Been denied PIP

[DramaticAnonymousOverthinker]

I know people with the same disability who who have enhanced pip. I am diagnosed too. It has been hard to face the fact that my life is so difficult.
I spent time reading the criteria and understanding it to make sure that I’m entitled to it. I then filled the form out in a careful way to explain my struggles according to the criteria which took a while. Waited ages and was feeling hopeful about the letter that came through the door to feel my heart sink as the claim had been denied. Their reasoning didn’t even make sense.
i can’t get over the fact that a real person sat down and read my claim and then denied me the benefits I’m entitled to. I have submitted a reconsideration, which I can only assume is likely to go to tribunal with the way things are going. I am going all this time without the extra money that would improve my quality of life. I would love to complain and be compensated for the distress and issues this has all caused me, but they have conveniently listed that you can only complain about certain things on their website.

Have you had an assessment or was it rejected from the start?

Did you submit the evidence with your claim? Ie doctors letter, prescriptions etc? I found that sorting the clinic letters etc took the longest time. The more evidence you have the better.

I’ve had pip before but it was time for another assessment. I have loads of proof, their reason made no sense but they wrote it in a way to make it look like it made sense. They just know how long people wait to get a response to their claim know how difficult it is for disabled people and still deny me

I have my telephone assessment tomorrow and I am dreading it.

I've read on here lots of posters who were denied the first time but then after mandatory reconsideration they were awarded. Its awful what they put you through.

Was yours a renewal and not an initial

If you sent on the supporting medical evidence and filled your form out carefully all you can do is appeal. It's not the diagnosis that gets you PIP it's how it affects everyday functioning. I'm sure you know that.

And if you are awarded it on review then I believe it will be backdated to your original application.

good luck.

You need to ask for a mandatory reconsideration: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration-pip/

Depending on what condition you have, there may be a support group/charity to support you with this or otherwise citizens advice may be helpful.

It’s not unusual to be declined then for this to be overturned at mandatory reconsideration or tribunal.

They are a joke. My friends husband hasn't worked due to lll health for years. It was his GP they told them to apply so he did and was rejected. She went to the advice shop and it went to a tribunal. It was stressful, her hubby could barely walk into the court. A rep from PIP was there over video a doctor and a judge. He was actually awarded both parts of PIP. They couldn't believe it. The guy from PIP was so apologetic as my friend hubby couldn't even lift a glass or drink without a straw. She did say however some of the questions were really degrading xxx

It's really difficult to comment with so little information. If you have medical information attached to your application it helps hugely. Has your condition improved?

Was it a review OP? So you had PIP until recently and this was a review after so long?

What sort of assessment did you have for your renewal, OP?

As PP says - get your MR done as soon as possible. It's been linked above for you.

Ideally get your medical records - request them under a subject accès to records/ GDPR from your surgery. You'll need to put the request in writing. Because it's data the NHS holds on you it's free. I would suggest they go back to at least 3 months before the date on your review. It takes a while to obtain them so don't wait for them and delay submitting your MR request. You can send them as soon as you get them.

DWP are a bunch of fucking wankers, so don't let the shit decision grind you down.

If you get turned down at MR stage. Do not hesitate to submit an appeal request immediately. If you need to appeal, do contact your local Welfare Rights service or Unemployed Workers Centre, immediately. They can provide free representation.

And yes the questions are intrusive and degrading to be honest. What I don't understand is why it is time limited with serious, incurable physical illnesses. It's bonkers. I can understand with things like mental health conditions which can hopefully improve. But incurable physical / neurological conditions? It's such a waste of money reassessing people.

I’m so sorry this has happened. Is there a local charity that can help you prepare for a tribunal if the reconsideration doesn’t give you a pip award?

As others have said all you can do is submit an MR. I just don't understand how they make their decisions a lot of the time.
I have been helping someone as part of my job. Their main problem was pain on mobilising/ joint problems. They got awarded enhanced daily living but no mobility at all, lots of evidence sent etc. It's just baffling the decisions they come to.

@DramaticAnonymousOverthinker I am hoping this will help you, this lady on TikTok has had insider information from PIP assessors etc and has a whole host of videos on the complete lack of qualifications of the assessors and people who decide. This is a link to her, but it shows how corrupt the whole system is and how it lets down the people who need it most. She mainly concentrates on ADHD but the link below covers all medical conditions. Don't forget that a professional with God alone knows how many years training has assessed you and diagnosed you. Assessors sent to your home are usually health care but with no specific training in your medical condition. Hopefully Chantelle can provide some needed info on how to help yourself.

https://www.tiktok.com/@adhdcareerwoman/video/7260134837854506267

Appeal appeal appeal.

Go for MR. Chances are, DWP may not even bother to look at the MR and give the same crap reason for refusing. Be prepared to appeal to the Tribunal. Don't give up. That is what the DWP want you to do, even though you are already vulnerable and crushed by the refusal. They are f__kers, no other way to describe it.

You have more than a 50% chance of succeeding at appeal. The only way to get out of the DWP's clutches is to go to the Tribunal. The Tribunal does not have quotas or politics. The Tribunal is objective and the panel will listen to you and consider all of your evidence (in accordance with the criteria). Make sure you speak to a PIP advisor who will help you to write the appeal.

My dd finally got PIP. She was rejected by the Assessor and DWP twice and had to appeal to the Tribunal. DWP made an offer and settled just before it got to the Tribunal. They knew they would lose on appeal. Dd got the enhanced award in the end but the DWP make you sweat for it.

@JuneBeWonderful but the diagnosis / a name of the condition is irrelevant. It won't get you PIP. What does get you PIP is how the condition impacts you and how this fits with the criteria (regulations).

The Judge, Medical Member and Disability Qualified Member in a tribunal won't be 'qualified' in a health condition. I'm a Welfare Rights Officer and just represent in tribunals - I have no medical qualifications. I've won all my cases (apart from a handful - most of which I then won through challenge). What is important and relevant is that we all understand the regs.

The Health Care Professionals (HCP) who work for either ATOS or IS (the companies who carry out the PIP assessments) are qualified. Paramedics, Physios, Nurses - I've seen all sorts. The Decision Makers at DWP do not have medical qualifications - but as with my profession, the judiciary and other tribunal members it is an irrelevance. We all must understand the law and caselaw, then apply this.

Part of the problem is it is exceedingly blooming complicated. Starting at the form filling stage. Unless you understand the regs, (and as a lay person why should you?) you will likely fail. It's not unusual for someone in receipt of PIP to not understand either (why should they?)... hence it going tits up at review stage, as has happened here.

The best advice I or anyone else could give is - ALWAYS challenge. But get professional advice from the get go (form filling stage). As per organisations I listed above. Don't waste your time looking at random TikTok stuff or any other stuff on the internet. It'll just cause unnecessary confusion and feelings of being increasingly overwhelmed. It took me the best part of two months intensive training to understand PIP (to appeals level) and I'm still learning.

@perpetuallybusy I have 2 sister-in-laws who qualify for PIP and get it. That is how I know about the lady above because they talked about her.

The person I linked is not some random person on TikTok, she supports people claiming PIP for ADHD etc and has a whistleblower from within PIP who have provided her with all the assessment documents, basically the assessor's guide on what to ask and why you ask it etc because that whistleblower believes the system is unfair. She shows the documents on her channel.

The assessors are not usually qualified in the medical condition they are assessing someone for. Nurses, paramedics are trained to a particular level necessary for that role but despite this they are overruling specialist consultants diagnoses, professionals who have usually seen you for more time than the assessor appointment. This is why the system is fucked. Knowing from the start how to approach it is best. I was trying to be helpful. I am aware TikTok is full of shit but there are some amazing people on it sharing their insight. Chantelle is one of them. She has the CIR (condition insight reports for different conditions)

So sorry you have to go through this. The system is archaic and the awards are arbitrary and unfair. It needs a total overhaul.
Request a mandatory reconsideration and if not successful appeal.
I have been through the system with my son who is non verbal, has autism, severe learning difficulties. I had to travel 30 miles to attend a tribunal on his behalf. When I arrived a kindly chap met me at the door and said 'don't bother taking your coat off!" The tribunal panel were furious that I had to appeal and made a formal complaint to the DWP (who hadn't sent a representative). It was such a horrible stressful time. He was given a life time award.

I

To help me with the forms for my dd, I used a PIP advisor (volunteer) from my local council. Do not take advice from the DWP hotline. In fact, try not to say anything to the DWP on their contact lines other than to ask for forms and dates. Go on the basis that anything you say to the DWP will be recorded, twisted around and used against you.

The PIP advisor can only do so much and give high level advice. If you can, get your hands dirty to tailor what you say so that it fits the PIP criteria. You know your condition best. It is hard going, I won't deny.

The Citizens Advice Bureau website is good but again, quite general. But what was really helpful was a link which was posted by another mntter to the Benefits and Work Guides for PIP:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip

It tells you exactly how to challenge a PIP decision at Mandatory Reconsideration and Appeal for each of the criteria and the grounds for appeal. It even gives sample script for a wide range of health conditions: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Anxiety & depression; Schizophrenia; Mobility problems; Fibromyalgia; Anxiety disorder, depression & agoraphobia and Osteoarthritis & obesity. It gives the best possible ways to challenge a PIP medical report.

The site charges a subscription fee of about 19.95 but is the best 19.95 I spent as it finally got Dd her enhanced award PIP when she would only thought she would get a basic award at best. I don't work for them, promise.

Stage one - don’t take it personally. The system sucks it’s not fit for purpose. Some people will get through first time who you think how an earth? Others will get zero points and get over 40 at appeal.

Stage two - be up for the fight. It can take years but if you believe you met the criteria. Then going to appeal and tribunal can and does over turn the wrong answers. It will be life changing in the long run. You are not a person to the DWP just a number. I found you fit as you watch TV or walk a dog (even if you don’t have a dog) are some of the answers I’ve heard off.

Keep gathering evidence and support if you need. When you do win it will be a great F you to the DWP

@Lorrymum Had a similar experience having to go to Tribunal for my autistic son. DWP couldn't explain their reasoning, they had either not read the reports I sent or ignored them instead accepted a physio's assessment as him having no needs because he could subtract 7 from 100. Numbers have always been an obsession, he could probably have done that at 3 tbf but he grasped on that completely ignoring he couldn't answer any other question. Panel were hugely critical of DWP, he too has an indefinite award.

We're you awarded any points at all ?

I was awarded 0 points from dwp at both assessment and mandatory reconsideration

I did take mine to court which was a virtual hearing so I did not have to travel

court awarded me both care and mobility

it is stressful but worth progressing if you believe you are entitled (I did no believe and was ready to pull out cos of the stress but everyone around me convince me to carry on cos they can see how much I struggle)

If youve been denied how soon did u find out ? X