Cured

[bee2]

For the past few years I have had a lot of healthcare. But seemingly my cardiologists, neurologist, psychologist and GP have been kidding me as DWP stopped my PIP. Gave me zero points and told me more or less I have no symptoms....

[Calliope153]

You need to challenge the decision. Citizens Advice Bureau tell you how to:

advice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/

You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on the top of your letter. Apparently half of the people who apply get the PIP reinstated.

Good luck.

[bee2 in reply to Calliope153]

Thank you. Yes I know I now have to fight them 😥. This was supposedly a review. I had another two heart attacks and various other diagnosis to add since award given. But all wiped out. I am under strict instructions to stay stress free yet sitting here with chest pain.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi bee2

I am sorry to read of your struggles with the DWP and your PIP.

I've got sympathetic chest pain!

I was awarded mine 3 years ago and is for review this year😱😩

I got alot of really useful advice from this website

benefitsandwork.co.uk/perso...

Good luck!

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy I will try them. The I've decided you can. . Really is evil when they don't live my life with my conditions 😥

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to bee2]

You are innocent until proven guilty in this country except when you apply for a disability benefit!

Don't get me going.......

The whole system is so unfair.

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

If we have the doctors reports etc we shouldn't have to prove ourselves. I am still under investigation and can't get meds for a lot of things but they seem to think lack of medication means no illness...

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to bee2]

Group sigh, eye roll and tut needed!

And hug too!

😔🙄😶

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Mm who needs medication and doctors. DWP is the new Lourdes xxx

[Qualipop in reply to Milkfairy]

I've used benefits and work ever since it was set up. It truly is a life saver. The advice is incredible and well worth the small fee. I helped someone fill in a claim for carers allowance for her mother. When she'd done it her answers had been yes or no like "Can she get upstairs?" She put yes. What she didn't explain was that her dad had to be behind his wife and lift each leg up a step then push her body up. It took 4 hours to fill in that simple form properly.

[CraftyGirl72]

I have been on Universal Credit since February last year (stress/anxiety resulting in heart failure meant I left my new job).

I was asked to fill out more forms in September and told I had a medical in January. Week before it was due they cancelled with no explanation, panic set in but on day of it I received a letter saying I had been awarded a lot more cash (limited capability for work and work-related activity) and was due a back payment.

After filling in more online forms a discrepancy was found, their fault not mine but my stress went through roof as I thought I was going to be charged with fraud! Result is severe chest pains again after 7 months clear of them and meds. Now BP skyrocketed to danger level and being pumped full of drugs that make me ill.

DWP have made my health worse but on a good note decision to write off error means I got to keep what was given in error and now have a huge backpayment dating to May last year.

Please try not to stress but do fight them. The whole system is a mess, the employees have no clue what is happening so can't help even when you tell 100% truth!

I expected to be kicked off and back working which I was aiming for anyway, instead they decided my health was worse than I thought then made it so!

Get advice and fight them! And good luck!

[bee2 in reply to CraftyGirl72]

Thank you, I will fight and have sent off an email to local Welfare Rights. I made the mistake of allowing another welfare rights person to fill in my form and thought as it was just a review it would be ok. The whole process always causes me massive stress and I have had to be blue lighted out of one before. So when I sit there my focus is on staying calm so I don't talk much. This time they had me doing leg exercises. Why I do not know but the result was a Sciatica flare up. 😰

[Qualipop]

That's completely normal. They have teenagers going through a tick sheet. YOu must appeal. HOwever take a look at the benefits and Work website before you do. The advice on here is incredible; hw to phrase yoru appeal, how to use the right words, how to get additional information. There is a fee for joining but trust me, it's worth it. I've used their help for 15 years now ( and 4 tribunals). The only time I lost a tribunal was when I got help from welfare rights. They were useless. CAB not much better. I had been on high rate care ane mobility of DLA for many years yetthey still turned me down. Stupid system. IT's no wonder so many people are dying while trying to deal with them. JUst accept that this is what they always do and get help filling in your appeal.

[bee2 in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you. I hate talking and writing about me to these people. Comes from years of wearing a mask and pretending my life was " Fine" until it imploded along with my health. Having to say things I have never told anyone except a psychologist brought on a heart attack. So now I feel gagged if that makes sense. X

[Qualipop in reply to bee2]

NO one likes doing it. I was on DLA for many years during which they only ever allowed it for 2 years at a time , obviously thinking there must be a miraculous cure. Every single time, being forced to focus on what you could no longer do was soul destroying. Simple things that you suddenly realise you can no longer do since the last claim or you don't do like everyone else. I would be quite happy that I could still go upstairs until I realised most people don't go up on their hands and knees. You adapt and cope but having it pointed out just how bad things are destroys you.

[bee2 in reply to Qualipop]

I have just signed up to Benefits and Work so will spend my afternoon getting to grips with it. Thanks to all for the recomendation xx

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Good luck.

Read their excellent guide it's about 80 pages long but it explains exactly how to fill in the 40 page PIP form.

I suggest you pace yourself and learn the magic words that you cannot reliably, repeatedly safely carry out tasks in a timely manner whenever you want. If your condition fluctuates write the answers as though you are at your worst.

I had an angina attack during my PIP assessment and the assessor stopped the assessment...she couldn't get out the house fast enough.

It is a horrible degrading process. It attacks your integrity as a human being.

Stay dignified and proud, remember you are absolutely entitled to the benefit.

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Did you have to have another assessment after your angina attack? I was told whilst being wheeled out of the room " because we didn't finish the assessment you will have to return" Two weeks ago at recent review I had left arm pain and sat cradling it willing the pain not to go into my chest. I was told I could leave but the thought of having to go back kept me there only to be stripped of all points. I have read through a good bit of the site and yes there is loads I should have said.. I will need to order up some ink and get printing . Xx

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I 've got sympathetic chest pain again reading your account!

I asked for a home assessment.

Wrote to my MP and said I was applying for a PIP and invited her on my PIP application journey!

The assessment was nearly over when I was in so much pain I couldn't speak. I got a text a few days later to say I had been awarded the PIP for 4 years.

It is like they are playing a very cruel game with you without telling you the rules before hand or changing the rules as they go along.

[bee2]

Too late for home visit unless I have to reapply. I am very wary of who comes into my home if I don't know them. All to do with past traumas. Yes it is a game. I am in Scotland and PIP will be taken over by Scottish Gov but not too sure how it will work. They have said they will do away with Assessment companies. I can only hope starting from scratch they might do a better job of giving people their entitlements with the stress involved xxx

[bee2]

That's what's needed. I noticed the guy ( not sure of his name) on The Last Leg on Frid night spoke about his ordeal at an Atos Assessment.

[Prada47]

I think the SNP Government will have to reduce PIP because everyone will be able to claim not just the Sick.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Thank you you made me smile......my poo and pants time is due later this year.....

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I was fortunate because the person who carried out my assessment was a nurse so she had some clue about angina.

Ask the assessor to write down their name and which healthcare professional register they are on including their Registration number.

They must give you this information if they don't note this down as it can be used in any review or appeal.

Make your own notes after the meeting as soon as possible.

Have somebody with you if you can and get them to make notes.

You cannot secretly record the assessment.

Keeping fingers and toes crossed for you.

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

My assessment was two weeks ago. I never thought to note her name. She claimed to be a nurse and knew about Cardiac, MH and Neurological issues and Also about Long QT syndrome that stopped me taking medication for my conditions. She noted I had been through a lot recently health wise and had a lot of reports to read.. result...striped of previous points. X

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I was originally turned down for my Blue Badge and Freedom Pass.

I appealed and won.

The assessment was carried out by an Occupational therapist who didn't have a clue about angina.

I quoted the Transport Act back at them regarding heart conditions and your ability to walk.

I also contacted my local councillor and of course MP.

All very stressful.

I wonder why any nurse would want to be a PIP assessor....perhaps they can't get a job in the NHS.....

[bee2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Or they get more money and a 9-5 job. But any nurses I have spoke to are against assessments. She only looked in her 20's Sure not old enough to know better than Prof Berry and my Neurologist x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Ah we both know what a wonderful doctor Prof Colin Berry is!