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Help - I’m apparently full functioning human ?‍♀️

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5 years 4 months ago #221022 by Sarah
Sorry new to this and using mobile so if this is in wrong bit apologies. It’s been recommended to me as I’ve just had my pip assessment results - I’m a functioning human apparently! So hurt by report and frustrated- but apparently if I’m ok to complain then I’m fit enough to function! Sorry on adrenaline today as wound up.
I got pneumonia in Sept 2017 and had high temp for 8mths - lost my job, was so ill I couldn’t leave house for months. I slowly started to improve (I say improve - I managed to briefly leave house and some days stay awake all day!)
In Aug 2018 I was diagnosed with ME and got/getting worse. Totally appreciate everyone’s levels of doing things is different ill or well but hurts when I obviously didn’t “act” enough in assessment! Two weeks b4 I got ill with pneumonia I drove to Scotland and back (I’m Dorset based) in 3 days. Thought nothing of it- now can’t drive every day and drive 10mins down road! I’ve got 3 children and family/ex husband which are as helpful as a chocolate fire guard! Family not local. I was able to stay on in house after breakdown of marriage as was working but now fully and frustratedly on benefits I’m stuck. Pip would remove benefit cap so enable me to stay in house. Our home is our only stablity so priority for me to keep. My Ex husband would probably take custody if I lost house as means we end up in hostel. There’s huge waiting list so would be there long term. I’ve got one doing GCSEs so don’t want to move schools or disrupt home. My children missing out on so much as ill for so long. I just want to get better and be back at work - not stressing on losing my house/children and report saying I’m functioning! Sorry rant over and no idea if it makes sense but just borrowed £20 to join site so figured as much info as I could put for appeal advice. I scored 0! No idea why as told truth and truth on bad days. Thank you and sorry if I sound like loon. Gave up on hold with Citzens advice

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5 years 4 months ago #221026 by Gordon
Sarah

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;

"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"

than their opinions

"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.

When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sarah

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