still waiting on a date for tribunal, I phoned to enquire and was told they’d put it through to the listing team but nothings come of it. The thought of going through this is making me more unwell. I’m waking up in the night with panic attacks, vomiting and my hair is starting to fall out. I feel like withdrawing this appeal because it’s making me poorly. I don’t know what to do.

I did a paper appeal the first time after they took me off it with a paper assessment, back in 2016.

That was wierd as they didn't tell you when it would take place or where.

I just got the notice through in the post about the points etc

Which the DWP then said they 'lost'

Oh Btw your MP can be very helpful if they try anything like that.

I have also had the experience of DWP 'changing their mind' before the appeal was heard. This happened to be after my second re-assessment.

They had taken me off it again, at MR also, then when I filed an appeal online they rang me and actually said 'sorry' I was astounded.

They then reinstated and could even discuss it with them, it was for 5 yrs that time as they took into account my ESA ongoing award.

It can be very much worth appealing in my opinion.

It is sad that it is so easy for them to make mistakes and take it away though.

I've looked at my previous award letter, I've had pip 8 years now. I actually had 17 points and have gone to zero. It's so ridiculous that it feels like an error. I was really well prepped for the review call and stated what I had filled in and said the last time. I was really careful and read my replies off my notes. The report I've been sent bears no resemblance to my needs and illness at all. She's decided my mobility is fine by phone despite me having a significant left sided weakness.

The whole thing is making me I'll I've barely slept and feel so teary. It's an awful system and really doesn't support people who are unwell. I was on hold 56mins to DWP yesterday.

Love to you all in this awful system,you aren't alone xxxxc

I have been through the appeals before, it is good that you have had previous points / PIP
Best of luck I'm sure it will be OK. I also have a one sided pain problem and weakness due to some nerve damage.

Do they do the appeals via phone or is it in person, please?

Please get yourself an advocate, as others have said there are charities who provide this. If you give up would that futher impact your wellbeing? As well as denying you the funds your entitled too.

It's horrible the stress they put people under. Even with the Paper appeal it was stressful.

@thebear1 do you know how I could find an advocate? I'm in Scotland. Thanks x

If you are in Scotland is it not the new ADP?

Get your anxiety under control - as someone who suffers from extreme anxiety due to a variety of neurological conditions, this makes me think murderous thoughts. Nobody sits in the corner, relishing anxiety, doing nothing about it.

OP, it's worth calling your local MIND in case they have a service (or can you refer you to one) for support through this process. I know that pre-COVID there was one in my area.

@Orangesandlemons77 still pip at the moment on the letter I received this week but I've read it is changing

@semideponent I'll speak to mind I've found them good in the past,thankyou

It's being migrated gradually over to ADP and the DWP will do it automatically for you

I'm in England so not sure about in Scotland.

Found this link though

www.siaa.org.uk/find-an-advocate/

Don’t give up, they rely on people giving up - I’ve known friends who mentally couldn’t deal with the appeals process even when the scores they were given were ludicrously inaccurate. It’s scary but Citizens Advice may be able to help? Just wanted you to know you’re not alone, and I’m sure the anxiety of it only helps your case (making someone with anxiety jump through such hoops is so cruel).

It's wrong isn't it. I just regard appeals as the real and more sensible decision makers now.

Please stick with it as you are likely to win and it will make a huge financial difference to you. The system us designed to make people give up which infuriates me. Don’t push yourself too hard and let your mum speak for you. The tribunal is independent and not there to catch you out ( which is what Pip seems to do).
Get as much support as you can and good luck. Please stick with it - its not just the money either, Pip is the key to a lot of other support too - blue badge etc.

@Stressedafff poor you the system is vile.

My esa has been stopped, no email no letter just no payment. I imagine this is because my pip has stopped.

Awful system I'm in touch with cab as not sure what I am meant to live on,I get a small NHS pension.

My mandatory reconsideration form is all ready to be posted I'm just getting cab to check it.

@Stressedafff please know I'm thinking of you and pm if you ever want to talk xx

There should not be a connection between your ESA and PIP
It may have been stopped for other reasons eg transfer to UC - you need to ring DWP and find out why it’s been stopped
Hope CAB can help in your area - if not I would see if your local council have a welfare rights department
As you say you are on a small NHS pension are you still in a union as they might be able to help too

If your ESA is contributions based and you are in the work related activity ( WRAG ) group then it would stop after 12 months.

But as previously said, your PIP stopping has no effect on ESA as they are seperate benefits and assess for different things.

One hour and twenty minutes on hold and my esa was not paid due to a clerical error uuurgh,big relief, now onto pip appeal I received the 'statement of reasons' from DWP today. It is absolutely riddled with inaccuracies basically I have no mobility probs because I don't have a physio,no mental health problems as I don't have a cpn, no difficulty cooking,medication as I don't use an aid. Hopefully make the appeal more straightforward x

Bah. They say similar things to everyone they knock back.
They told me I could walk easily for 200 yards, although they never actually saw me walk.
Good luck with your appeal. You're very likely to win it.

Yes, makes it easier to argue against.

How did you get into the assessment room? They use that walk to see how you walk