Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I am new to the forum as my daughter was only diagnosed with Austistic Spectrum Disorder last summer, after a year and a half of assessments. We applied for PIP last April (I am her appointee) and have just been sent a letter saying she will not receive it, despite never going out alone and not being able to cope with communication with people other than her immediate family, and that is limited. She scored 4 points for 'engaging with other people face to face' and 4 points for 'planning and following journeys'. Zero points for everything else, despite a face to face assessment where I explained that she goes out on average once a week, sometimes less, and is always accompanied. She has lots of sensitivities, particularly with food.
Has anyone else experienced this? I am preparing an appeal. It says on the covering letter ' I realise you have a disability or health condition and receiving this decision isn't the news you were hoping for'. It's a joke.
I’ve made a petition – will you sign it please?
Click this link to sign the petition:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/226406/sponsors/new?token=jefIevi3jyDnyuZ5yfPu
My petition:
Correct the balance in PIP assessments for people with autism and mental health.
In 2013 Mark Wood, died of starvation weighing 5st 8lb, He was autistic, had his benefits cut, he was unable to leave the house to access support. I am almost identically autistic, I didn't pass the PIP assessment, so I rely on my wife. PIP processes discriminates against autism and mental health.
The National Autistic Society's evidence to the Work & Pensions Committee explained that of 350,000 UK adults with autism, only 15% are in full-time employment. 60% of adults with autism rely on families for financial support, 40% live with their parents. 63% of adults with autism lack the support to meet their needs, this results in a third of adults with autism developing serious mental health problems. The 2017 High Court ruled that PIP showed "blatant discrimination" against mental health.