Help! My PIP assessor lied about everything!

[adammylove]

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

Doesn’t do any good as most are contractors and you never meet the same one twice.

The plus side to a lying assessor is that you are more likely to win at tribunal.

Try contacting disability charities in your area for help with writing the MR and potentially representing you at a tribunal. Many charities take on people after they have been initially turned down for PIP as they are overwhelmed too.

Clearly this isn’t true.

Someone I worked with you had recently worked as a PIP assessor said they have intensive training in all conditions. I help a lot of people in my job role with PIP applications. Yes quite a lot are turned down but also a lot are awarded first time without any problem. Things like migraines/ fibro etc do seem to be harder to get PIP for but the assessment should take into consideration fluctuating conditions.

It does happen in DWP, but if you persevere to tribunal the medical evidence wins it.

And yet, as others have said, many are approved at first application.

Many are terminally ill or are review assessments, not new claimants for long term disability.

What dis heartens me is that I was really emotional on the phone, describing how it was effecting my life, but they said I hold down a job so that's that. None of the difficulties I reported have been taken into consideration. Also I saw the neurologist years ago, I wouldn't be able to approach without another referral.

Soontobe60
My medical evidence was ignored by the original application and the mandatory reconsideration. Scored zero points for mobility despite the fact I can hardly stand.

Hi, I thought the whole point of me filling in the form was for them to see from my point of view how it affects me daily, but yes maybe reflecting back I could have asked the GP for a supporting letter. Then again they would only be able to state, she reports feeling like this, like that, so really I'm not sure that would have a big impact.

Thanks, this is my next step. I made one huge error, and that was I forgot to ask for the call to be recorded, had I done that, I think there could have been a chance the assessor told the truth about what we discussed.

The GP can still ask for a new letter without referring you again as they will have you on record. I got one for my PIP from neurology for a 12yr old brain injury. It’s just a basic on such and such a date after a RTA, a scan showed x, Hellenika was diagnosed with y, and yes this is permanent and causes significant debilitation in the areas of memory, blah blah. Signed Dr Goodbrain, date within last six months.

The GP can then write a letter saying your day to day difficulties…ie as you are not eating several days of the week the GP can reference any vitamin deficiencies you’ve had, ie have you been low on iron? And had iron tablets? loss of weight, malnutrition, come to them about fatigue, what migraine medication you are on and its side effects etc

Almost 70% of those that appeal the denial of PIP win their appeal - the system is very flawed
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-appeals

Sadly, they don’t really respond to tears/emotion. I have emotion dysregulation from my brain injury and even though it’s part of my disability to cry at the drop of a hat and get all flustered and lose my train of thought, the assessor treated it like crocodile tears.

Definitely do not give up! I got 0pt my first assessment and MR too. Tribunal overturned it, went up to enhanced daily and standard mobility. Since then the same charity help me and my award has been renewed at same level with no assessment, just a paper based review.

You've definitely got to go for an MR- and try to get support with doing it if you possibly can. But definitely read all the guidance on benefits and work website. Good luck

👍👍

It is, but I filled mine out completely wrong. I rambled and told examples. A disability charity helped me at MR and Tribunal. MR is often a rubber stamp of the initial decision so don’t be disheartened if that happens to you too. This same charity help me fill out the review forms and I list them as my help in the notes section.

It does help to have Drs agreeing with how you are because they are putting their professional reputation on the line that you are genuine.

Thanks so much to everyone, I've only just signed up about 2 hours ago and wow, what an amazing support network this forum is. I feel really reassured, but sad for those in similar positions who perhaps can't fight further because of their condition, but thank you once again for everyone's kind words and advice x

The advice now even from benefits and work is to record it yourself on maybe a spare phone or mini recorder. And you do not have to tell them you're doing so. Covert recordings have been accepted by appeals. A lot of the time when you request the DWP record it there is a "problem with the equipment" so people have had to take matters into their own hands and even the DWP know this is becoming the norm

OP apologies for derailing the thread but if you are having migraines that mean for half the week you can barely function you need to ask to be referred to a specialist headache team (UCL - Queen Square are the leading team in the country). You shouldn’t be discharged given your level of symptoms.

Have you been offered or tried:

Nerve blocks
Botox
IV infusions of dihydrogetamine with caffeine

Have you been referred to a pain management team?

Sorry to derail and apologies if in fact you’ve been through all the above; however, too many women with pain conditions are fobbed up off when there are treatments which could manage their conditions better.

And, if you win, and the odds are in your favour- 70% win, it is backdated to when you first applied! So you get a lump sum of what you should have been paid. DWP tried to tell me to reapply when I sent in MR letter (I was advised do it in writing, send signed for special delivery due to cases of phone MRs and regular post MRs being lost). But, if you reapply, it’s only back dated to new application date, so they save money by doing a fob off!
Id fight this to the tribunal. Don’t be tempted to start over with a new application.

It is really sad because it’s those most in need who likely can’t do the initial application perfect to sail through DWP and then can’t keep fighting and give up.

Honestly I feel sorry for the genuine claimers but I also feel sorry for the people that have to assess... I my job we have lots of people applying parallel to what I do for them and we assist them in paperwork and online help.

Honestly the amount of complete crap I see on these applications, ridiculous reasons and I really do believe that people are in a race because they think everyone else is getting it so they should get it type of feeling ( only who i see but it is a lot!)

I really can't blame them for rejecting on sight a lot of the time but it's very unfair on those who do need and deserve it

Came on to say that @

@whatthehellnow23

Yes... why would I not... its relevant and an opinion