Welp, it finally happened. The 'you are INVITED to apply for PIP form' came in the post, a good four months before my DLA award is due to stop. As I'm currently waiting to see my new rheumatology team and I had no time to prepare for the PIP application (as well as the horror stories I've heard and witnessed first hand with how people are refused the PIP), I decided I am not going to apply for it. It's a huge blow to my income and independence, but I simply can't face the assessments, the lies, the stress and the inevitable tribunal to fight for the benefit.
So, apparently the way this works is if you decide not to apply, they stop your DLA award early, even though it's not scheduled to stop for months. Mine was due to cease in October. They're stopping it next week. And that means I have to send my powerchair back in August. I'm furious...but I'm also resigned. It's framed as something I 'chose' to do, but when the option is flare from stress or retreat and save oneself, I'm not sure 'choice' is the right word here...
I honestly considered trying to crowdfund a chair but everyone does that, it's such a common thing nowadays I think my pleas would be lost in the aether. It's a sad state of affairs that it comes to having to beg strangers for necessary equipment.
I don't really have an option right now. The hope is maybe we can save up for a powerchair in a year's time or so. But that's a year of very limited mobility. I'm honestly trying not to think about it.
Just needed a whinge, really.
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Silvergilt
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This is really sad. Are you positive about PIP? It is hellish but with a Welfare Advice Officer from the council filling in the form I made it from DLA to PIP. Oh, and a nightmare assessment, too, but they love to make you give in.
It's your decision though, and I wish you all the very best indeed x
Off NHS? I don't qualify - the criteria are ridiculously strict. I was told if I could walk to answer the door when OT came I wasn't badly off enough for a chair! So much for that.
I can be emotionally worse off by far, which I choose not to do. It isn't just hearsay either; a woman I used to speak to online was killed by the stress and hounding. One of many. I won't be one of those people. I don't deal with stress well, and over the past six years even the sight of a brown envelope makes my heart rate skyrocket. I've been made to feel like a fraud. Subjecting myself to even the possibility of a bunch of lies by a stranger would end me.
I completely understand how you feel about not wanting the stress of claiming PIP!. I made a similar decision recently not to claim ESA again after losing it for same reasons!. It seems so awful in your case as you need mobility help badly , so if you want to change your mind citizens advice or dial would help you fill in the forms and help you appeal if needed. But with them inside I don't think it would come to that and would minimise some of the stress!.
I'm sure a lot of forum members would agree with me that we'd help you with cost of power chair as you've been such a regular on here!.. It's also worth seeing if your local lupus uk branch could help you too!. X
Hi Silvergilt, I totally understand where you're coming from with your decision. My pip was awarded till Feb 2018 & recently I received a dwp letter with an reassessment date for a couple of weeks ago, about 9mths before the end of my award! My heart sank & feelings of defeat before I'd even begun the process started to weigh me down. I decided to take a different approach to & tried to stay level headed & take each knock back as it came. First assessment they wanted me to travel to county Durham! One & half hrs by car & since I don't drive & cldnt sit for that long without pain the journey wld have been longer & stressful. I decided to put the stress on my local MP. She took the case away from me & e-mailed Atos. I finally got a home visit for the assessment. I'm now waiting for the decision.
I'd found the home visit easier to let the assessor see how you cope & what aids you have to use. Example, I had my walking stick & litter picker by the coat stand etc. It was easier to remember how I struggle with my day & what aids & help I use to help me get through the day. My sister was with me & she answered the door, she got anything else that was needed & saw the assessor out. Pleased reconsider your decision. Don't let them make you give in, that's what they want. Take any help that's available to you & get what's there to help you live your life.
If my award is denied I'll be bk on the phone to my MP. They have lots of medical info from my medical team, they've seen how I cope & our condition will not improve. They use these tactics so we will give up & not fight them! I want what ever yrs I may have left to be as good as possible. Think I've gone on a bit of a rant there. But Silvergilt, you deserve this money & it's your means of getting about. Think about the struggle with out your mobility scooter. With you already been awarded DLA you may find you won't have to have an assessment. Please fill in the forms, or at least phone your MP & make sure your medical team are aware of the stress atos are putting you under. Good luck & I hope you find the strength to apply. You may be surprised at the outcome.
You can always re apply later if you feel you can. I can understand your feelings but remember, all the horrors stories you hear are only a portion of applicants. Those who successfully apply probably don't feel the need to post about it. I applied for my transfer from DLA to PIP and, though I was scared about the process, it turned out to be not as frightening as reports portray, well, for me anyway, but I was successful with an indefinite award. I did consider not applying but I am so very glad I did.
All the best wishes to you and if you do, at some time in the future, benefitsandwork.co.uk is an incredible site which guides you through the entire process. What to say and what not to say!
Hi Silvergilt, If you decide to reapply let your local Welfare Rights Officer help you fill out the forms (they can be found at your local council office). Someone from the team will come to your home and get all your details to put on the forms and if you need to appeal they will do it for you and even go with you to attend an a tribunal if it is necessary.
Make sure you put your consultant's secretary as the person to contact for medical information and not your GP.
Praying you will apply and be successful. God bless.
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