Just been turned down for PIP, thought I would get the lower element at least for mobility. Problem was in part at least I think that the assessor didn't seem to understand my conditions and how the symptoms can affect people.
I know its getting tougher to get but has anyone recently been successful on having their claim looked at again?
Thanks
In any case, appeal the decision. I think the timescale is that you must do that within 7 days anyway. Go on the Benefits and Work website for how to go about it. I think Susan Mills can advise also. Remember, it is not how you are coping now but it is the worse case scenario that you must present to the assessors. good Luck!
Hi Jenny, unfortunately I can't give you any first hand advice as I am fortunate not to have to apply for a PIP for myself.
I used to work in an advisory role, sometimes dealing with benefits, for the local authority. At the time we actually had an officer dealing with welfare rights who would help with appeals and tribunals but with funding been withdrawn they are only available for the vulnerable now. I have found this website which offers useful info. regarding appeals:
advicenow.org.uk/guides/tur...
I have seen many decisions overturned in the past. Get as much help with the form as you can.
If you can get help from citizens advice (although they are stretched too)
Good luck.
You could also give dwpexamination.org a try for help with claims and appeals
You must appeal, we can send you some info and guidelines. if you send me your email address by message .
Susan
Telephone them and get a copy of the report that the HP completed. You will then know exactly what they wrote and where you were given points or not.
Good luck
when you send in your appeal form you could put something like -
I wish to appeal the decision as I feel it did not take full consideration of my condition and the affect on my life.
Please contact me, by post, for any further information you may require and I will try to provide it.
Please send me a copy of the decision.
Having just asked for a reconsideration to my 4 points, i am now to write a letter stating why i think its wrong. I will start my letter with your words hamble99b if you dont mind cause I can then have a starting point. God it took me long enough to complete the form as I couldn't find the right words to put down.
My husband was refused DLa and so we appealed and went to tribunal but it went against him. We then applied for PIP and got advice and help in filing the forms in but still didn't receive a penny. We gave up after that.
I am waiting for my dision how long did u have to wait im not holding my breath
Hi Cedric
I sent in the forms at the end of April, had my assessment 2 weeks ago and have already had the decision so from what I expected a much quicker process. Good luck!
I had my assessment 26th june so I could be hearing soon thanks for getting back to me my mobility is poor what is your disability if u don't mind me asking
I have dizziness/balance problems which are neurologically based, the impression I have is that if you have a rare condition you're at a disadvantage. I hope you get a good result
Dear Jenny,
I don't know if this directly 'translates', I suspect not, but here 'goes' anyway.
I had a 'back to work'/'assessment' interview, about eighteen months ago, at the local Jobcentre Plus. I had already lodged an appeal, against being put on the 'fit for work' list, when this interview came up. I approached Headway Essex, the Brain Injury Charity-that I attend, and the manager had agreed to assist me. I also took along my mother, who is my primary carer. Initially the lady, doing the assessment, was unhappy, at me having 'an entourage'-however, after Andy (the headway manager) spoke, she reluctantly agreed.
To begin with she was 'giving it large', the usual speech/spiel about the Government's intention to get people back into work-you know the one. She then tried to 'look me up', on her computer-only to find herself unable to access much information. Clearly, what she did find, altered her perception/position somewhat. At this point she, more or less, had to ask me-indeed us all-for further information.
Following a speech, from Andy, regarding the nature of brain Injury. This, coupled with my mother's input, and my own comments as well, completely changed this woman's attitude-I mean totally! I was NOT being 'forced' back to work, 'they' were simply concerned that I might be at a 'loose end'-you understand. Perhaps if I couldn't work, maybe something voluntary, might be better-my best interests put first, you see? After all, they're not 'ogre's', after all-simply trying to help, someone less fortunate, caring is there role, after all! If I could have recorded a 'before and after' speech-it would have been hilarious, if it wasn't so sad. Anyway I was put on the Support Group and have not had to have a 're-view' since.
As I said I don't know if any, of the above, is helpful, to you but do read it, just in case.
It only remains for me to wish you good luck, and assure you that our best wishes/prayers are with you.
AndrewT
Thanks so much everyone for your comments some really good advice there
Hi Jenny,
A couple of years ago I too was turned down. I then got my local Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) involved together with my MP and asked for the case to be re examined while also preparing an appeal.
In the original judgement, they put the wrong illness and I was then awarded my PIP plus I got a slight increase !!
So my advice is get your CAB involved, they are very good at this sort of thing.
Good luck.
Thanks for this, the CAB filled in my forms for me and yes I fully intend to appeal.
Since I posted my PIP question I have been awarded 0 points from my ESA medical and have just received the report, this has taken my priorities away from the pip appeal as I am furious. I was assessed by a young physio who was so out of her depth, she called my vasculitis vascular disease in the report and has failed to name any of my other conditions correctly, I have such complex and rare conditions and I am furious that she for one assessed me and not an experienced doctor and feel if she didn't understand why not admit instead of insulting me and deciding in half an hour that I have never been ill enough to deserve esa.
I have written a furious letter to my MP and to the DWP and will wait to hear, all set to try us I think.
Thanks for the advice and nice to know they do overturn decisions. Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Luckily (?) I did not have to go for an interview. I just sent in the papers and waited and waited. I then go the letter telling me that I have failed. So I asked for the full report.
My papers were looked at by a nurse and she said that I had arthritis, where in fact that I actually have Polyarteritis Nodosa. For people in our situation the papers should be looked at by a doctor at the very least, but really a specialist who knows what our illnesses entail.
Looking at the calendar, my three years is up later this year, so I guess that I will have to join this 'circus' once more.
As well as using the CAB, get as many letters as you can from your specialist/s and GP to accompany your appeal.
Let me know how you progress.
Peter
Thank you Peter, I will let you know how I get on. From what I understand everyone on DLA/PIP is being reassessed and like you say we should have specialist doctors but from my 2 medicals it was evident that that is not the case. If you live in Kent, I assume you do? There is a new PIP assessment centre just opened in Tunbridge Wells. Jenny
Hi Jenny, how did your appeal go?
Hi Hamble
Thanks for the message, yes I won. I found it all very stressful and in retrospect totally unnecessary to have to go through that but what a difference to not have that stress hanging over me.
There was a doctor on the panel and he really understood what I was talking about instead of trying to explain my conditions and how they affect me to someone who didn't understand.
I am actually hoping to somehow get back to work but so nice not to be under pressure to be forced back before I'm ready.
Thanks for asking, Jenny
Glacially slow tapering continuing
New Anti-viral treatments are here!
What after 12 Weeks (at least)?
Symptoms seem to be increasing but change hourly , daily ,!
