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6 years 5 months ago #199586 by beans
Post PIP assessment was created by beans
I've had my PIP assessment and I think it went badly. It's playing on my mind and I felt there were so many silent tests designed to catch people out. There was no parking facility so I had to park 100 yards away. I had no choice other than to not turn up. The fact I am in agony now because it's the furthest I've been able to walk in months is not something I can tell them about, nor that it will take days of shovelling extra painkillers and being stuck in a chair. I didn't think to mention it because I have trouble with memory and cognitive problems and thinking ahead isn't my strong point. There were simple tests that the majority of people can do but because they're doable it doesn't mean to say that doing them a few times in a row won't be a struggle and I'd have to give up after a minute of doing it repeatedly. Something else that struck me was to do with reaching for a tissue. I managed that but not without my shoulder grinding and hurting. I then had to put up resistance to having my hands pushed although I was told I needn't do it if it caused pain. I didn't put up resistance at all on one occasion because I was hurting too much but that doesn't correlate with taking a tissue which as it wasn't a repeated exercise I was able to do. I feel there were many similar instances designed to mske me look more capable than I truly am. The stress I'm under now is horrible and will take a toll on my health for weeks but that's ok because I managed to fold a piece of paper.

I had a DLA assessment 6 months ago and it was with a doctor who I could tell understood my life situation and how my illnesses affect me as a whole rather than unfairly judging me on a one off task that a four year old could do. I was awarded DLA indefinitely. I have to wait weeks now and I'm terrified. I had to appeal the time before last because I said i couldn't bend over as i was in so much pain and my asked to be excused that task was actually noted as a refusal to even try doing it. I know my body and it's limitations. If I lose this I lose my motability car and simply putting it, I'm a prisoner in my home without it.

Sorry for venting but I'm already actively thinking in terms of presenting my appeal in front of a tribunal. I understand there has to be tests but why can't they be realistic? For instance it's taken me a whole hour to write this post and I spent a solid teo hours thinking of what to say beforehand but someone without my mental difficulties might have taken five minutes to write it.

Would it make any difference to my case if I was to write to the DWP telling them the above? I feel like up I have to be doing something that might save months of fear and the inevitable worsening of my depression and pain just to get back on an even keel where life is bearable.

I collect illnesses the way some people collect clutter.

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6 years 5 months ago #199603 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Post PIP assessment
Beans

If you want to tell the DWP about these things then there is a narrow window for you to do this, send the information to the DWP office dealing with your claim, marked for the attention of the Decision Maker. The address will be on any letter you have had from the DWP about your PIP claim.

I would also make it clear that you are not asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration and that your letter was written in advance of any Decision being made,=.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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6 years 5 months ago #199991 by beans
Replied by beans on topic Post PIP assessment
Hello Gordon, sorry for the delay but I've now done as you suggested and posted it off via Recorded Delivery to make sure it would be received. I'm hoping I hear something soon but I feel slightly better about the assessment now I've done that. I had an horrendous experience before when I went to the tribunal where the judge read my paperwork, told me I'd won my appeal and sent me home before I even got into the court, and that's why this is playing on my mind. I'm having a relapse/flare up now so pretty sure it was triggered by the stress. It's a horrible procedure for sick people but necessary I suppose because too many take advantage. Anyway, thank you so much for your kind advice. I will let you know the outcome.

I collect illnesses the way some people collect clutter.
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6 years 4 months ago #201314 by beans
Replied by beans on topic Post PIP assessment
Hello again Gordon. I've received confirmation of PIP but they're taking my motability car away from me. I knew this was a foregone conclusion as the assessment didn't go well as I said before. I'm pretty sure that's why they sent me to a city centre assessment centre with no parking, not even a disabled bay. Unless I walked there, I'd face any consequences of non attendance. I parked a hundred metres away and it took me all my strength to get to my appointment. When I got there I was ready to collapse from pain and in floods of tears. From this journey they decided I can walk 200 metres in one go - the only place for me to sit was the road and I'd never get back up again - and that I can cope with slopes. I live on a very steep hill and without a car I'm a prisoner in my home unless I beg people I don't know to chauffeur me everywhere. There were many other issues the assessor played down. In Spring I had a DLA assessment by a qualified dr, the outcome of which was an indefinite award. I don't know how not being a dr means you know better.

Is there anything I can do? If I'm forced to stay indoors for the next five years my life won't be worth a jot. I'll have none of my medications or food because I can't leave the house. It feels so bleak right now.

I collect illnesses the way some people collect clutter.

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6 years 4 months ago #201333 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Post PIP assessment
Beans

Sorry to hear this.

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: beans

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6 years 4 months ago #201730 by beans
Replied by beans on topic Post PIP assessment
Hello Gordon

Sorry to be a nuisance. I've been looking at the guides (I don't find it easy to take anything in with my brain damage) and immediately noticed a possible issue. I'm happy with my PIP award, just not the lack of mobility award. I've been on the motability scheme since 2010 and it's my lifeline beyond my garden gate. From what I've been reading, the guide says my PIP award could go down if I challenge my award. Is there any way I could just challenge the mobility part? It's pretty daunting and I'm not the bravest of people when it comes to the DWP. Thanks again.

I collect illnesses the way some people collect clutter.

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