Has anyone applied for pip and been refused, to find things discussed by the assessor were left out of their decision? I am just wondering if automatic refusal is the norm for anyone. Do they not recognise sensory disability or autism as a disability at all?
I'm not sure on the mental health side of things as I got my PIP on physically not being able to carry out the activities repeatedly without suffering during a bad day which is the definition they are supposed to use.
I'm not sure my recent diagnosis of autism will make any difference as PIP is based upon your level of disability not on any specific diagnosis (although a diagnosis of the cause of the disability might help).
I do know how to chop up veg and cook a meal but I don't do it due to being too overwhelmed after being at work and interaction outside. I end up binging on wrong foods and only heat a soup up, for example.
There was a legal case years ago about what preparing a meal meant and although I might not have got this exactly correct it is chopping up the veg and cooking a proper meal from the raw ingredients using saucepans etc. So if they said using a microwave covered the preparing of a meal then they were misquoting the case law.
The award of PIP is based on level of disability not on whether you are working or not.
I too was turned down for PIP based on the fact that I could get to work using public transport, had a full time job and was able to use a microwave. They acknowledged that I had said that I suffered with anxiety but hadn't mentioned that I had cried during my video assessment. I hadn't been diagnosed with ASD then but was awaiting an assessment for ASD and ADHD which they ignored . They even ignored the letter from the mental health nurse explaining that I have suffered with PTSD and anxiety for years. The assessor had even asked me if I would use a car to get out more if I had one as I suffer with social anxiety. This was ignored too. I was awarded zero points for everything too.
I now have my ASD diagnosis and have been told that I have ADHD traits but am awaiting that assessment. Once I get that in writing, then I will try applying again with that evidence.
I do feel that most people are turned down so they can save money because some people will just accept this and give up.
If they turn me down again, I will definitely appeal this.
Yes you’re right to question it there has to be a sub agenda. I just don’t really understand how they can rate the effect something has on you without meeting you or seeing your situation. Reading my decision it was as though it was written about it someone else and the key points of the discussion had not been recorded. As another poster said it can depend who you get on the day, like a driving test, but really it comes down to competence and how they prove their conclusions.
I applied for PIP in 2019, after being encouraged to do so by a support worker. When I received the letter from the DWP Decision Maker, I had 'scored' 0 points for everything. In addition to the mental health nurse leaving who had carried out the assessment failing to include things that had been discussed, it seemed clear to me that they had allowed their personal opinion to cloud their judgement, instead of being impartial. For example, their report had noted that I had admitted I was feeling anxious, but was displaying no visible signs of this. They hadn't stopped to consider that maybe the reason why I wasn't hiding under a table, or sat rocking in a chair was because I didn't want to cause a scene and attract unwanted attention. To me, it felt like a lot of incorrect assumptions had made made.
Anyway, after requesting a mandatory reconsideration, the original decision was overturned and I was awarded the standard rate of PIP for daily living and mobility. Obviously, this was a relief, but it also made no sense that two DWP Decision Makers had reached opposing decisions. I'm a cynical person and am of the opinion that the reason why so many PIP claims are refused is because the DWP hope the people applying will be put off from taking it further, thus saving money.
I’m gonna be honest I find PIP to be a waste of time but that is just the rubbish experience I had with them. Hopefully no one else has a jobsworth like what I had. I was just hoping if I got it I could afford more private therapy but guess not.
Obviously this is there to help people most in need. There will be people who look at this like an easily assessible benefit, I haven’t got any traditionally termed ‘physical disabilities’ but my brain prevents me having normal abilities on tap when I need them. My challenge is more based on the assessors method of scoring as the call was recorded yet she failed to record what I was saying as part of her decision making process. That is aside of her demographic and qualifications.
Ugh don’t get me started on PIP. Like the rudest person on this planet in my opinion. I applied for it and the health professional was a foreigner who couldn’t speak English well and she had the cheek to tell me I need to speak better because she can’t understand me! IN MY OWN COUNTRY!!! But yeah I got refused and twisted everything I said, I appealed and still failed. You need to be careful how to word things as they supposedly look for key words but the thing is I found everything I said had got twisted and when I said I had to have numerous support and been to numerous therapies they said well I am clearly ok. Yet there are people who have done bad things and taken bad things who get PIP! I did go and speak with citizens advice who were great with me but I just lost so much confidence and went through so much stress and trauma that I didn’t think applying and going through all that again was worth it. Sorry for my rant
This is my issue. I say the words live alone and have a job and that's it. They've already written me off. Yes I can do enough to hold down a job and keep myself a live. But that doesnt mean there aren't serious struggles. I am currently having some health issues which I'm almost certain come back to autisms affect on my lifestyle. And the amount of money I spend because I can't always manage is massive. A little bit of help would go a very long way for me.
I wish you luck with your appeal and I hope the process isn't too difficult.
I am the same, I dont wish to sort of 'stretch the truth' lol as it feels very dishonest. It can go to a tribunal though if you keep challenging the decision made so youd have to turn up in person with all your paperwork ( proof from Drs, therapist, OTs, Support worker or the psychiatrist who diagnosed you etc).Alternatively may attend via a teams meeting.
If you believe they are wrong then you should definitely appeal - however I gather that average waiting times range fro 20 to 36 weeks so it may be a long wait, I gather an oral (in person) appeal gives the best result and if you can get someone from Citizens Advice Bureau to help you and to attend the appeal hearing with you that can also help.
Its not about the money. Its partly about the principle of how they carry out these tests. I never even got to meet anyone. I don't want to embellish anything either I genuinely believe they are wrong.
That is crazy they let people know this. So many things I said were left out of the decision. I asked if the call was recorded, they told me it was. Maybe I should challenge this? I would have been happy to wait 15 weeks then another 8. I'm not sure my sense of humour will hold up that long.
I didn't get as far as being assessed, I just got a letter saying no, I was pretty sure I wsn't going to get in anyway. It always takes me a couple of hours to get going in the morning or early afternoon!
The form excludes assessing for multiple disablities that may stop you from doing things, when I did my ESA form it said to put anything that didn't fit on a seperate page, so I did. I sent them about 6 pages of notes answering each point on the form in greater detail, I wrote it like an essay, with an introduction, the main body and a conclusion that explained how all my various conditions get together and gang up on me, limiting what I can do. I was surprised, they accepted all of it!
Hi. Thanks. I have nothing else to do, it would help but its not the end of the World. Claiming UC means you are restricted to the amount you can earn or the hours you work, I don't think the PIP is but your abilty to work certainly affects how much you can earn and your living standards.
