Family member awarded enhanced pip - AIBU?

[Orangecrocs]

My family member has just been awarded enhanced pip in both living and mobility components.
Shes told me that she’s twisted the truth during the assessment and told the assessor that she has lots of pain and can’t really walk at all, but she walks all the time as I see her out and about - we live in a hilly area. I know people who are in a wheelchair and struggle to get enhanced rate - so I really don’t understand how she’s managed this.
I know people will say mind your own business but she’s told me she’s actually lied to them.

Shameful of her and this is why the country is on its knees, hand outs for those who don't need them.

Did she fake the medical information to back up her claim as well?

If she has actually lied then you should report her.

I am going through the process at the moment and they ask for access to your medical records and you are expected to supply a lot of medical evidence.

How far have you actually seen her walk?

It is shameful if true BUT I listened in on my mum's phonecalls and somethings I noticed were that she would too often try to describe her best day, not her worst. She would often underestimate how many of the 'worst' days she has and would over estimate what she could achieve in a day (she does this is real life too and exhausts herself).

If you asked her, she might even joke about over egging the truth to the assessor because she probably genuinely feels like she did - but in reality she didn't. She just feels like she did because she is so keen to put a positive spin on her current siutation and abilities and because it's downright painful for her to think about how much she cannot do for herself day to day.

I heard those phone calls and she lives with me. I know what she can and cannot do each day. She didn't lie and in some cases I don't think she properly represented how hard she has it. I also saw the tears on her face after the calls were finished because, for a little while there, she was forced to look her disability morre or less in the eye and it grieves her.

PIP isn’t all about mobility or pain .. my daughter has ASD and gets in, she can walk fine

I have a friend who’s wife is the same, told them she can’t move, can hardly walk, she does have a wfh job very good pay, husband good pay and they now get enhanced pip as he is her supposed carer and she’s in the pits with all this pain lol lol but somehow she can manage to go to theme parks and in all the rides, holidays, jumping off boats, hot air balloon you name it!!!!!

The thing with PIP at the moment is that, in theory, you don’t actually need any diagnosis or medical evidence…..they very rarely contact your GP …..it’s all based on what you tell them you can and can’t do, with regard to the descriptors…..they either go with what you are telling them or don’t……I have medical evidence but lots don’t….there are changes afoot,these will likely be made public at the November Autumn Statement …..there’s talk of the need for a medical diagnosis and medical evidence ……and stopping a cash handout , instead providing free services ….who knows 🤷‍♀️…..but guessing it will be harder to claim for some….I’m just hoping they leave me alone until my current award runs out in 2027

She hasn’t been asked for any clinical evidence from her doctor.

I find this hard to believe. I supplied a lot of evidence some of which I was told was rubbish. Quite why my medically trained doctor and consultant would like with the test results and years of appointments from various specialists is beyond me. (They absolutely weren't lying)

She regularly walks 30 mins each way into town and back and there’s a very steep climb as part of that.

She did actually say to me. She’s told them she’s got ‘X’ but they don’t actually check with some illnesses as they can’t be Proven.

Oh good. Another disability benefits bashing thread.

If that's true she had an exceptionally lenient assessor. I've supported people through the PIP process and it can be a nightmare to prove your disability.

Also, are you saying she isn't disabled at all, or just that she has exaggerated her condition? Because the standard advice is to describe your worst day. Does she never experience this level of pain?

Using a wheelchair is not that relevant, that's only a small component of eligibility. Someone who uses a wheelchair but is independent in daily living might well not qualify m

There was a report recently that said PIP fraud was so close to zero it could be described as zero.

In reality, plenty of people are exaggerating symptoms, just like your family member.

The problem is, people with very valid claims are having theirs refused. It’s a very messy and expensive problem but it’s got to be sorted.

PIP isn't awarded on the basis of particular conditions. It is awarded on the basis of how a person is affected day to day.

I have not yet had my assessment for PIP.

However I had my assessment for ESA and the person doing it could clearly see all my medical records as she mentioned a couple of diagnoses I'd forgotten to put on the form.

In reality, plenty of people are exaggerating symptoms, just like your family member

Do you have any evidence to back this up?

Ah, a first time poster. No point engaging.

PIP assessment is not the same

Doesn’t seem to be a disability benefits bashing thread. Although those lying to get benefits deserve the bashing!

I dont believe it, you have to send medical evidence and its certainly not an easy benefit to claim.

Tbh there are so many who don’t get what they should be entitled to that I can’t get worked up about it. Mind your own business - maybe she’s lying to you to wind you up.

Im betting soon there will be an update that this relative performs cartwheels and backflips and has won a strong-woman competition.

Why do people always think every PIP claimant is 100% honest? There are plenty of dishonest people out there. I don’t know why some people find it so hard to believe that other people abuse the system.

Much as MN loves to defend Labour/Starmer and insist that all benefit claimants are 100% genuine, there are far too many of us who know people manipulating the system for it to be uncommon