PIP rejection

[oscarsgran]

I have just been rejected by PIP, no points, this system isnt fit for purpose at all, ie I said I stopped in bed reading to wait while all the cramps had eased, gave me nil points on reading and understanding etc the list goes on. My life is half the life I had 2 years ago, all activities really cut back, isnt that an impact on my life? Any suggestions?

[oscarsgran]

Thanks for that, no mention of the IBS element of Fibro that had been a massive issued, now been rediagnosed as Mocroscopic Colitis so will appeal.

[Hardyboy196457 in reply to oscarsgran]

Hi I can’t believe that ok every symptom no matter how small get out on paper did they come to you to do the assessment at your home ? Tell them you are unable to travel remember what is it like on your worst day you have to appeal surely you must be suffering from mental health ??? Good luck

[oscarsgran in reply to Hardyboy196457]

Hi was a telephone one and half the stuff about fibro not talked about, will have a look at an appeal

[Adlon57]

Good Luck! I was rejected 2 years ago, because I could walk more than 50 yards? They changed the goalposts! I was on PIP before then. They seem to have their own rules in different areas of the UK [ps don't move to Northern Ireland!] Like yourself my health is worse than it was 2 years ago, but I have retirement on my horizon?🤞🤞

[Blackwitch in reply to Adlon57]

Get help! I can’t stress enough that you need to keep a diary, collect all GP and consultant letters and take them to a professional for help completing the forms. As long as you start your claim before you’re at State Pension Age (66 at the moment) they take it from the date of first contact. Keep going, it will make so much difference to your life. My PIP award was due to end on 28/2/22. I am 66. After spending last week phoning, getting cut off, being put through to various people who obviously didn’t want to speak to me, then being told my case had gone to Capita, I was so stressed. Speaking to Capita and being given such a load of rubbish gave me the extra strength I needed. I phoned PIP again. You have to be prepared to hand on at least 30 minutes. Again I was cut off but at last spoke to a really genuine and caring woman. She said she didn’t know why my case had been passed to Capita, told me she would immediately give me a 3 month extension, request my case be formally transferred back to PIP. She said she would read through everything (even for my review, I’d sent a booksworth of evidence) and ring me on Monday which she did. She asked me a couple of questions and gave me a 10 year award, higher for care and mobility. Don’t give up….,miracles do happen! 🙂

[Adlon57 in reply to Blackwitch]

It's patience I need with them which I am low on at the moment, thanks for advice👍

[Blackwitch in reply to Adlon57]

I can understand that and it shouldn’t be the case that we have to fight for our rights. It doesn’t help that there’s so much negativity about people who claim benefits. People with disabilities are NOT scroungers. We claim for extra money we need to help us cope with every day life. I’m lucky as my husband is my full-time carer and I’ve been saving for a stairlift so I don’t have to crawl upstairs on all fours.

[Adlon57 in reply to Blackwitch]

Even my GP is amazed at the amount of 'benefit' I get, literally scrounging from day to day, I have got a sister around the corner but now got a returned son to 'look' after? Claustrophobia means I MUST get out, every day more pressure on the mental workings, inside!

[frances8a]

I have struggled with fibro/ ME and arthritis fir over 10 years. Applied for PIP 4 times and rejected . The 1st time I scored 1 point below getting it. I think it was 11. Since then I have scored zero every time. All of my conditions have got worse over the years not better. I was 65 yesterday , last year had one more go at getting pip. I never even got an assessment and truly believe my application went nowhere because i was almost 65. Cant get state pension , cant get pip or anything else. Living off a small private pension that is less than state pension because I am expected to work until am 66. It's all a disgrace! 😡 good luck with getting help. x

[Maggie1920 in reply to frances8a]

Its awful the way ones are treated. Ive had fibro plus ibs an d ulcer and arthritis in my hands im on sick but my sick pay is very low i get pension but its hard to live on that because of cost of living. Im terrified to put in for attendance allowance because so many people get turned down. Plus my drs aren t helpful.

[oscarsgran in reply to frances8a]

Its terrible. I know people who lead normal lives, going on holiday, able to shop all the time and walk the dogs who have got PIP. Things I said to say how bad I was have been used as a positive, like having to stay in bed for a couple of hours reading until pains and spasms subside, I am fully cognisant due to this, never mind the fibro fog when up and about.

[Chance15 in reply to frances8a]

Hi there if you are retired you will not get pip.Have you tried atendance Alowance u can get that if ur of retired age.

[frances8a in reply to Chance15]

No I have to wait until I am 66. I hoped to retire at 60 like many other women born in the 1950s. You cant get pip once you reach 65. Thats why I said I had one more go last year.!

[Blackwitch in reply to frances8a]

State Pension Age is 66. You can still claim before that. xx

[Blackwitch in reply to frances8a]

Frances8a. Please don’t give in. Get the proper help with the forms and give it another shot. I’m 66 now and my PIP review was due to end on 28/2/22. I sent the paperwork back last April (yes, 10 months!!) I was absolutely certain they were just going to ignore it until my award ran out and then say I couldn’t have it because I was in receipt of my State Pension. I pestered the hell out of them last week. I even managed to get my paperwork sent back to DWP from Capita and by pure luck it got into the hands of a lovely woman who actually cared and took the trouble to read it. There and then she gave me a 3 month extension and said she’d ring me on Monday morning. I was really hoping nothing happened to her over the weekend but she rang me, asked a couple of extra questions and awarded me 10 years of the highest rates. Now, fibro is just one of my problems. I know how difficult it is to put into words how it affects you but please get help and try again. Don’t give up because of your age. I thought I’d run out of fight after 10 months of hell I thought I’d give it one last attack. It absolutely wore me down physically and mentally but it paid off. Please give in another go but get everyone on your side, get every piece of evidence you can and get help with the form. Keep a diary, never write ‘sometimes’. They need to see the words that tick their boxes. It’s not a fair system but you can do it. I also wrote to my MP about how unfair this system is. Not that I expect any reply. Please don’t give in! Nic xx

[jb007]

Sorry to hear this. Try appeal, good luck. Waiting to hear about mine.

[Ghostielady]

I had exactly the same. No points they said that my meds were working- they're not and that basically there's nothing wrong. It's so stressful they don't give you enough time to get the forms back to them (took nearly 3wks to recieve the form in the first place) then it takes so long to get an assessment (mine over the phone) the extra stress of waiting too and then they make you feel like you are faking.

[oscarsgran in reply to Ghostielady]

Yes and I am very positive so probably played things down.

[Blackwitch in reply to Ghostielady]

It doesn’t make any difference what meds you take. What would you feel like without any. If you have brain fog, how does it make you feel? Does it make you self conscious, anxious, nervous, disorientated? Do you have days where you’re too exhausted to dress or don’t eat. Does it cause you problems when you go out? Can you go shopping? If you can, how does it make you feel? Can you do activities safely? If you do certain activities, how do you feel for the next few days?These are just a few things that people with fibro experience. Unfortunately, they are mostly invisible to others so you have to tell them and describe how it makes you feel. Don’t forget about your senses! Smells, sounds, eyesight and photosensitivity. They may make you feel nauseous or give you headaches. (I can’t bear to be in crowded places). Combine that with brain fog and you’re living a nightmare at times. That’s why you need to keep a diary as well. If you’re not 66, keep at it, however tiring it is. Remember, even if your first contact is the day before your retirement age, your claim runs from that date. Keep copies of everything. I think I’m on a mission now because this system is so unfair. If I can get it so can you. It took my review 10 months but on Monday I was givens 10 year award. Don’t let this beat you. Take care. xx

[Farmerboy]

Hello, a lot of advice and opinions are posted about PIP. Having been a subscriber to Benefits and Work for many years now and read up all their literature about going about how to claim PIP and wording your answers to get the best impact and result from your assessment I am sure has given me and others a heads up on the PIP assessment procedure. Any claimant new or a person submitting a mandatory reconsideration must give as much factual information in relation to each of the descriptors activities as to why you are unable to preform each one safely and repeatedly and in a timely manner. Giving examples of what does or has happened each time you try or attempt each of the descriptors. PIP is not awarded on a disability or diagnosis or the amount of prescription medications your prescribed. Solely on your abilities to function and preform the PIP descriptors as per the PIP regulations.

[Blackwitch in reply to Farmerboy]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 Exactly! Benefits & Work saved me but there are places that give you free help as well. 🙂

[Farmerboy in reply to Blackwitch]

You can join Benefits and Work for an annual subscription they have offers on sometimes of 20% off I joined and downloaded all relevant ESA and PIP information for future reference and reading.

[Cotswolds25121]

Sorry for a late msg to reply to you. Life bla bla bla tiredness along with work and being a carer at work and for Mum, almost 94, not asking or saying this for pity. Just stating facts how most people are living their lives. I sent an email to my local mp who has responded after a few months and I have yet to reply to her because although it’s a subject I responded to from another member of our group, to put the dire circumstances of how we read yet again and again about applying for PIP. I personally have had it! Yep, given up before I have attempted to claim it because simply put it’s made impossible before you get started.Believe me I’m not a defeatist but PIP people you win

[Blackwitch in reply to Cotswolds25121]

Please don’t give them the satisfaction. I felt just the same but on Monday, after waiting 10 months for a decision on a review, I was given a 10 year award! Don’t let the 🤬 win. Take care. xx

[Cotswolds25121 in reply to Blackwitch]

Hello Blackwitch, thank you for your msg of support. I am so pleased for you that you have‘finally’ got your award and for a decent length of time too and you won’t have to go through it all again too soon🙌As with any chronic conditions unfortunately it’s not as if it’s going to get easier and miraculously improve so I am so happy that you have been awarded the 10 years 🤗thank you for giving me the boost I need to find the strength to apply. I know in my head that I am entitled to it. It’s the thought of facing it all that is overwhelming me. I hope you have a good day and know that you have helped me today 🥰xx

[Blackwitch]

Remember that not all disabilities are obvious. Mental health problems can devastate lives, as can fibromyalgia. Perhaps a motorbike was the best way to get around on their own. Dogs can help people with disabilities in all sorts of ways, can be someone’s only friend, stroking cats and dogs has been proven to lower the heart rate and lower stress levels (they also need walking). People with other problems, eg ulcerative colitis need to be near a toilet. They cannot use public transport and a car can be a life saver. Please try not to compare yourself to fellow benefit claimants as you don’t know what they’re going through. The only difference may be that they persevered with a claim, collected evidence and asked for help. 🙂