Are the DWP and government trying to kill us all off?

Although I know there are a lot of horror stories, especially with regards to disability benefits, I've found my dealing with the government to be nothing but pleasant. I've been awarded PIP twice (initial application and renewal) based on my application and f2f interview. It appears that if you provide independent evidence to back up what you're saying its no longer a 'he said, she said' case and the process runs smoothly. 

When I first applied, what I found really frustrating was internet forums. As the ones who've had a good experience don't have any frustration to vent they tend to be quiet, this meant I read a lot of horror stories but not many positives ones. This caused me significant and needless anxiety. 

Although I know there are a lot of horror stories, especially with regards to disability benefits, I've found my dealing with the government to be nothing but pleasant. I've been awarded PIP twice (initial application and renewal) based on my application and f2f interview. It appears that if you provide independent evidence to back up what you're saying its no longer a 'he said, she said' case and the process runs smoothly. 

When I first applied, what I found really frustrating was internet forums. As the ones who've had a good experience don't have any frustration to vent they tend to be quiet, this meant I read a lot of horror stories but not many positives ones. This caused me significant and needless anxiety. 

Whilst I fully comprehend many claims go through with ease, particularly when PIP is awarded and also for people who don’t live entirely unsupported and alone, for many others it doesn’t run smoothly. Many go smoothly, many don’t. My problem stems from the fact I didn’t apply for PIP when DLA was abolished. Also there are degrees of ability. This seriously affects claims. 

Other people won’t have any problems. It really is more a case that I don’t know how to deal with the problem and nobody is going to do it for me. That should not be a problem for you to understand. Maybe it is. I’ve always had to fight my corner. Nobody else will. If you have help in your corner I’m happy for you. Just don’t assume we all do, please. Sorry if I’ve gone OTT, but this is how I actually feel right now. I simply cannot cope with the system. 

I am really happy your experience was good.

However, I think that it is better when people have negative experiences that they speak about it. If the process works then it doesn't need changing, but if there are problems, the DWP and the govt cannot act on them unless we speak up and say there's a problem.

You mentioned independent evidence, as though not getting a good result somehow was linked to poor evidentiary support. I actually submitted 221 pages of independent evidence, covering 8 different professional bodies including NAS support workers. It still took a year of fighting and an appeal tribunal to get my benefit awarded.

Also, independent evidence is not always read as it is meant. In my case one statement from a supporting professional was quoted out of context to support the government's argument, even though the whole document did not support their view. The professional in question wrote a follow up statement refuting the Government's use of her words for my tribunal, but that should never happen. None of the rest of my evidence was cited until the point of tribunal.

I don't say any of these things to make people anxious or afraid. On the contrary, I say it to make people aware. Autistic people don't do well with surprises. In my case, the fact that so many people had had a bad time but had had decisions overturned at tribunal gave me the strength to keep fighting even through a really hard year.

If you are lucky enough to have a good assessor and a good reviewer then that's awesome and it gives a lot of people hope going forward. But it is not the experience of everyone, and if you tell people it will all be fine, and then it isn't, they are more likely to worry that there isn't a solution in sight. In short, the whole process is horrible. But even so, it's still possible to get things sorted out in the long run, so it is worth fighting and proving your case.

At least, I think so.