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Original poster

Help! My PIP assessor lied about everything!

166 replies

adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:01

Hi Please can someone give me some advice?
I submitted a PIP application after years of suffering from headaches, the assessor has given me 0 points for everything, even though I am not able to open my eyes or function for more than half of the week. I explained I am probably going to lose my job soon but they said I currently am holding down a job. They said I am able to drive, which is true, on the days I do not have a severe headache. I feel let down that the report provided to DWP is not a true reflection of what we discussed in the assessment. Is anyone else in this situation?
Thanks

OP posts:
WorriedMum231 · 22/12/2023 19:03

What’s causing your headaches? I guess you just appeal?

Davina69 · 22/12/2023 19:04

Ring and ask for a copy of the assessment report and then submit a mandatory reconsideration. If you have headaches they need to be for 51percent of the time and be so debilitating that you can't complete the descriptors. For advice look at Fightback4justice, they really know their stuff.

veggiepigs · 22/12/2023 19:06

Have you been assessed by a neurologist?

anxiousnanna · 22/12/2023 19:06

the majority of PIP assessments fail on zero points the first time round no matter what you put on the form. go for a mandatory reconsideration, you have 30 days to do this.

i got help from my local council to apply for pip.. i have chronic migraine, there is loads of help online to help fill these forms in and to tell the assessors what they need to know.

Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:10

Do you have medical evidence? Normally for PIP, they don’t take your word for it, they want to see a report by a doctor about your diagnosis and how it affects you.

TheShellBeach · 22/12/2023 19:10

Did you get help with completing the form?

If the PIP assessor lies (and most of them do) you need to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, then a Tribunal.

Have a look at this website:

https://www.benefitsandwork.org.uk

TheShellBeach · 22/12/2023 19:12

WorriedMum231 · 22/12/2023 19:03

What’s causing your headaches? I guess you just appeal?

It doesn't matter what's causing them.
It's how they affect her ability to complete the PIP descriptors.

WorriedMum231 · 22/12/2023 19:14

TheShellBeach · 22/12/2023 19:12

It doesn't matter what's causing them.
It's how they affect her ability to complete the PIP descriptors.

Edited
Show quote history

Well actually it does because doctor reports will support her applications.

shellyleppard · 22/12/2023 19:14

Then they ignore all the medical evidence and still score you zero points

Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:16

shellyleppard · 22/12/2023 19:14

Then they ignore all the medical evidence and still score you zero points

Yes, many PIP assessments are 0pts on principle of trying to keep disability claims down as a cost cutting exercise because DWP knows that less than 100% will appeal. But by MR or Tribunal they are forced to consider the medical evidence. It’s medical evidence that overturns the 0pt assessment and decision maker’s decision.

anxiousnanna · 22/12/2023 19:17

WorriedMum231 · 22/12/2023 19:14

Well actually it does because doctor reports will support her applications.

Show quote history

well you would hope so.... my PiP assessement said there was no evidence to suggest i had any neurological issues... even though i sent in my entire 25 year medical history!

Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:18

anxiousnanna · 22/12/2023 19:17

well you would hope so.... my PiP assessement said there was no evidence to suggest i had any neurological issues... even though i sent in my entire 25 year medical history!

Show quote history

They disregard anything older than 6 months prior to your PIP application or review so claimants with chronic disabling conditions need to get an updated report or summary from their consultant.

anxiousnanna · 22/12/2023 19:23

Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:18

They disregard anything older than 6 months prior to your PIP application or review so claimants with chronic disabling conditions need to get an updated report or summary from their consultant.

Edited
Show quote history

its ridiculous.. i have been diagnosed for 10 years. i no longer see my consultant, i simply apply for repeat prescriptions from my GP. my summery from my GP said neurological conditions... still scored zero points and still told there was no evidence.

Catsknowbest · 22/12/2023 19:24

It's really vital that you filled your form in on the basis of how your condition affects you, focussing on how it affects daily activities. If you feel the assessor completely went against your form and then all your answers during the actual assessment then you need to do a Mandatory Reconsideration within 30 days of the decision letter. Did you send supporting evidence with your form e.g. medical?

shellyleppard · 22/12/2023 19:25

Agree I had to go to court (tribunal) to get mine sorted out. Its crazy how they treat people

tescocreditcard · 22/12/2023 19:27

I think they are told to decline peoples applications for PIP.

Record the next meeting and if she lies again, report her to the Medical Council and show them that she's a liar.

Catsknowbest · 22/12/2023 19:28

TheShellBeach · 22/12/2023 19:10

Did you get help with completing the form?

If the PIP assessor lies (and most of them do) you need to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, then a Tribunal.

Have a look at this website:

https://www.benefitsandwork.org.uk

Yes they are an excellent resource

Catsknowbest · 22/12/2023 19:32

tescocreditcard · 22/12/2023 19:27

I think they are told to decline peoples applications for PIP.

Record the next meeting and if she lies again, report her to the Medical Council and show them that she's a liar.

It really doesn't work like that. They don't decline all applications. Yes the system is very flawed and many of the assessor they use are poor. But there won't be a "next meeting" it doesn't work that way. And reporting to medical council...trust me that won't work. Assessors are drawn from nurses, paramedics, not all are doctors and the system is in such a mess. Mandatory Reconsideration and picking apart the report is the only option.

Original poster
adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:39

WorriedMum231 · 22/12/2023 19:03

What’s causing your headaches? I guess you just appeal?

Hi they are migranes

OP posts:
Original poster
adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:41

veggiepigs · 22/12/2023 19:06

Have you been assessed by a neurologist?

Hi I was just sent for a headscan by neuro, was told just migraines

OP posts:
Original poster
adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:42

Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:10

Do you have medical evidence? Normally for PIP, they don’t take your word for it, they want to see a report by a doctor about your diagnosis and how it affects you.

Hi yes, I sent gp records, repeat medication, letters from work about how the condition effects me using a computer, adjustments I.e. extra breaks.

OP posts:
Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:44

anxiousnanna · 22/12/2023 19:23

its ridiculous.. i have been diagnosed for 10 years. i no longer see my consultant, i simply apply for repeat prescriptions from my GP. my summery from my GP said neurological conditions... still scored zero points and still told there was no evidence.

Show quote history

It is ridiculous, I completely agree. Can you pay the £50 or so for your GP to do a medical history report along with your current treatment and prognosis?

Original poster
adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:46

Catsknowbest · 22/12/2023 19:24

It's really vital that you filled your form in on the basis of how your condition affects you, focussing on how it affects daily activities. If you feel the assessor completely went against your form and then all your answers during the actual assessment then you need to do a Mandatory Reconsideration within 30 days of the decision letter. Did you send supporting evidence with your form e.g. medical?

Hi yes I thought I filled it out well. They used that against me, said I filled in the form myself. When actually I explained it took me weeks to complete the form, but that bit they failed to mention. I explained that more than half the week I can't eat or talk and for 1 day I can't move totally bedbound. But they said I can drive on the other 3 days, I can stand and walk more than 200 metres, I can cook on the other 3 days, I can work, even though I cried amd said I am losing my job.

OP posts:
Hellenika · 22/12/2023 19:47

adammylove · 22/12/2023 19:42

Hi yes, I sent gp records, repeat medication, letters from work about how the condition effects me using a computer, adjustments I.e. extra breaks.

Show quote history

That is a good start. Can you ask your GP to ask the neurologist for an updated letter that goes over the scan and states that your type of migraine condition is not one that has improved or is expected to improve within the next 3-4yrs (or whatever applies..if it will get worse they put that in). If the nuerologist can also summarise how debilitating your migraines are, that is very useful.

Babyroobs · 22/12/2023 19:51

They've had huge numbers more applications this year than normal so seem to be turning more and more down although as we know it's always been a problem. the key is good medical evidence so try to provide as much as possible with your mandatory reconsideration.

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