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. 

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. 

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. 

That’s a good idea. I didn’t even know I could do that with the doctor. Once I am calm I will look into whether there is any local advisor I can approach. Thanks. 

I suffer from extreme emotions so I know how difficult it can be when you're incredibly stressed. I'm not sure about my local area but in Derbyshire, the county council has a benefits adviser who can help people like you to sort out you're claim so that might be an avenue to explore. I was assessed in Oct last year and received my report in Dec, so hopefully, you won't have long to wait.

If you are considering applying for PIP have you considered going to your GP in the meantime to get them to officially record some of the difficulties you have that specifically relate to the PIP criteria . Then you could get a print out of your notes and send off the relevant sections as extra evidence with your claim. I can't help with ESA unfortunately as I've never applied.

Thanks for offering advice and telling me your story. Sorry if I was OTT previously and horribly unfair to you. To clarify, my problems are with the DWP regarding ESA. They won’t tell me what the problem is. It has got much worse than that. Nobody will tell me what the problem is. I simply cannot cope with it any more. I am going to try to not do anything until September. I simply cannot even get any communication. I’ll be fine on my savings for some time. If I knew what the problem is I could sort it out. Thanks. I actually thought I don’t qualify for PIP because I am independent. Maybe I should get the forms after all. That might be easier when I finally get a written ASD report. That too is taking a long time, despite requesting it. I was assessed for ASD in May. 

If you need PIP to apply for other/higher level of benefits and you don't know how to deal with the problem of applying for this, as well as ESA, have you considered starting a thread on here asking for people to explain what they did when they were successfully awarded the benefit? That might give you some ideas of how to approach the issue. 

I didn't have any help when I applied and didn't even think about aksing for any as I tend to be a bit of a loan wolf. I have noticed other people have been to see CAB and there is a benefits and work website that a lot of people have found useful.

Although people suggest going to work, having a degree etc hampered their application I'm not sure the degree of ability effects claims as much as how the application is written. For example, I work 30 hours a week as a teacher, have a masters degree, manage my own home etc. This doesn't mean I don't struggle. Someone I used to work with applied for PIP for his son. His son won't leave the house alone so it could be suggested his needs are higher than mine. His dad left a lot of detail of his application and didn't submit any evidence and his son's claim was rejected.

I noticed another poster said they sent in hundreds of pages of evidence. This is only my opinion but I think that's excessive and could have made it difficult for the assessor to find the relevant points, especially if these weren't pointed out by the applicant. I always try and make things as clear as possible, including highlighting the relevant sentences on a document. Below is an example of how I'd answer a question on the PIP form...

I need prompting with taking nutrition as xxxxx. This is highlighted in my ASD report on page xxx, as well as the OH referral dated xxx.

Good luck with your application/s!