Scoring 0 on PIP assessment

Found out today I need to go back to the same place for the ESA. Fun times...

i hope so im screwed if i don't get it

Also, this article highlights the ways in which it's hard for those on benefits to be noticed

www.theguardian.com/.../civil-servant-disability-andrew-mcdonald-disabled-people

That sounds like an unpleasant experience for you and the assessor sounds awful! I'm glad your complaining.

It's true, and the end of the article even says that he could have managed without the money from PIP. I questioned whether he should really be applying too!

But I think all the points he raises are valid, and because of his former position the newspaper was able to run it as a major article, opposed to if they were reporting about me for example!

If someone with terminal cancer and Parkinson's isn't awarded PIP, it shows how screwed up the system is. And like you say, if that was happening to someone struggling for food/rent money etc, it would be horrendous.

Did you see this article by Frances Ryan? It came out a little while ago - it's about people who are struggling due to difficulty getting benefits and social care

 www.theguardian.com/.../a-year-of-dispatches-from-the-frayed-edges-of-britains-safety-net

I read this article and have a different perspective on it.  The man in question is described as a former top civil servant!  

He must have earned a fortune in his lifetime being paid a very high salary.  And now he's claiming PIP , trying to squeeze every last penny from the benefit system.

I think benefits should go to people who really need the money, to buy food, pay rent, heat their homes etc.  

You're completely right; I don't understand how it hasn't been highlighted as a national scandal. Maybe because the people affected are usually vulnerable, possibly lacking resources and a way to get their voices heard. I think there is also still a stigma attached to claiming benefits (thanks to campaigns run by certain newspapers in the past), so people can be encouraged to be thankful for getting any help at all.

Some media outlets are starting to pick up on it though: www.theguardian.com/.../former-watchdog-chief-labels-disabled-benefits-process-a-hostile-environment

Hopefully if you currently qualify for these, they shouldn't take it away from you. It seems to be new claimants that have most trouble accessing PIP. 

Like I said, I'm a fool to myself, always the champion of a lost cause. I've had to do it before over something else, I'd do it again if it would affect a positive change for someone.

I agree - it's a national disgrace - all to save money by starving the weakest in society - also the least likely to be able to fight back.

But - I wouldn't fancy being put in front of a camera for NTs to use me and twist my situation for their own ends.

Has anyone thought about contacting consumer shows, BBC Watchdog, news programmes, national media? This is a national scandal that's affecting hundreds of potentially vulnerable people. With awareness of mental health at its highest in the public consciousness surely there's a case for this to be brought to the attention of the public.

I blame the Tories.

i get full carers and mobility ive just received my review letter and am filling it out but reading these examples of denials im starting to get very anxious i couldn't cope without the extra help i get through pip if im kicked off im not sure what i will do

I'm just wondering, how do people get PIP at their first attempt without appealing?

Is it just pot luck?  And a sympathetic assessor?  

Or are they very well prepared, knowing all the right things to write and say.

I have been advised to apply for PIP.  But reading about other people's experiences makes me feel that I don't stand a chance in hell of getting it.

I', expecting my results shortly. Had the assessment on the 27th. As soon as I left, I made a list for the complaint!

1. Asked "how does this affect you?" I didn't know what context or conditions she meant. I asked her to explain and she said "just tell me how it affects you". Friend tried to help but she shut her down. She only let her speak when I panicked. I tried to give an example of traveling and she said "we aren't doing that section yet".

2. When she asked about medical treatment, she seemed to ignore that I haven't had a flu jab this year putting me at risk of bronchitis - and I have a medial history, and she didn't note missing the asthma test, or not seeking help earlier for anxiety or depression.

3. She didn't ask why travel was difficult - in fact she barely went into the sensory issues. I tried to explain vision but she brushed it aside.

4. I tried to explain about the lights and her typing and she brushed it off with "well I have to do it" without seeming to realise it was a sensory issue.

5. Said her experience of autism is "they" are good at paying bills.

6. Didn't seem to realise sensory issues change during the day - so not being able to coordinate in the mornings doesn't mean I can't in the evenings.

7. Comments such as "you can't tie laces yet you can coordinate to type 12hrs a day?"

8. Accepted that I can travel to 2 miles on a bus, but didn't seem to register the difficulties involved. Such as getting the right bus on the wrong side of the road, missing busses, not getting on them, etc. Not to mention getting lost when I am there!

9. Didn't understand when I said I need to prepare for journeys anything up to a week in advance.

10. Asked a lot of questions along the lines of "why do you do that?" which the only answer I could give was "autism". These questions seemed to be only answerable by clinical psychiatrists!

11. It was explained my friend was there to help with communication yet she kept stopping her with "He needs to answer", or "It's not your assessment"

12. Didn't seem to realise I needed to process the questions. At one point she said "we need to get a move on"

13. On the form, travel issues were gone though in detail, yet the assessment was nearly 90mins and several buses into a strange city. Had I been going alone, I wouldn't have gone.

I feel for you; the system is so unjust at the moment, like @Plastic says, people with hidden disabilities are having their claims denied.

I scored 0 points too.   

They seem to be bouncing everyone with a hidden disability right now. Nasty policy. You may have to go to appeal and maybe even to tribunal.

They usually fake the dates on their letters so your 28 days is probably almost up (they like to date things 3-weeks previous to give you only a couple of days to prepare your appeal and provide extra evidence.so you don't have the time to get another report).

If you speak to them, make sure you make a record of the call as they will deny talking to you - and they will NEVER ring you back.

The interviewers seem to be being directed to lie on their reports to reject you.

I spoke to the local post office and they say they've never had to send so many special delivery to the DWP - it just shows how many people they are abusing.

Do not trust a thing they say.

To get to tribunal make take up to 18 months!

BTW - I scored zero - with Aspergers, terrible uclerative colitis (like super-Crohns), Meningitis, long and short-term memory problems, crazy hypertension, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain, depression, osteoporosis, terrible medication side-effects and co-ordination problems.

I'm obviously 'good to go'.