Applying for PIP

My personal experience of applying for PIP is very negative. 

Originally I wasn't even thinking of applying for it because of all the negative publicity about how difficult it is to qualify.

However my local branch of the money advice service (MONEYBUDDIES) included applying for PIP as part of my action plan. And they even helped fill in  my application form during a two hour session. 

The actual face to face appointment was a disaster.  And the interview only concentrated on physical disabilities and problems. The interviewer completely ignored my considerable mental problems.  I received zero points on all sections.  In the written report, explicit mention was made of the facts that I was dressed in clean clothes, had good personal hygiene, had degree level education,  I was shaved, I could move my arms freely, I could walk over 200meters unaided and without pain.

The evidence that I was fired from my previous job because of my 'Bizarre' behaviour was ignored.

I requested the mandatory reassessment, on the official forms.  It took six weeks for the DWP to acknowledge receipt of my request with the message that the normal waiting time is ten weeks for the actual reassessment. 

I'm an engineer - the whole application was done with precision.

My application was done in partnership with the CAB - I went into the process trusting the DWP were a professional operation - I was proved wrong at EVERY stage.   I've never dealt with such an incompetent, dishonest organisation in my life,     I more than meet all the criteria and my medial reports were watertight and cross referenced throughout the application.

After an information request, we found so many basic errors that the incompetence is either astonishing or deliberate.   Even the interview report refers to 'she can....'  (I'm male) and seemed to be a cut-n-paste of other people's interviews.    Even though this was all pointed out at the appeal, the decision stood.

When it went to tribunal, the panel could not work out what on earth the DWP were doing - the tribunal took 5 mins and was awarded for 5 years.

When I applied I had to wait around six months from submitting my application to my interview as PIP was a brand new benefit and the backlog was immense. Universal Credit and PIP are separate departments within DWP, therefore, I'd be very surprised if the rollout of UC affected your application. 

My success hasn’t been luck. I've been successful each time as I meet the criteria, I take time to read the application requirements and act on them, plus I give the application the preparation time it needs. After all, a four-year award is over £18,000 in additional income for me.

I suspect the DWP is like every large organisation I've worked for and the quality of employees vary, so the issue could be with the person who interviewed you but from your replies there are a lot of red flags in your knowledge and how you approached the application. As such, it may be beneficial for you to have your application and evidence reviewed by CAB or another specialist agency to see if they can give you any pointers on how you can improve next time. For example, you say you submitted many statements and letters but the space to make your points on your application is tiny. Therefore, it comes across as though you might have handed in lots of paperwork but you didn't explain how it related to the points you made so it could have been difficult to see the wood for the trees. You also state you can't record the interview but you can - http://www.capita-pip.co.uk/en/assessment-process.html

I can't believe how lucky you were!   The DWP were snowed under last year due to the Universal Credit roll-out so they were just bouncing anyone with hidden disabilities - I have Ulcerative Colitis, Aspergers, Viral Encephalitis resulting in brain injury, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Crazy Hypertension, Osteoporosis, Memory problems, coordination problems, adrenal fatigue etc. etc. - and they just ignored the many statements and letters from all of my consultants and said I was perfectly fit!

After dealing with the DWP systems, I will never trust them again - I will be well-armed next time.

Due to a misdiagnosed MH condition and dyslexia, I was awarded PIP when it first came out. I've since been through the renewal stage due to my awards expiry date and am now waiting for them to re-assess my award due to declaring that I am autistic. I have been awarded the benefit each time after a f2f interview and the duration of the award has increased at each assessment.  I've had a very different experience to Plastic and have found my dealings with DWP to be very fair. I've always used their pre-paid envelopes and none of my communication has been lost.

I'm fortunate as I've worked with someone who fraudulently applied, therefore, I sympathise with the way DWP run things and how they prefer independent evidence to prove the points you are making rather than simply taking each applicant at their word. Below is a list of some of the evidence I've sent in:

• Highlighted GP notes - these usually take a few days from when you contact your GPs reception to when they're ready
• Autism diagnostic report
• OH report from my job as a tutor in a uni
• Letter from a manager at work 
• Needs assessment report for MA and now PHD
• Copies of emails that evidence how I won't accept incoming calls at work

I make things as easy as possible for the assessment team by stating what page the evidence is on. E.g as page xxx of the OH report dated xxx demonstrates I cannot read without support from assistive technology and use screen tinting software at work to place a green overlay over my computer screen. As the emails dated xxx demonstrate I also have to use dark green printer paper to be able to read photocopied material or print outs. Without these adjustments words due not sit flat on the page (they buzz instead) causing rapid fatigue when reading, as well as migraines.

PIP is based around life impact.    It is split into sections regarding getting around, washing yourself, feeding yourself, hygiene, using the toilet, physical mobility, communication skills etc.  Points make prizes!

You need to be aware of a few things before you embark on this process:

1 - DO NOT TRUST THE DWP!!!!!!  

2 - Make sure EVERY communication with them is noted down and all post is sent special delivery - they lie about everything and deny ever receiving letters, they deny ever talking to you so keep a detailed diary, make sure you get names and direct telephone numbers whenever you speak to them.

3 - They pre-date letters so they arrive with you only a couple of days before your deadline to reply expires - every time!  Be prepared!   They claim that they have leeway because they're short staffed???  Doesn't apply to you though - they are looking to trip you up with process errors or by missing dates..

4 - The person doing your interview is NOT YOUR FRIEND - They are trying to save government money - they are trying to get you to accidentally minimise your problems - so with no problems, it means no points which means no PIP.   They even twist and lie about what was said in their written interview report.    Make sure you go with your son - he will be really easy to manipulate if he's on his own. - take notes of the questions asked and your son's replies (you're not allowed to record it)   Make sure you tell them beforehand that you will be doing an information request after the interview to make sure the report is accurate.

5 - Make sure you get fresh letters from your GP and any consultants BEFORE you instigate the process or you will run out of time (30 days from initial phone-call to them).

6 - Be ready for them to refuse you - you have 30 days to appeal/add more information - expect it and be ready!

7- They sometimes refuse your appeal just to kick the can down the road and make you go to a tribunal - this process could take 18 months.    Be ready to ask for an urgent appointment due to stress and anxiety and deteriorating health/suicide risk because of the stress.

8 - DO NOT GIVE UP - they make the system difficult to make the weak fall by the wayside.

They are paid over 40k/year and their medical training may have a VERY low level of medical training and NO CLUE about autism.   They will, of course, try to imply that they have full medical qualifications - most don't.

They claim ignorance of everything - the more your son tries to explain, the more he can obviously communicate.    It's a trap!!!!