I had a brain tumour removed some years ago. I am about to have another operation to remove a tumour from behind my eye, which is rapidly taking my sight. I have been in receipt of PIP for a number of years, my forms were obviously looked at by reasonably intelligent people. My current PIP claim was initially refused by DWP., despite consultants letters etc. With my husband fighting my case (retired police officer, who enjoys a challenge) DWP did a u-turn before it reached tribunal. I could not have done it due to BI. The purpose of this post is to make you aware of a group called, I think, BENEFITS AND WORK. You do have to pay to be a member, but there is a huge document on there guiding you through every descriptor on the PIP forms, giving examples of how you should reply, etc. I can’t recommend it enough. My entitlement is ending in a few months time, my forms were submitted a few weeks ago. We used this document as a guide, and included things which had never occurred to us! We haven’t heard anything back yet, but as things haven’t improved…indeed got worse, hoping that they make a sensible judgement. Hmmm….I will say no more.
There are also loads of interesting reads on W and B, it’s not just about said form btw!
It is so hard to prove BI, even with copious amounts of evidence, when it’s an invisible disability, Good luck everyone, take care x
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Bellemare
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Hi thanks for posting I will check it out. I just did a PIP review as I had a TBI which left me with functional neurological disorder and complex PTSD. The forms freak me out as I know I’m like I am but they don’t seem to want to believe it! I know someone with a life limiting illness and medically retired from education and they gave her 6 points.. in total!
All this really really impacts my sleep and cognition. The system is very stressful.
I’m sorry to hear this. It’s an awful system to navigate. And I hope that this person has help to challenge the decision. You have to base your responses on your worst day, it’s so difficult when it’s an invisible illness, and Capitas employees either have no comprehension about TBI and ABI, or are told to be as obstructive as they can so that claims get rejected. It’s disgraceful. Not siding with DWP in the slightest, but it’s the same as everything…the minority (who are abusing the system.,..don’t start me on that one) spoil it for everyone else. Makes me so angry.
I hope that there is a positive conclusion with your claim too. Take care x
I feel very fortunate that I was awarded mine for 10 years without needing an assessment but feel this was due to having several medical reports to back me up. However my work pension I received when I was medically retired have been challenging due to the lack of up to date evidence. Some 15 years after my illness of TB Meningitis and my docs won’t resource extensive testing purely because my old work place believe that I may have magically recovered!
The stress that we go through at the time is made worse by the task of obtaining support that we are entitled to, being like pulling teeth 😡
Wow that’s an achievement, so glad they applied common sense to your claim. What a nightmare with your past employer….and what medical qualifications do they have, I wonder. It makes me so mad. I worked for Police, and eventually medically retired, one day whilst on long term sick, my high ranking supervisor, at a ‘get your a*** back to work you skiver’ interview, practically called me a liar in front of union rep. How I didn’t rip in to him, I most likely didn’t have the mental strength. And he had a police surgeons report in front of him as evidence, proving that I was genuine, What right had he got to make that assumption! I sincerely hope you have the strength and support to get what should be rightfully yours. Its stress and pressure that gets you down,
We always send copious of medical reports and letters, but have always had an assessment up to now. My disabilities arise from a brain operation, which I am due the next operation in the coming days. Totally agree the stress only compounds our disabilities.
Mads and Belemare thanks for your support. I spent three weeks in brain rehab and have lots of evidence from that time but as there’s nothing more to do they discharged me. It doesn’t miraculously cure itself in the years since.
I am so being judged and basically called a liar Which has f-my brain that I can’t even communicate with family, they’re hiding I think, as I go from tears to anger atm. Sorry but don’t they DWP get how devastating life is when you don’t even know yourself anymore. I used to work long days in education and raise my family. Now a cup of tea can seem like the biggest effort some times.
LouBL0u it’s so sad, but it’s true, our identity gets stolen. I was in hospital/rehab for two months. It’s tough isn’t it? . I totally agree that it’s tears one minute, anger and frustration the next, and that you can’t control it. It’s like grieving for your former life, and it hurts. It’s sometimes easier to distance yourself from people, there is no pressure then to try and be normal. I’m a bit of a recluse now, even with family. True friends, eased themselves away years ago. BIs are life changing and challenging. That’s why this group is brilliant, people DO understand and genuinely support you, and that means an awful lot. Take care my lovely x
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