Can anyone help I applied for PIP on February 24 and was declined with zero points awarded, so I then asked for a reconsideration and have just received a letter today saying it has been declined again and I have again been awarded zero points. I am struggling with chronic fatigue and my cognitive ability is not good. I have had to reduce my working hours and my husband does all the financial bills and general household chores as when I finish work I am so tired I am unable to do this. I feel invisible just because they physically can't see my struggles, and I am working 22 hours then I'm ok. Can anyone advise me I'm thinking of appealing but not sure what it involves.
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chrissycornwall
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Hi Chrissy
Can you prove you have had a brain injury e.g. neurology diagnosis, neuropsychology diagnosis etc?
Do these say your brain injury is causing fatigue and cognitive issues?
If yes, do these cause problems with daily living?
If yes again, phone the DWP back and say you want to start another appeal.
Tell them directly that the DWP was supposed to have changed their assessment criteria by now and people with brain injuries should also have their neurological conditions considered. PIP assessments only consider psychological and physiological criteria and neglect any neurological issues.
Ask to have your paperwork passed to a section manager for reassessment and it must include an assessment of your neurological conditions.
Make sure you remind them that in 2021 Gillian Keegan announced to parliament that 'all public institutions were failing people with brain injuries.' The DWP is included in that list.
I have had a few conversations with DWP managers about this in the past and they know that the DWP should have changed their assessment criteria by now and because this has not been done yet, they have to consider the effects of neurological conditions because the current assessment does not do it.
They really do know this, but you have to push the point across and make it clear that you also know. Don't be afraid of these people no matter what they say.
Tell them that if they don't do this you will be going to your MP.
See what they say and if they still don't award you PIP go to your MP.
I've done this and once your MP is involved the DWP crap themselves because they have to defend themselves. That's where the statement to parliament hits home, it's says the DWP have to consider the effects of brain injury because the current system has failed to support people with acquired brain injuries.
Don't be afraid, tell them directly and you should be OK.
Thank you for replying, on my medical note it says about my subarachnoid haemorrhage. I am being referred to the chronic fatigue clinic and have had loads of blood tests to rule out anything else. Also, have a doctor's appointment to ask them to refer me to neuropsychology. When I came home from the hospital after 7 weeks and getting sepsis I didn't notice the effects as my family became my carers for the year. Now I am at work and trying to do everyday things it's impacting everything. Although I'm not sure how to start the appeal process do I have to wait for the medical evidence?
Yes, appeal. Get ALL written evidence that you can gather. Ask ALL of your doctors and specialists for letters of support due to the appeal. They will supply them. Make certain that when the appeal date arrives they are in receipt of ALL of that has been gathered. Eventually you WILL win, even if your case goes to a tribunal. I did, I won. Spend an hour or two contacting everyone and ask them for letters, it will be worth it in the end.
As others have said keep going. Get the medical evidence, you can also submit letters describing the impact of the brain injury on you from those who have had to help you. Involve your MP. It feels like a battle but you will get there.
The best advice you have been given is tha from JPBeeves above - get CAB involved. They are trained to fill out the applications and know how to ask and answer the questions, you don't.
When you are asked about any individual moment or daily event tell them only about the worst times. If you pick an average that will be taken as the normal. Don’t feel embarrassed, they don’t care. They have targets which are essentially to minimise payouts.
I’m in the same place as you . I did get it for 3 years now im waiting for a tribunal .. this has been going on since January 24 .. I send evidence regularly as I formation on my daily life .. which is the same as it was when they said I was wasn’t entitled to it .. I’ve got statements , medical records, the fact that I’m on waiting list . Privately I’ve also seen neurologist , neuropsychologist , upto date MRI , balance physio ,, and they have all of these details plus I’ve contacted our new local MP who I will be meeting with .. the system is appalling but please don’t give up they need to understand head injuries how life changing they are and from what I’ve seen again from Pinkvisions reply to you they do know this is so terrible wrong .. your name as Cornwall in it and if that is where you are living which I am also in Cornwall the neurologist are all from Derriford and doesn’t exist in Cornwall .. please private mess me if you want to know more .. but don’t give up .. it’s a fight and has made me feel terrible but the old stubborn bit of me survived the TBI and m going to the tribunal when it eventually happens . Citizens advice and a Cornwall charity also will help with the forms .. my problem was they spoke to me and gave interpretations of what I was saying … and still don’t believe me with the written statement from the actual questions they are using what I said against me and there total lack of understanding TBI is what is wrong .. total ignorance from them .. Sue 🥴
They provide excellent guides and advice regarding PIP and other benefits.
And if you can, buy membership as their PIP guides are very detailed and have definitely helped me with PIP and other benefit claims. They guide you in how to answer the questions properly to prove your case.
They have helped lots of people get PIP that had previously been turned down.
It's helpful to apply for a Headway brain injury card. We included a photo of it as evidence of brain injury in our son's PIP application. It is also classed as an 'aid' so we referred to using it when having difficulties communicating, taking public transport etc etc
Hi Chrissy I feel for you, im in a similar position. I can only manage to work 11 hours over 3 days. It literally wipes me out that i have to sleep when i get home and then rest of day is gone. I feel im just here, because i dont have any physical issues that can be seen, i must be ok. I havent even tried to apply for PIP just dont have the energy to try. Youve done well to apply, just keep going like everyone is saying
Sorry to hear of your struggles Marleyboo. I was in a similar position. For quite a number of years. I started a PIP application then cancelled it as couldn’t deal with it. Eventually, I had contact with a Citizens Advice agent on their chat function and she helped start me off with my successful applications and then finding benefitsandwork.co.uk website really helped get me over the line.
You initially get a month to fill in the PIP form but you can contact them and get extensions before the deadline if you’re struggling. I know some have had awful experiences but I always spoke to helpful respectful agents who were sympathetic and understanding.
If you’re able to just start and allocate a bit of time each day to complete the form and or have a family member or friend support you, I recommend it, so you can get the support you need. Definitely use benefitsandwork.co.uk.
Definitely appeal. I had exactly the same as yourself, zero points first then asked for a reconsideration and still got zero points. Id sent medical letters, GP letter, medical legal report from a neuropsychologist, diary from family about help and care needed, prescription for all medication including anti-seizers, continence, mood, pain etc... and still zero points.
I've honestly had a medical professor read my medical notes before seeing me for an appointment and when at the appointment he actually asked me "how are you even still alive?"
but PIP - not even 1 point! unbelievable.
So I went all the way to tribunal where 3 people looked at the same evidence and awarded me PIP.
Hi just read your post. Have you any appointments with a doctor or consultant. Need to have all the evidence as it’s so hard to get PIP without evidence in writing now.
Yes your right. My daughter has OI (Brittle Bone Disease) was born with it type 3 and has had disability and pip since 3 as her condition wont heal and wont change. High rate mobility and low care component, which i feel was correct for her as she uses a wheelchair and has more mobility issues than care issues. She wants to be like everyone else and work for a living so got herself a good job. She used her mobility money to get a mobility car which was adapted with hand controls. She could actually be independent which was great. But its only for 3 years so this last assessment pip desided she wasnt disabled enough, apparently her disability has cured itself and they took her mobility component away and her car. Which means shes now not independent, lost her confidence and then lost her job. Well done government. This is another reason i dont bother cause i know the system dosnt work.
I got zero points too and gave up. Basically because I can walk about 200m unaided I'm as good as gold.
I had six months off work, lost my job, was unemployed for six months, went from having savings to being massively in debt. Had no idea about PIP until I was classified as recovered. I guess my fault for being a lone wolf.
Thank you all for your help. I have a doctor's appointment this month, and I am going to ask for a referral to the neurologist. Can I get any sort of test for my short-term memory and cognitive ability? I have been referred to the Chronic Fatigue Clinic, but I'm not sure what medical information I need. What about all the info from when I was in hospital from the consultant who dealt with my Subarachnoid haemorrhage? Can anyone advise me on what evidence I need to collect? Thank you
Definitely appeal. I have had to go to a tribunal twice, my brain injury happened in 2022 but on Wed 11th Sept I had the second tribunal and I couldn't believe won full enhanced rate, both parts for 3 years. My husband thought it was a total waste of a day off work for him beforehand as I've always scored 0 points. Couldn't believe it. My advice would be to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau to get help filling in the form. Also we were truly shocked that there was an ex neurosurgeon on the panel this time. Not sure how this worked but I am very grateful 🙏
I managed to get standard rate after 3 applications, and the first two applications were both appealed and subsequently denied.
I think the third time I actually didn't even fill in the form - I'm not sure if they used a previous form or just waited to interview me, I couldn't stay awake for the interview, but I knew it was booked. Still I can't remember what she said..
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