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Original poster

PIP, No assessment

81 replies

hairyunicorn · 03/05/2023 15:42

I applied for PIP at the beginning of lockdown due to a psychotic episode which led to a mental breakdown. I was under the care of my LA's early prevention team and my social worker helped me complete the form.

I was awarded low-rate care with no mobility (which I was very grateful for). Roll on 2 years later, I am much better but still experiencing issues. I have managed to get back to work but I still have mental health issues that affect me daily.

I was asked to reapply for PIP after 2 years, I did not feel up to completing the form again, so just put 'no change' to all the questions and gave them the name of my social worker (who has now left the service). Fully expecting them to withdraw the PIP

I CAN NOT believe it, I just got a letter in the post saying my award will continue for the next 2 years, no assessment, they clearly never contacted my social worker, nothing. I am in shock but grateful.

Has this happened to anyone else? I was fully prepared to lose it due to getting a little better but No another 2 years. I'm in shock

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 03/05/2023 18:47

thebestsellingshow · 03/05/2023 17:34

I was fully prepared for my dc to not be entitled when moving to PIP but they were awarded at a similar rate to the DLA and for 7 years! DLA was always 2. I was completely shocked but relieved not to have to fight it. The assessment was over the phone with me as appointee and the assessor was really understanding. I think sometimes it's the luck of the desk it lands on unfortunately for many.

This. It really does seem to depend on the person who deals with any case, as to the outcome. The system is not infallible.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 10:57

@SchoolTripDrama I returned my forms in Jan this year. Good luck with your application.

OP posts:
Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:02

@thebestsellingshow Really glad to hear your LO has been awarded without the fight.

I simply didn't have any fight left in me, hence me putting 'no change' for most of my answers. I was fully prepared to lose the benefit and def. was not up for going through an appeal.

@LadyKenya Agree with what you have said. seems to depend on the person you get to asses your case

OP posts:
berksandbeyond · 04/05/2023 11:05

What in the Jeremy Kyle? Lovely benefit fraud for a Thursday morning, congrats

Lavenderflower · 04/05/2023 11:19

This sounds correct. I cannot comment on your specific circumstances. However, most psychotic illness are generally considered long term and people often have re-occurring episodes. So whilst a person circumstance may change, their diagnosis doesn't change.

FrownedUpon · 04/05/2023 11:28

That’s fraud though. You’re getting better, but you put ‘no change.’ You shouldn’t be taking that money should you?

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:31

@Lavenderflower Thank you for your understanding!!

This illness has affected me deeply, I have re-occurring episodes (weekly) and because I have managed to scrap some of my life back together and get a p/t job I apparently am committing fraud, even though I was working F/T when I first applied. I would love to swap my life with some of these posters and see if they would like to go through the hell I have been dealing with for the past 3 years.

I submitted all of my paperwork from my doctors and that clearly was enough to prove the illness I have.

OP posts:
Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:35

@FrownedUpon the paperwork from my doctor clearly states my illness and how I am coping, PIP clearly took this as all the evidence they needed as well as my comments on the form.

This is long-term, some days I'm okay and many, many days I am NOT, I wish it was as simple as 'i'm getting better' but it's not!

OP posts:
Tarantullah · 04/05/2023 11:36

No one is saying you aren't still unwell and shouldn't be entitled to it still though, they're correctly saying that putting 'no change' when there has been is fraud. Chances are you'd have been awarded it again anyway, but by omitting this information you have the worry of them finding out which I can't imagine is overly beneficial to your MH.

Its also doesn't mean that the system doesn't still screw people over, it's great you're still receiving it without jumping through hoops, it's how it should be for most people.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:40

@Tarantullah when i first applied i was working full-time, this had no impact on my application. I lost that job due to my mental health and now I'm working part-time. where is the fraud?

I working less than I was when I first applied. Also PIP is not means-tested so has nothing to do with me having a job or not. I am currently working less than when I first applied.

OP posts:
Tarantullah · 04/05/2023 11:47

hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:40

@Tarantullah when i first applied i was working full-time, this had no impact on my application. I lost that job due to my mental health and now I'm working part-time. where is the fraud?

I working less than I was when I first applied. Also PIP is not means-tested so has nothing to do with me having a job or not. I am currently working less than when I first applied.

I know it's not means tested, ability to work is taken into consideration and change of this status is considered a change of circumstance that should be reported. If you're working less because of it then you could have been eligible for a higher rate. Not declaring changes is fraud whether they benefit or disadvantage an application. You've said no change as you couldn't face the form (understandable) but doesn't mean it shouldn't have been considered. Too late now it's not like they'll ever follow it up I'm sure.

Tarantullah · 04/05/2023 11:49

By the way I'm not bothered, but maybe when starting a thread to say how fine the system is when lots struggle isn't the best when this is probably largely due to you saying no change when there has been rather than the system being fair (which it isn't).

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 11:51

@Tarantullah I absolutely agree with you. the system is not fair at all.

OP posts:
ExhaustedPigwidgeon · 04/05/2023 11:55

Surely people not being truthful on their forms is the part of the reason why it’s so difficult to claim PIP?

I don’t know why you’re surprised to get this response when you wrote your OP the way you did

Sweetladyjane · 04/05/2023 11:59

I didn’t have to have an assessment when mine was renewed as I had over 100 pages of care plans from the mental health team.

TheShellBeach · 04/05/2023 12:07

CaloriecountMay2023 · 03/05/2023 15:58

Did you tell them you had returned to work? I would be worried as omitting this could be seen as fraud.

This isn't fraud.
You can get PIP and work full time.

OneFrenchEgg · 04/05/2023 14:43

What a weird thread.
Someone celebrating getting an award based on reporting 'no change' and actually being 'much better'. Someone else complaining their problem is so much in disability benefits they can't spend it all.
It's almost like propaganda.

Trez1510 · 04/05/2023 14:51

Anyone else noticed what I have?

The OP's narrative has changed from 'answered all questions - no change' to 'hence me putting 'no change' for most of my answers.'

Obviously, both of these statements cannot be correct.

I wonder which, if either, is true. 🙄

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 14:57

@Trez1510 go and pick apart someone else thread.

Just for you. None of it's true. made it all up 🙄

OP posts:
DRS1970 · 04/05/2023 14:57

So basically you are admitting to fraudulently putting no change when you know there has been positive change...

FrownedUpon · 04/05/2023 15:00

DRS1970 · 04/05/2023 14:57

So basically you are admitting to fraudulently putting no change when you know there has been positive change...

Exactly. I’d be embarrassed if I was the OP, not flaunting my lies.

Trez1510 · 04/05/2023 15:01

hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 14:57

@Trez1510 go and pick apart someone else thread.

Just for you. None of it's true. made it all up 🙄

No. <- Full sentence. 👍

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 15:01

I included my up todate doctor's notes and letters. Clearly, they saw the evidence and based their award on that.

@DRS1970 But clearly some of you on MN know better than the assessors and my own doctors 🙄

OP posts:
SittingOnTheChair · 04/05/2023 15:15

Think you should see this from other people point of view OP.

You started a thread seemingly boasting that you couldn't be bothered filling out the form correctly so just put no change, and then was surprised you were awarded PIP.

I'm not suprised at the opinions of others.

Fwiw you should have put that you lost your full time job due to your MH and can only now work part time. You may have got the higher award.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 15:18

@SittingOnTheChair I was not boasting...
But maybe could have put my work situation in my first post

OP posts:
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