PIP makes no sense.: I reapplied for PIP not... - Headway

Headway

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PIP makes no sense.

pinkvision profile image
31 Replies

I reapplied for PIP not expecting anything as I have basically recovered. I had my last neuropsychology check/test before the PIP assessment and they found a cognitive glitch. On the back of this the DWP have awarded me PIP with more points than I had when I was really ill. I don't get it, I will not be complaining.

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pinkvision profile image
pinkvision
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31 Replies
FlowerPower62 profile image
FlowerPower62

Weird! Really good to hear you consider yourself recovered though, great news. What was the cognitive glitch, if I might ask? Also, who does the neuropsychology check, us that your consultant from when it first happened?

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to FlowerPower62

Hi the glitch was in processing spoken information, then being asked questions on it by another psychologist, then I was asked to read the information that was initially given, I'll admit the reading of it made no sense to me at all. I was advised to socialize to increase information processing in a group setting. I seem to have no issues in the real world however.

The neuropsychology test was done by my local NHS brain injury service, it was the head consultant with a few clinical psychology students on a neuro specialization aspect of their training. It was a completely random and short process, not like the testing I had done before which was long and rigorous and lasted for months.

FlowerPower62 profile image
FlowerPower62 in reply to pinkvision

Thank you. So glad you got pip, it will come in very useful I'm sure! X

cat3 profile image
cat3

OK Pink - it seems yours is not to reason why. If they've decided you qualify (and with knobs on) then who are you to argue ? 🤔😦...... x

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to cat3

I won't argue but it seems so unfair, so many people on here get a desperate time with PIP, I did in the first instance and had to go to the CAB to do the claim and my MP's office when they said there's nothing wrong with you. Hopefully when the ABI Bill consultation period gets finished it will be different for people.

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to pinkvision

I hope so, although I guess the leadership change will have slowed proceedings ; maybe next year ? All manner of health conditions are underestimated and dismissed. I've needed support from CAB and local Welfare Rights, both of whom accompanied me to court with successful outcomes.

People shouldn't have to suffer the stress of being disbelieved on top of serious health issues....

Plenty profile image
Plenty

Pleased you have been awarded PIP.

I've previously spoken to a lady from CAB about PIP and first thing she said was "with PIP you have to go to tribunal every time"

Being advised to socialize to increase information processing in a group setting sounds like a good idea - without overdoing it.

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to Plenty

Thanks, thinking about it I have spent 99% of the last 5 years within 2 miles of where I live, I live in a rural location with not many people around, so I suppose it makes some sense really, but within my personal and physical boundaries I am 100%. I shall take the plunge and socialize. I do socialize with horses that I help to take care of but other than a whinney when they see you there's not much to and fro with conversation.

Pairofboots profile image
Pairofboots

Hi. There does seem to be a change in PIP, I don't know what. My last reassessment was by phone, and they as good as told me what was wrong with me and up my level. Very odd. Like you, I'm not complaining. I'm glad for you, and that you are doing well in recovery.

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to Pairofboots

I did talk to a DWP manager during my last reassessment phase after Capita kept cancelling the appointment. (I wrote about it in a previous post where I was awarded £100 from the capita complaints process). The DWP manager did seem to be aware of the ABI Bill concerns and how their process did not seem to take into account the various symptoms of brain injury. So may be there is something going on behind the scenes. It will be interesting to see how others get on in this process as the months unfold.

in reply to pinkvision

The same thing happened to me as Boots i was lucky enough to be awarded Pip straight away after my accidentat the time it was an in person interview, my reaccessment was 8 weeks ago with Capita by phone and like Boots i got awarded more .Nothing had changed from when i i first applied i still had the same issues so its one of 2 things either i got a better Capita girl who understood better or DWP are actually taking brain injuries more seriously.

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to

Interesting

in reply to pinkvision

How i found out is that they backdated the new payment to last November and i wondered why pip had sent a payment to my bank account so i phoned the pip line and she said id been awarded a higher rate and they'd backdated it and it would be for 10 years and then only a mini accessment nothing like I'd previously had it definitely leads you to wonder when i first applied i wasn't allowed to drive so things were more difficult

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to

So there may be something going on, Hmmm lets see what others have to say

in reply to pinkvision

The girl at pip said that id been given the enhanced rate because they wanted to make sure the right people were getting it so maybe they're recognizing brain injuries more we wait and see

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to

I'm glad you got sorted.

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70

I applied for PIP two times and I have got only 6 points based on my ability to make a journey to reach a place,I have memory loss and I cannot travel by myself otherwise I get lost and I don't mix easily with people.They said that I can talk and walk ,I don't have mobility issues because it was a brain aneurysm and I don't have any paralysis.It's a

complete nonsense awarding people with backache and not survivors of a brain damage

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to daisymay70

Totally agree with you daisymay, did you get a PIP award after the appeal process?

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70

Nope, they've refused both of times

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to daisymay70

Oh dear that's not right. Ok daisymay, you should have all the medical evidence to confirm your condition, have you had a neuropsychology assessment? If not get a referral from your GP. Next get an appointment with the CAB or another organisation or charity eg stroke association, mind etc (put a post up on here asking people for what organisations they used to get more ideas) and start your process again. This time however ask the people from the organisation to fill out the form. They know how to word the forms properly.

Make sure you have the medical evidence.

Get referrals if you have not.

Phone the DWP saying you want to reapply. (you may be able to get this back dated if it gets awarded, let them know you intend recover the losses)

Also apply for UC with a disability element form.

Get an appointment with an organization to fill the forms in for you.

Make an appointment with your local MP surgery to discuss the issues you have had with the DWP/PIP given you have had a stroke.

For face to face appointments with your GP, helping organization and MP take someone along with you who knows you and can describe the changes in you since the stroke.

It may be a bit of a struggle but start the process and keep us all informed on here, we may have shared advice and different options that you may not have thought of. We care about you and will try to help you sort this out. Stay strong, never give up.

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70 in reply to pinkvision

My Gp already told me,I have a complex neurological condition and they don't have knowledge to assess me properly.Stress can kill me

Skulls profile image
Skulls

Get referrals?! What is the brain injury service by the way? I think I am going to have another battle on my hands as I am and have not been supported. I don’t think I shall have any difficulty claiming for mobility but then again I might…. The NHS just wants me to go away and die. Maybe I shall.

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to Skulls

The brain injury service is what my health authority provides for people with brain injuries. They have limited funds however and usually only consider serious brain injuries, for mild and moderate injuries there is no funding. Unless however you get a diagnosis from a centre of excellence like the Walton Centre in Liverpool, where they show shock that there is no provision for such injuries and write stinking letters to the health authority concerned, who then quickly jump to attention an provide a service, although still very limited. I found that ranting got me no where so I applied the polite complaining method which seems to bear fruit.

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70

I had 4 Neuropsychologist tests ,a letter from my social worker,evidence from scans and medical report as neurologists,depression lasted more than 33 years...the point is that the assessment is in the hands of physiotherapists,not real medical practioners or consultants,so they are allowed by the Government to decide who's disable based on the way people can move around,but invisible disability it's not recognised

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70

Sorry it was 3 years in depression

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to daisymay70

I think you should still reapply and also go to your MP. The problem with brain injuries and depression is that the depression is used as a cover to hide the brain injury symptoms. The ABI bill, which you must mention to your MP is meant to address issues like this among others. A symptom of stroke is depression not the other way around, the other symptoms are valid. You have the proof, your neuropsychologist should also support your claim. If you have a good MP this issue should be cleared up. Why should'nt you qualify for PIP others do.

daisymay70 profile image
daisymay70

I don't believe in politicians,so I will never ask for help.I just keep with my diet,walking and gardening and I am happy and relaxed anyway

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to daisymay70

That's good to hear.

Butterfly28 profile image
Butterfly28

it’s good to hear that eventually you were awarded a PIP. It shouldn’t be the struggle it is.

I am helping my sister with her application- we are partway through but it’s a familiar story. Rejected initially after a 20 minute phone call assessment. A case of basically as my sister could talk and answer questions there was nothing wrong with her cognitive skills and depression wasn’t evidenced in the phone call (despite her only just having started anti depressants).

We got CAB involved in the mandatory reconsideration- was told the descriptions of her difficulties in the application were inconsistent with what the telephone assessor “observed”. We have contacted her MP and he seems willing to take her case up. In the meantime we are proceeding to an appeal which isn’t going to happen soon - our application was lodged July 2021.

CAB told me that 80%of applications proceed to appeal. Really - that should be the exception and not the norm. It shouldn’t be this difficult and stressful.

pinkvision profile image
pinkvision in reply to Butterfly28

Hi, no it should not be a difficult process at a stressful time, it should be a mandatory award after diagnosis. Glad you went down the CAB route, strange how the difference in perspective and language paints a different picture. Glad you also went to your MP, it brings in the checks and balance to the process which has to be taken seriously by the DWP/PIP process. Good luck for the appeal.

A few people in the comments are finding that there seems to be a bit of a change in the points and awarding system so there they be a change in attitude going on behind the scenes of the DWP. It may have something to do with the ABI Bill.

Georgiab123 profile image
Georgiab123

don’t blame you enjoy it think of the time you were porley

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