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.

It isn't based on diagnosis, it's whether you get enough points/how your condition affect you. Me and my BF both have Schizophrenia, he gets Enhanced on both components because medication doesn't work and he can't look after himself properly but I'm not eligible because my condition is effectively controlled with medication. We both have identical diagnosis but different PIP decisions, which is fair since I don't fit the descriptors. Some people at his mental health group think since he gets it, they should get it as well or that since they can't get it he must be a fraudster.

The same applies to physical health problems/disabilities 5 people could have identical conditions and only 1-2 may qualify.

@Kerrybemmy oo i see , wel i
hope i hear soon. How long did it take for you to get a decision?

i have a family member that gets sectioned every year. Sometimes 2 times, when they stop taking their meds. They also have the same diagnosis as yourself. So they would be eligible? X

He sounds similar to mine, I’m dreading it although we still have few years left on dla. Ds can come across as very intelligent (which he is) but he’s completely useless in everyday life and needs support. He’s at a special school and has an ehcp so that’s evidence at the minute but when they leave education there is no supporting evidence for autism, we were discharged form nhs when he was diagnosed age 6

Have a look at Fightback4justice. They are a non profit group who help with benefits and have over 90% success rate with PIP. It costs £4.99-£11.99 depending on what initial help you need and if you actually need someone to be with you at an appeal there is a further charge but from what I have heard this is well worth it.

This is really routine I’m afraid. Submit a mandatory reconsideration and get support with it. Absolutely stick to the descriptors when describing your issues, there’s great online info on this.

You may well need to go to tribunal. Again get support; citizens advice or ideally a charity that supports your condition (as they will understand the specific issues).

It feels it but it isn’t personal, it’s just a system that gets what it’s designed to do (which, in my view, isnt always to support people who need support).

I've read last year when I applied for my mum that they often decline it now and then you need to appeal.

OP you need to follow the appeal process up to the tribunal stage if necessary.

Unfortunately the DWP has a track record of rejecting perfectly valid PIP claims hoping that people will just give up. It is an awful, outdated system.

Don't give up. People being awarded PIP on appeal has a high rate.

Also it does not make sense that if you were receiving the award before you are now being rejected. Unless your condition has magically disappeared/improved you have a very good case to try to overturn this.

I really hope whatever government we have next takes a good look at how people with disabilities and long term conditions are treated...

I was awarded PIP after taking it all the way to the tribunal stage.

The person who did my initial assessment wrote a report that was completely inaccurate and did not reflect what I had said. It made so angry at the time that I was determined to appeal. They also claimed to have lost my application form and I had to complete another one (then they said they had located the first form 3 months later...) and later on that I had not sent additional evidence on time until I showed them that I had proof of posting.

I just had my 3 year review and I am really nervous about it. I will appeal if necessary.

Gosh this all makes scary reading.
I remember years ago, supporting clients with PIP forms and many were rejected initially. Then came MR and the decision was usually overturned.

I'm contemplating claiming PIP for a condition which requires me to take daily medication. The side effects are grim right now. I'm going to ask the benefits advisors at the Maggies centre, to help me fill out the form
I think.

Whilst they say that PIP is not based on a diagnosis, I do think that they are a lot more likely to award for a cancer diagnosis. PIP is for the extra costs that a disability brings and with cancer there is often so many extra costs like numerous hospital appointments and Oncology centres can often be some distance away, feeling the cold a lot and not being able to get out. Having worked as a Macmillan Benefits advisor for cancer patients and now working for a different charity ( non cancer) I can honestly say it was so much easier to get it awarded for cancer. There were some who had to take it to tribunal but like you say side effects of treatment are often so debilitating that it likely will be awarded. I had one cancer patient awarded enhanced rates for both recently and didn't even have to go for an assessment ( was not awarded under special rules )

It's just hard. The guidelines the assessors can award you points is getting tighter. You have to meet the strict guidelines on every question to be awarded points.

I don't think the way they assess for points or the guidelines are inclusive or helpful. It's a very rigid yes or no.

So I'd say, don't shoot the assessor but do ask for mandatory reconsideration after ringing and asking for a copy of the report.

If mandatory reconsideration fails to award the extra points then go further to appeal.

At appeal you'll be able to speak to a doctor and another qualified person about why you feel you'd qualify for pip. They can override the points and award you PIP.

It's a horrible process, designed I think, in its current state, to take disability benefit off the most vulnerable.

You can also ask various charities to accompany you to appeal tribunal should you need.

It's also worth looking at and understanding the descriptors in each section and how points are allocated.

Wishing you all the best. Don't give up. This is the first hurdle.

@Babyroobs Yes, I'm going to go to Maggies to see if they can help with a PIP claim.

The side effects of the drugs are tough, Christie Hospital is an hour from where I live, then there's endless blood tests, ECGs, scans, it's just relentless. Today, well I feel so horrid, maybe the cancer is preferable!

Don't give up OP. We will get there there!

@Babyroobs thanks again for being so helpful and enlightening with it all.

My BF had a decision in 7 months, I waited 3 months. Like I said Schizophrenia in itself doesn't guarantee an award, it depends how well you can look after yourself. My BF gets it because he doesn't wash, bath, dress himself without me helping him, he also can't engage with other people without threatening them and has been beaten up many times, has to have a social worker with him when he goes out. In my opinion he should be hospitalised but there are no beds. Also important is the relevant descriptors need to affect you more than 50% of the time.

PIP is notoriously hard to get, the descriptors are very specifically designed around people with severe physical difficulties or people who are mentally and physically very poorly

@Kerrybemmy
That situation with your BF sounds incredibly tough. Does he need a SW, EVERY time he goes out? How do you both manage, living with the same condition? I'm glad you both get PIP.