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Being a parent and PIP Review

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5 years 4 months ago #221632 by Sam
Being a parent and PIP Review was created by Sam
Dear All

I have today submitted my PIP Review form, 1 year before my award ends. I have attached letters from 2 Doctors, my physio, and psychologist. My initial claim in 2016 was on mental health grounds and I was awarded standard on both

I now have Fibromyalgia, and worse mobility due to a car crash with a double decker bus and permanent side effects from taking a chemotherapy drug. Last time I was 1 point off getting higher rate for both components.

Both my Doctors have said a visit to the assessment centre is out of the question, as I cannot walk over 20 metres without severe pain and I need to be with someone at all times. One doctor went as far to write that any face to face even a home visit will yield no information as it will cause me extreme psychological distress. My last PIP assessment had to be cut short as I had a panic attack of the worst kind.

What concerns me is on one of the doctors letters, Dr has put I was a victim of domestic violence and have some custody of my 2 children, which is true.

I have a big support network and kids are in full time nursery due to me bring on PIP. Despite my conditions I manage and my parenting is not effected. The high court and family court awarded me custody last year.

I'm worried that the decision maker or assessor will hold being a parent against me or make some kind of referral or I'll lose my PIP because they'll assume as I have 2 kids I can cope. That's not true, I rely on help from various family and friends. The local authority assessed me during custody battle and had no concerns. They said they couldn't discriminate just because I have disabilities.

I wonder if the fact the doctor wrote I'm a parent will ruin my chances of renewal? I'm so worried as the evidence I have sent with AR1 is very strong. The Dr bullet pointed the PIP descriptors and explained how I can't or struggle to do them.

Any advice much appreciated

Sam

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5 years 4 months ago #221643 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Being a parent and PIP Review
Sam

Did you address the fact that you are a parent in your AR1 form?

Put yourself in the assessor's position and think about the issues that argue against you meeting the Descriptors, so as a deliberately silly example; if you say that you cannot prepare and cook a meal then the obvious question would be what do your children eat?

At a more sensible level, how do you manage with your limitations, so if you have a bad grip how do you manage with things like dressing your children if they are still young? If you have OCD then how do you manage your rituals with things like washing?

It's not that these things will prevent you from scoring but you do need to have an answer ready if you can.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 4 months ago #221651 by Sam
Replied by Sam on topic Being a parent and PIP Review
Thanks Gordon

I did not mention I was a parent on my AR1. Last time I was assessed the assessor saw my son's toys but I had my ex wife here that time.

The truth is I get help from various family and friends, especially my mum. That's mostly how cooking etc gets done. I've based the AR1 on bad days which are more than good days.

I started almost every question with 'various family and friends' assist with .......

Surely lots of disabled parents get PIP? Luckily I have good support but I've a feeling that the Dr saying I have sole custody will kill my claim. For e.g. I said my family cook for me which is true and said I need assistance and supervision at all times if I'm in the kitchen, which is all true.

I'm hoping they won't zone in on the fact I'm a parent and spin it round. The Doctor wrote I have 2 incurable conditions then said I'm a parent st the end.

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5 years 4 months ago #221652 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Being a parent and PIP Review
Sam

I wouldn't over think it just be prepared if questions are asked, they may not even raise the subject.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 4 months ago #221810 by Sam
Replied by Sam on topic Being a parent and PIP Review
Surely as I have carers in numbers, that's how these things 'through the assessors eye's' get done. I mentioned various family and friends assist with such and such in every question.

Surely there are thousands of PIP claimants who are parents? And the fact 2 Doctors a physio and other professionals have described how my conditions effect me, one doctor even bullet pointing each descriptor and writing underneath how I can't do it or struggle to do it, should provide the answers for such assumptions.

Isn't the point of PIP to help people have a better quality of life? Whether they are bed bound, work full time, or are a parent?

I'm not saying I'll pass the assessment. I'm naturally anxious about it. Surely with 2 Doctors saying an assessment at an assessment centre is out of the question and a home visit is a poor second choice, which will yield no useful information and result in overwhelming psychological distress for me should give me some chance of a paper review. I think its in their own policy or legislation that where a face to face will result in a danger to the claimant or others, OR cause overwhelming psychological distress then a paper assessment should be considered.

Let's see what happens.

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5 years 3 months ago #222982 by Sam
Replied by Sam on topic Being a parent and PIP Review
Just submitted another letter from MP saying a face to face assessment will yield no useful information and a paper based assessment is by far the preferred option. My MP is the leader of the Labour party. So that's 2 doctors and MP pushing for a paper based assessment. Hoping to God I get one as I cannot go through being grilled about my conditions again. 6 weeks of torture on the way!
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