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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:
Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:26

Well no doubt the DWP monitor these things…

LadyKenya · 04/05/2023 15:37

Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:26

Well no doubt the DWP monitor these things…

Do they really? I doubt it. They seem to struggle to do what they are meant to, in the first place.

Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:38

LadyKenya · 04/05/2023 15:37

Do they really? I doubt it. They seem to struggle to do what they are meant to, in the first place.

Show quote history

I don’t know, you do hear of them carrying out surveillance tactics from time to time

LadyKenya · 04/05/2023 15:44

Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:38

I don’t know, you do hear of them carrying out surveillance tactics from time to time

Show quote history

Yes, and from my limited understanding, it is them acting on a tip off. Normally from someone who knows that a person is getting xyz, and has a notion that they somehow are defrauding the system, because they could walk a bit, or they are able to work.

Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:46

Yes well that’s what I mean

reluctantlogin · 04/05/2023 15:46

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

I am glad you are somewhat improved although not well. I am sorry that you have gone through this.
You have not told them you have returned to work, you have implied that you have an ongoing relationship with a support worker (who you say has left the service so is no longer your support worker), you are presumably no longer under the care of your early prevention team . So your situation has changed. There are many people who struggle to get PIP. Honesty is the best policy. If you shared the full facts you may or may not have got PIP _ we don't know and neither do you.
There is only so much in the pot.

LadyKenya · 04/05/2023 15:47

Julen7 · 04/05/2023 15:46

Yes well that’s what I mean

Oh, okay.

reluctantlogin · 04/05/2023 15:49

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.

PIP is awarded not for a diagnosis but for the effect of a disability or health condition on how you can carry out daily living activities and mobilise and plan journeys.

Hell121 · 04/05/2023 15:50

If you were prepared to lose it you mustn’t need it and I find your actions pretty reprehensible but clearly you give no shits. So glad I’m not paying my taxes into this system much longer.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 04/05/2023 15:55

@Hell121 I was prepared to lose it as I simply could not face completing the form or facing an appeal. It's not about not giving a shit, it's about not feeling able!

But frankly, I am giving up trying to explain. Some MN's are just determined to make me out to something I'm not. Fair enough, I posted on a public forum and everyone is allowed an opinion... even if I feel its wrong

OP posts:
jabbajabbafunday · 04/05/2023 17:08

@hairyunicorn
people are basing their responses on the info you put in your OP where you says you were much better now but put "no change" on your form. Based on that info alone it seems like you have lied for whatever reason. You then backpedaled and added extra info, but if you go by your original info it doesn't look great I'm afraid.

nirbil · 04/05/2023 17:37

But frankly, I am giving up trying to explain. Some MN's are just determined to make me out to something I'm not.

This is so weird. We all posted based on what you said. You said you were much better but said no change on the form. That’s lying. It’s no surprise people are saying it, it’s blatant.

ManyRiversToCross · 05/05/2023 10:17

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.

If you'd read the post more carefully or used your inference skills, you'd have seen he doesn't spend his benefits because he never goes anywhere or does anything - which is why he's about as far from a typical 22 year old as possible. He spends all day every day in his room. He has one pair of shoes - doesn't need any more, according to him, because he only has one pair of feet. His phone is 7 years old but as it still works he sees no point in upgrading. He never uses it anyway. His laptop is 6 years old, but it works too, so he can't see why he might want a newer model. He doesn't go out socialising or on any courses or anything. We are trying to get him to take up some kind of sport, but you can't force him to do anything. He also refuses to use online banking which makes paying for services very tricky.

It is a problem because, whilst the pip is not means tested, his LCWRA benefits are, and he's in danger of losing them. He's only been getting benefits since October and he now has 8k in his account.

This is obviously not a situation most people on benefits find themselves in, I am by no means suggesting that everyone on benefits is awash with money!! but as DS lives with us he doesn't pay for food, energy etc. And he doesn't care about stuff or want anything. He does pay rent, 200 a month.

vivainsomnia · 05/05/2023 12:35

It sounds 6iu were surprised they took your words for it and didn't challenge it asking for more information.

You were doubting you would still be eligible if they had.

This is why it's laughable when people say PIP fraud is very low. It's low because they don't have the resources to heck everyone's information.

In the end OP, the situation is black or white. You either are a but better, which is great, which means that your circumstances HAVE changed, or your not. It can't be a bit of both.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 05/05/2023 12:41

@vivainsomnia they took my doctor's notes and my very extensive medical history as well as my comments.

I was doubting the PIP being renewed because of all the stories I have heard not because I am miraculously better and no longer suffer. But carry on, you clearly know the ins and out of my case and are able to detect fraud.

OP posts:
nirbil · 05/05/2023 12:44

I was doubting the PIP being renewed because of all the stories I have heard not because I am miraculously better and no longer suffer.

That's not what you said in your OP.

Honestly you should probably just give up on the thread now. Nobody believes you.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 05/05/2023 12:53

@nirbil

Mental Health is up and down, sometimes in the same day! It not as easy as 'now I'm better' though I wish it was that easy!

you can choose not to believe me, frankly I don't care.

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons77 · 05/05/2023 13:20

OP I believe you, I also have a similar condition to yours. It sounds like you were quite clear in your application and also you are only claiming for the standard PIP not the enhanced one?

I'm due a review of mine next year and already worrying about it as not having as much MH support as previously.

Try not to worry I'm sure all is fine and ignore some of the ableist comments. Best of luck

Orangesandlemons77 · 05/05/2023 13:22

I am guessing you are still on antipsychotics as well as probably antidepressants?

the thing is that although some of the psychosis symptoms can improve such as paranoia, delusions etc some of the less apparent symptoms can still be there along with the side effects of the drugs which can affect you in everyday life.

LadyKenya · 05/05/2023 13:29

It is not a question of claiming for standard, or enhanced pip. You just apply, and see what you are awarded, if anything. The mobility part will not apply for everybody, obviously.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 05/05/2023 14:15

@Orangesandlemons77 Thank you!! I really appreciate your posts and wish you the best of luck with your review.

You are correct, I am still on antipsychotics and antidepressants with all the joys they bring, and by 'much better' I mean I am no longer being escorted to A&E for MH evaluations as was happening last year (after my 1st PIP application).

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons77 · 05/05/2023 14:31

Yes I have kind of the same situation. At least PIP seem to take antipsychotics etc quite seriously I have found. Sometimes. Best of luck

Ted27 · 05/05/2023 15:43

My son receives PIP, about 75% of the actual questions do not apply to him - he is not physically unwell, does not take medications, does not need help managing finances (rent and bills) because he was 16 when first applied, and lives with me, does not need help dressing, washing, toileting etc etc.
He was awarded PIP primarily on the basis of the evidence provided on the Any Additional Information section.
When I renewed when he was 18, I could very easily have said no change from previous application for all of those questions. As it was I either answered not applicable or left it blank. The key element was in the additional info section.

The ops situation sounds similar to me.

Lavenderheys · 05/05/2023 15:48

You’ve lied and committed fraud. How can you think that’s ok. You can never be anything other than completely honest in these processes. I would update them that you’ve improved and are back at work if I were you.

Original poster
hairyunicorn · 05/05/2023 16:30

@Lavenderheys I don't need to update them, as I have said. when I first applied I was working full time, now I'm working part time. PIP is not means-tested, I am allowed to work while claiming. If anything i would need to update them that my hours are now reduced.

But don't let facts stop your narrative 🙄

OP posts: