Pip

[carol1964]

Going for a pip assessment on Wednesday,not looking forward to it,they appear to have a bad reputation, anyone had good/bad experiences with them?

[Hidden]

Me too i have a atos pip assessment on wednesday too im absolutely dreading it any help or advice please

[SteveHartnett]

Hi. Yes I had an appointment with them a few years ago now. It was very interesting indeed. The Doctor's first question was how far can I walk!!!! Being I was in an electric wheelchair that would be very interesting indeed!!! That where it ended!!! You will be fine just be "confident" Which I know sounds easy but it is the best way to be believe me.

Good Luck.

Steve.

[teadrinker in reply to SteveHartnett]

If this wasn't so true it would be funny. Sadly, I have heard too many stories like yours. Did your wheelchair develop some problems with the steering and accidentally run over his toes on the way out...?

[SteveHartnett in reply to teadrinker]

Hi.

Sadly no but if I saw him in the street I would "Run Him Over" "Twice & More"

I was speechless which is by no means very very hard!!!!!

No I'm not that bad really!!!!!!!

Believe that & you would believe anything!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve.

[teadrinker]

Never had to go through this myself, but wishing you luck. Have been thinking of everyone who has to deal with the benefits system today, having heard about Ian Duncan Smith's (sorry for swearing) latest plans to make everyone work regardless.

[Pam6971]

I'm one of the lucky ones, I didn't have to go for face to face assessment for pip, I did go for one for esa a few years ago, just tell them about your bad days, don't mention good days (if you have any), I was refused, once assessment was sent to me I read through it, they commented on how well presented I was (I wasn't turning up looking a tramp), mentioned I carried a medium sized handbag, (not much in it), just watch how you answer them, according to them I could cook a meal from scratch, (no chance of that), even hobbies were mentioned in report, my friend had pip one couple of weeks ago & was refused, they said she could lift her arms above her head etc, when they didn't even ask her, so just take your time when answering them & remember only tell them about bad days, will keep my fingers crossed for you x

[carol1964 in reply to Pam6971]

Thanks x

[mason in reply to Pam6971]

hi i am dreading having to go for the pip assesment i only have bad luck i have asthma underactive thyroid ,fibromyalgia an eating phobia i have had for 20 years i have a gastronamy peg in my stomach perifual neuropathy that is severe nerve damage to my feet .osteophorisis i fractured my spine twice last year my arms feel like they have been dipped in concrete and i have problems with my hands i keep dropping things plus an overactive bladder i am exhausted dont get much sleep i have a self propelled whelchair that i cant propell i would love an electric whelchair but cant get one i dont take medication as i get very bad side affects .sorry so stressed .

[Pam6971 in reply to mason]

Sorry to hear of your problems mason, but regarding luck I'm the same as you, only ever bad luck, try not to stress about the assessment, just make sure you tell them everything and keep your worst days in your head, it annoys me when people should have it are refused, especially when there's drug users etc who get everything, if it's a self inflicted problem then they shouldn't get it. The system is totally mucked up, we all have genuine pain every day through no fault of our own yet many chronic pain sufferers are refused it. x

[deejames in reply to Pam6971]

Once the system starts making judgements about self inflicted illnesses you could move into the realms of not helping the over weight or those who used to drink too much . Then there are those who do dangerous sports that resulted in disability. See what I mean . I doubt most drug addicts became such as a life style choice.

I have a blind friend who became blind because she didn't manage her diabetes. Should she not get disability allowance ?

The important thing is to improve the system for everyone surely ?

[Pam6971 in reply to deejames]

Majority of drug users abuse the system, as for your blind friend, hers isn't self inflicted, I know a few ppl with diabetes who have been refused pip along with a friends son who has epilepsy, I just feel the system isn't fair to ppl who through no fault of their own have something wrong and don't get the help they need, I've seen drug users offering their meth to others when picking up their carrier bag full of meds, theres genuine ppl being refused it, I have family members who have never worked, used drugs & get everything handed to them on a plate, whilst others struggle day to day, the system needs to work more for the genuine people

[deejames in reply to Pam6971]

The system needs to improve yes but what I am saying is no agency or group of people can start to make value judgements on what condition is self inflicted and who deserves it.

Sadly my blind friend did inflict her blindness on herself. She was told what would happen if she didn't manage her diabetes and she ignored the advice thinking it couldn't happen to her.

[Pam6971 in reply to deejames]

But the diabetes wasn't self inflicted, people do find it hard to come to terms with having diabetes, I just feel that drug users abuse the system, I have friends who have been refused pip and they are in genuine pain daily, a neighbour of my friends mother claims she can't walk far, lift anything heavy etc, she gets full rate dla, has carers going in etc yet I've seen her myself walking unaided, taking her wheelie bin out etc, it's the genuine people who suffer.

[deejames in reply to Pam6971]

Yes there will always be people who abuse the system and everyone has incidences that they have seen or heard about. It still doesn't mean its acceptable to make judgements on a whole group of people just because they have a common problem.

I'm curious as to how you would define self inflicted by the way.

[annebalto]

Hi, I had a pip interview about 3 months ago. They gave me this silly test, which had nothing to do with my problems. I'm in continuing pain, this was not understood by them. Needless to say I didn't get it. I appealed, but with the same result. More needs to be done to understand these problems. Not a happy bunny

[Pam6971 in reply to annebalto]

So sorry to hear they refused you Anne, I'm still shocked I was awarded it without a medical assessment, my friend who was refused has been in pain longer than me so can't understand them, keep appealing it, years ago when I was with my older kids dad his son got dla for spina bifida, he came to live with us, he got refused it, we appealed 3 times & eventually got it back for him, will keep my fingers crossed for you, hopefully they realise their mistake and award it to you soon. x

[johnsmith]

You need to read the 2015 disability handbook. Various voluntary organisations who work in the benefits advice field will have a copy.

Hope this helps

[Hidden]

Hi.

I will probably get told off for this but I never took my meds for a couple of days before so they could see me in pain . I don't recommend this(!) They will ask you to do a few simple exercises I refused telling them it will be painful and will have an effect on my condition. I told them I had to prepare myself for coming out by resting for a couple of days before and tell them about the aftermath of going out! They will need to know about the fibro fog and it's effect on you.

I was actually ask about how I manage when I open my bowels, so be prepared. I was lucky the dr I saw understood fibromyalgia . Answer the questions by relating them to a bad day.

Good luck

Ali