i am new to this so please forgive me if it's rambling. i am trying to claim PIP for my adult daughter with learning and mobility difficulties. She have just received a decision with a score of 0 points for everthing because she sounded really good on the telephone assessment! everything on the original form was totally disregarded.
has anyone else had this experience?
Hi absolutely the most stressful thing ever. Twice it’s ended up in a tribunal. First time taking away my sons mobility component which he had to live without for 2 years. Then when it was time for his review we fought tooth and nail and he won it back. My son has moderate learning disabilities. The very first assessment he had we both thought went well, but when the report came back he scored almost nothing even though the evidence was all there in front of them, so had to take it to a tribunal. He won the daily care component but lost the mobility part. Two years later when the re-assessment was due we were more prepared but still had to take it to tribunal. It really is the most difficult thing we’ve had to do, and probably will have to continue to do, even though this is a life long condition that won’t ever go away or get any easier for him. I have noticed though after the second tribunal win he is now on the disability register which hopefully might make things a bit easier for the next time. Hope I haven’t put you off. All I can say is make sure you have lots of evidence and stress how your daughters disabilities affect her daily life, and don’t give up, Good luck.
Thanks for the advice. My daughter is great on the phone and sounds much more capable than she really is. They seem to have taken everything she said and exaggerated it to make it sound like there isnt a problem even though the form and supporting evidence was all there. I am so angry with them.
I’m sorry to say but this is what they do, don’t give up, seek help and advice from CAB.
Thank you
Hi , yes I had the same with my son , I rang Citizens advise and made a appointment to see them , they helped me do a appeal, think have so long to log this , but I won my appeal , I understand u can’t visit CAB but u can still ring them , hope this helps ,
Thanks, it's good to know you successfully appealed. It gives us hope we will get there in the end
Hello missumaggie
No need to apologise - you are in just the right place to ask these sorts of questions.
What a difficult situation, it sounds like you really should appeal the decision.
Citizen's advice (CAB) have a lot of information on their website here -citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...
It would also be worth see if you talk to your local CAB about it.
Please also call our Learning Disability helpline for a chat with one of our advisors. The Learning Disability Helpline is our free help and advice line.
Our advisors are available from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday on 0808 808 1111.
Or you can email helpline@mencap.org.uk.
Best of luck with this.
Sarah
Thank you, I will send off for a mandatory reconsideration, I've heard they are rarely successful but fingers crossed. I will definitely ring the helpline!
Also really important to send them all evidence you have from school/ gp/ hospital and even a diary you write for a day/ week to show what help is needed. Lookup the 12 pip activities on google - so you can give evidence for each of those that apply.
Thank you for the encouragement.My daughter's Mandatory Reconsideration was successful. She has the standard rate. We are so pleased.
Thats Great!! I am now getting an Assessment of Needs for my Adult Son for Supported Living, as he needs to live independently as much as possible but Needs alot of Support & Social Skills too.
This will be the next step for my daughter. She has a boyfriend with physical disabilities and they are now thinking about setting up home together
Aww Lovely, yes keep strong & ASC is Assessor of their needs, i'm about to write everything down as it is hard when put on the spot. Best wishes to you & D. X
Hi
Hello, hope you are both well.
I used to get PIP without no worries due to physical and mental health. I always attended my appointments with support from family and filled in all relevant forms. Then...... It stopped even after numerous interviews etc. I asked why and was labelled a ZERO..... who labels someone a ZERO. We feel that number ourselves...... so who are they to tell us different. Since then I had to get a job which lasted 3 months due to my condition. I am not, even yourselves a scrounger or a bad person. My son is a Police Officer for Wrexham, so I have brought himself and his sister (a private day care worker) proficient values into this world. Anyway ranting over LOL.
Take care Karen
Hi KarenI'm so sorry to hear about this. It is so upsetting to be told you get no points when you are living with it every day.
Please try not to take the zero personally.
I am in little doubt that my daughter got a zero because of the Covid situation. I believe it was the standard response to a lot of PIP claims. Even if some of the people didn't or couldn't appeal then it saves money and effort for them!
Please don't give up, get help to keep trying if you possibly can (I know this is easier said than done).
Good luck and Best wishes
God yes we had same for my adult Son Learning Disabilities now also diagnosed ASD & Schizophrenia. Go to your council ask for the Learning Disabilities Assessor to help you, mine got me 8 points & we got PIP on a Mandatory decision as on appeal again. Now with these new diagnosis we should get Higher rate. Good luck keep pushing. Adult Social Care Assessment also good.
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