I was refused PIP and had my DLA stopped.
Ive had 3 brain haemorrhages and 1 stroke but im made to feel like im swinging the lead.
Ive been turned down for a manditory reconsideration and the next stage is tribunal.
Im feeling like im not going to win
That is bad news. Sorry to hear that Spidey.
Am so sorry to hear this spidey. Make sure you emphasize the difficulties that you are left with because that is more likely to help you get the PIP benefit. Recovery can be varied after the haemorrhages and strokes and some people can have an almost complete recovery but others left with brain damage of varying degrees that can affect their day to day activities of daily living. Good luck and best wishes.
FIGHT! Appeal the decision, get testimonies from your doctor, specialist, etc. Anyone you can think of. They WANT you to give up. Fight and keep fighting, you will win eventually. I know, I did...
If you want ant help, give me a yell
Andy
Thanks Andy but i think its in the lap of the gods
Go to the tribunal, but before that date, get as much evidence together as you can. The DWP were laughed out of court at my tribunal, it was all over in five minutes, literally.
Don't be despondent, go in there guns firing, you WILL win
Ha! No Social Services certainly are not Gods! They too are under pressure and the system is working. The problem stems from the fact that the questionnaire does not score our type of problems at all! I scored '1' on mine... But alas one has to find the energy/will power for the process and I do sympathise with you as I have still not appealed mine and we are in financial straits. So let's go for it eh?
Tribunal is where most people get justice. They lie about what you said at the face to face unless it is recorded. Keep on at it and you will win. Good luck.
What people tend to do is to make things seem worse than they are to convince them
It isn't fair when you deserve the benefit and people are lying in the UK to get it Making up illnesses and everything!
I have to apply for PIP soon and I'm quite worried as I know a few people who have had the benefits taken of them are The benefit has been significantly reduced!
Like Baron said get your evidence together get organised to prepare so you can win the appeal
Have you spoken to citizens advice? They will usually help and represent you if you need it at tribunal. Keep going!
I'll probably be echoing this soon, spideyman I've just had the letter saying that 'we have all of the evidence to process your claim' from PIP. (I know, I submitted the evidence...)
The cynic in me says that the 'mandatory reconsideration' is a tactic to influence people to give up on their claims. I personally don't believe the TV-documentary angle that there are perfectly healthy people sitting at home, watching TV, when they 'could' be working, it's more of a disconnect between how we 'learn' to work around our difficulties making us appear more functional than we actually are.
Yes, I 'can' 'prepare a simple meal' by microwaving a bowl of soup, but quite frequently I end up playing "What's that smell?", and finding a bowl of hairy soup in the microwave. I 'can' walk to the bus-stop, but I very regularly stop to 'tie my laces' (on my slip-on boots) when the vertigo, or tremors overwhelm me, (I'll 'lose' points on the 'balance and co-ordination assessment' for not actually telling her I needed to stop, just telling her it was REALLY uncomfortable...)
The systems have been tightened to weed-out the supposed cohort of 'bad back' and 'a bit of depression', it's deeply unfortunate that some of 'us', with documented brain injuries are being dragged through the mangle as well. My last mandatory reconsideration was declined, and I didn't have the brain-space at the time to take it to tribunal, I'll do it this time if I need to, and urge you to do the same. It's horrible detailing how not-OK we are at times, and that puts some people off, don't let it put you off, none of us are asking for the moon on a stick, or for anything we don't need; none of us want to 'beg'.
It's unbelievable isn't it? I'm very sorry. Echoing what everyone else has said, don't give up. Prepare well for the tribunal. Get good re presentation from someone who'll accompany you. Gather indisputable evidence. Keep a diary of symptoms and the effects of your disability. I even know someone who kept a video diary to present at tribunal.....they won. It makes me despair when I think of the money wasted on MP second homes and business class travel, fact finding missions to other countries, and then the cuts to our Heath and social services. Something's wrong with the way things work. Wishing you lick at the tribunal and an overturn of their poor decision.
Sorry that should have said luck. 
My daughter is 27 and has severe epilepsy and dystonia she was on dla and was then transfered to pip but she failed the assessment scoring zero points on everything which was ridiculous. She ws turned down on the mandatory reconsideration so i took it to tribunal. I submitted a letter too advising that as funds were limited we could not afford to pay to get the medical reports but respectfully invited the panel or the dwp to apply for this evidence they did not read the paperwork or the letter until the morning of the tribunal but they rang and advised they would be adjourning the tribunal in order that they could apply for the medical evidence. A new tribunal date was set soon after and again on the morning of the hearing we got a call to say we did not need to attend the panel had received the medical evidence and were satisfied that she met the criteria and the best bit was she ws awrded at an enhanced rate.
Do not give up please hang on in there. When you submit your tribunal app the dwp have to do the same and you get a copy of all there reasoning behind the decision. My daughters was ridiculous all they put in was that she did not need supervision when showering as she could sit down in the shower (its a shower over a bath) totally flawed as if she fits and blocks the plug hole she can still drown which is what i pointed out. The panel found the dwp reasons were ridiculous and this on one pointer only.
Good luck and let us know how you get on xx
Go to tribunal with supporting letters from your Dr, Neurosurgeon, Stroke specialist, Neuro Psychologist, if you have one. They expect people to just accept their decision. Most people that go as far as tribunal win! Good luck xx
spidey you live alone, you look after yourself, you cook your own meals, you can wash and shower yourself, youve done a world record absail walked the great wall of china and youre complaining because youre not being transferred from dla to pip.
Since doing those things ive had a stroke and i pointed this out to you last time.
I dont need negative comments from a moron like you.
Now dont comment again on my posts and bugger off.
Ive realised that steve55 must be on the PIP panel
My reply was for steve55 not you oops
Why be nasty you don't know his situation just stop please no need of it
Bless you I had a stroke and several Tia's. I am fortunate that I am living a relatively normal but slower life. People think I'm totally recovered but I'm not and they don't see the effort it takes to maintain the life I do have. I feel for you and know only too well the struggles we can face in recovering from stroke. Keep at it don't give up and try and get as many people on your side as you can. Xxx
Apparently we have to over exaggerate our disabilities and what we can and cant do which I think is wrong! As I have tried so hard to get my life normal yes I probably do need more help than I admit but I just get on with it' i am always tired never have energy don't have time to rest!
My family think I am in denial about my disabilities because I just get on with life but that's how I cope! I have had them for ten years so Im quite aware that I have them!
I have been told on my next DLA application to exaggerate and lie in order to get what i deserve
Have you been told this?
I feel like if I do this I will be giving up on me and who I am!
Good luck with your appeal let us know how you get on! 💚
Don't wanna be negative but I didn't get PIP either but got employment and support allowance it's not much but helps a bit I'm the sane worked all my life wanted a little help and a big fat no
How far along the appeal process did you go?
I didn't I was weak but wish I had as at the interview it was almost like I would get it it's just not fair
Do it I will help u all I can
You see as someone said earlier that most people who go as far as a tribunal end up winning. Im not going down without a fight.
I never asked for head injuries and im not missing out cos some witch (mentioning no names TM) has decided im not going to make a fuss and must be swinging the lead
It's not up to tom it's up to you you know how much it affects your life keep at it ignore the haters m
I did get ESA AND that's only £20 less every 2 weeks so not too bad I'm doing ok
Apparently I make caring for my husband with TBI struggle free
PCS - General Wellness
