PIP: Has anyone ever scored 0 points on... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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PIP

30 Replies

Has anyone ever scored 0 points on this after a transplant?

30 Replies
Yuiop profile image
Yuiop

Hubby has assesment in a fortnight. Should have been yesterday but he had clinic. I would be mortified if he scored zero. He's a million miles away from getting up at 7-00am, out the door for half past with a lunch made up, and doing an 8hr shift!

GrandmaDylan profile image
GrandmaDylan

Has this happened to you? I've applied for pip after putting ot off for the last couple of years. I rang them yesterday to tell them that I'd forgotten to state that I have a blue badge. I asked the advisor if it was standard to go for a face to face and she confirmed it is. I am really anxious as I had to have a face to face for ESA and the so called medical professional out right lied and it was denied. I had to go to court and I won as I told them that she had deliberately written things that I did not say. It was a horrible experience and causes untold anxiety and stress to people who are poorly and unable to work. I'm 59 and if they hadn't raised the retirement age to 66 and a half I would be due to retire next January and wouldn't live in fear of the brown envelope coming through the letter box.

Yuiop profile image
Yuiop in reply to GrandmaDylan

I know, it's a lot of stress just thinking about it. As long as you tell them your worst days you will be ok. Bad days and worst days, because by god there's not many good days!

Dogbot profile image
Dogbot in reply to GrandmaDylan

I am so sorry to hear about your journey with ESA and I wish I could tell you a better story but I have Arthritis both kinds and Cirrhosis off the liver, had to go for a face to face and the so called professional there scored me 0 and I have to walk with a cane. I am in the process of going to court, the very best of luck to you but I think you will have the same journey.

in reply to Dogbot

Thanks Olly,

My issue is PIP based and not related to ESA. The assessment report was fine and I agree with it. It goes to the DWP who allocate the points based on the information in front of them.

The score contradicts the assessment, I have a guess why, but it is only supposition. I have already appealed and am anticipating to hearing the logic behind how they possibly came to the conclusion. You would score more for an ingrown toenail.

GrandmaDylan profile image
GrandmaDylan in reply to Dogbot

I hope your tribunal goes your way. It's horrible that we have to go through this process. Deb

Hmm

PIP can be hard to get there are loads of bad news stories, but a lot win with diligence.

I could never getting anything other than Employment and support allowance as having a house with no mortgage buggers most thing as they all say sell it, then I could become homeless and get support!

The best is to seek advice as answering the right question with the right key answers can help a lot.

Not a lot of help!

in reply to

PIP is the non means tested one to help with your diagnosis, you can get it regardless of your employment situation. I was told to claim by social services in my, paid off, house and I was working from the same house.

The ATOS interview was fine and I agree with the assessment. The DWP awarded me zero points. I think I know why but can’t say here, it is supposition. I had a liver transplant.

in reply to

Well I have learnt something, mind you most of my applications were while I suffered with HE so could have been confused!

Anyway I have just got my pension so that's that for any help,

in reply to

You can in theory still get PIP, I could do income draw down on my pension.

in reply to

I have only my state pension as I had an invested fund and in the crash it lost 80%

So cashed it in and bought my midlife crisis, which seemed a good idea as at that time I did not think I was going to last long!

in reply to

That is the problem, when is the rainy day?

in reply to

I just put the roof up and consider it as cash if I need it :-)

in reply to

I regularly check the forecast at the Royal Free.

Adelou profile image
Adelou

Hubby can't even get ESA before or while he is recovering after his transplant . The only ESA they will give him on what they call virtual ESA it's pays his NI & pension contribution and that's it.. He has nothing to live on for 3 years...we were told it's because I work more than 24hrs a week

in reply to Adelou

Adelou,

That is simply not fair, do you have any right of appeal? He should qualify for PIP, well unless he comes across the individual who made the decision that a transplant gives you zero points, contrary to the ATOS assessment.

Mark

Adelou profile image
Adelou in reply to

Had letters of support from consultant and everything and still said no

In a previous assessment and appeal he was tired down because he could lift an empty cardboard box and was told at the appeal by the so called doctor that because he could do that he could go and work in a factory packing boxes....this was while he was ill, suffering with HE & umbilical hernia

in reply to Adelou

Maybe Katie’s advice is helpful?

Adelou profile image
Adelou in reply to

Bit late now as hospital has said he can go back to work if he wants but still suffers with fatigue

The other issue is that they say he doesn't have enough NI contributions .well you wouldn't would you of you haven't been able to work for 3 years.

It's the same old story with DWP, refuse those that are in genuine need & have worked since they were 16 & reward those who are not and healthy yet never worked a day in their life like his cousin who seems to have another baby as soon as the youngest child starts school

We get by

in reply to Adelou

Adelou,

So the NI contributions on Virtual ESA, are not counted as class 1?

Mark

Adelou profile image
Adelou in reply to

Not sure I'm guessing not

We had to reapply the month he was having his transplant, didn't get asked to go for an assessment, just the same usual reply

in reply to Adelou

They most likely have an adviser at the transplant hospital, I would arrange to see them. I will look into the Class 1 question.

in reply to

ESA contributions are class 1, point this out. You should get the payment backdated, in theory. Good luck, ask the hospital advisor.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

My hubby scored zero at face-to-face the week before his liver transplant assessment (and listing) - crazy stuff. Pack of lies written in the assessors report - took to appeal tribunal and got Enhanced Rate Daily Living and even some points for mobility. Next time round after face-to-face he got Enhanced Rate Daily Living and Basic Rate mobility even though he is currently delisted and back at the watch and wait stage - recently reviewed on paper and continued receipt at same level.

If you are still having issues post transplant and know that you should score within any of the descriptors you should appeal - get help from local council welfare rights team to put together your request for mandatory reconsideration and appeal.

Katie

in reply to AyrshireK

Thanks Katie, I possibly have worked out why I got zero points, the assessment was fine. I can not say here, as it is supposition.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK in reply to

Our first face to face was horrendous, ATOS assessor ( a supposed nurse ) was aggressive with me and didn't want me to go in with hubby, she made me sit way behind him so he couldn't even look to me for support. She wrote an absolute pack of lies.

I wrote a huge letter completely debunking every lie she had told in request for mandatory consideration but it got knocked back.

We went to appeal just as hubby had been listed for t/p and had the success as stated. 2nd time round no issue, much more pleasant experience and outcome.

He got ESA (Support Group) no bother on paper even though I am self-employed. I just need to prove my hours and earnings.

I now use the guidance from Benefits and Work website to complete paperwork so that I can quantify and qualify every point. ESA (Support Group) and PIP both recently renewed by paper assessment only (although now only on the virtual ESA - NI contributions only due to recent receipt of an inheritance which has put us above the savings threshold so sadly having to work through that before we'll return to ESA and Housing Benefit).

It's terrible that genuinely poorly people have to battle for the help they so desperately need. If hubby didn't have me he wouldn't have even known where to look for benefits advice or help, wouldn't have been able to pick up the phone to apply and would most definitely not have been able to complete the paper work which has taken me literally full days to sit down and write.

Katie

Yuiop profile image
Yuiop in reply to AyrshireK

Spot on Katie, if I wasn't here my poor hubby would have just rotted in hell! When people are genuinely poorly they can't possibly manage all the letters, phone calls, appointments etc, when they can't even look after themselves. Both me and hubby still have to get the medication book out 3 times a day just to keep thing right! And I still supervise him, guaranteed he gets it wrong every time! Grrrrr!

GrandmaDylan profile image
GrandmaDylan

I made an appointment to do my pip application with welfare rights at my local library. We ran out of time and I needed to fill in a couple of pages and photocopy every thing. Even this caused me untold anxiety and sleepless nights. It's really not for the faint hearted but I do feel that I should be entitled to it.

pip-lit profile image
pip-lit

Hi, it is very common for people to get 0 points, no matter how disabled you are. I once supported someone who got no points for mobility. Apparently the Health professional had how she got to the assessment centre. She said ' I got the bus, then walked'. She was given no points for mobility as she could walk over 200 metres. In actual fact the claimant had taken 45 minutes to walk the 250 metres, having had to have about 15 stops on the way. She arrived at the assessment centre both exhausted and racked in pain. Untruths are so common on the report sheet that it makes my blood boil. For PIP application, you need help filling in the form, advice before the interview and someone to go with you to the assessment. You need a thick skin too, and not to be put off.

Good luck

in reply to pip-lit

Pip,

Thanks for that and I did indeed, follow all the advice you have suggested. The Atos assessment went well and I agree with the report. These then get sent to the DWP, who award the points, based on the information in front of them.

I have a good idea why the points were given, contradictory to the assessment. But it is supposition and therefore I cannot mention it. I have already appealed.

Mark

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