Newbie. PIP review, going to tribunal, has anyone else had this?

SnickerDoodles

Hi,My name is Nikki, I'm not sure where to start, for the past 5 years or so I had been getting pip up until last year when I had a review and all of a sudden I'm cured of all my health problems despite taking 19 different medications,I did a mandatory reconsideration but after 9 months of not hearing anything, I contacted them and got several different excuses of why I hadn't heard anything so I had to do it all again, its now gone to the tribunal stage and still waiting for a date to be set, the dwp sent me 366 pages going back 20 years,I broke down when I opened it, I gave it to my son and he has found multiple inconsistencies in what the assessor wrote down and what I said in the assessment, I asked for a woman which was ignored and had a very dismissive guy that made me feel wortless by the time he finished, has anyone else had this? It's very stressful, I've gone from a size 20 down to a size 16 in the last year through stress and worry.

Albus_Scope

Hi there @SnickerDoodles and welcome to the community.

I'm so sorry to hear how you've been treated by the DWP, that does sound very unfair and stressful. I'd say please try not to worry too much, the tribunal is a world apart from the assessment, the people there are there to help you and were all very caring in the two tribunals I've had to attend. 

SnickerDoodles

Thank you for the reply, its good to hear that it could get better, I just wanted to give up when the dwp sent the 366 pages but my son said that's what they want you do and just trying to bury me in paperwork, he's now down as my representative and is dealing with it for me because I just can't cope with it all.

Albus_Scope

I totally understand how you're feeling, it really does feel like it's an endurance race to claim these days, but you're doing the right thing by not giving up. It will get better.  

SnickerDoodles

I asked why they stopped it despite my health issues getting worse and they never give a clear answer,they just kept repeating the same paragraph, I've lost the independence I did have, I have to wait for my son to be free from work to take me anywhere.

Nashota

I had something like this happen to me, I was awarded PIP mainly based on my mental health in 2014, I did get points for physical as well (mobility), was award enhanced for 5 years, I had no treatment in between as what I had tried previously hadn't helped, I had my review in 2019 and the HCP cured me of all of my mental health conditions and tried to make it about my FM, the report was disputed by the DWP but Capita request the GPFR from the wrong  medical centre which there was no excuse at all for as the details were on the form and had been confirmed with someone via phone, it took them 2 months to rectify the issue by which time my award was running out, the case manager decided that she'd go with the assessment report and lowered my PIP. I did an MR which of course failed and then appealed with the help of an advice centre, my decision was then overturn without needing a tribunal by I believe the DWP but there were still certain things that they wouldn't acknowledged even though I'd scored points in the descriptors previously.

I have a PIP review coming up, I think in August, I am dreading it but I'm more prepared this time (I hope) and have typed out answers to each question and will get someone to check it all sounds ok closer to the time.

It's very stressful and impacted my health a lot. I hope everything works out for you.

SnickerDoodles

Sounds like they put you through the mill, try not let your upcoming review stress you out too much,easier said than done I know, I had someone help me with the descriptors etc and dwp still shot me down, I have 8 different health problems and because my conditions are managed I think that's why I'm being penalised. I wish I didn't need the financial support for my health, I used to be so active and was outside all the time riding horses which ive done since I was 2 but my health has took all that away. I miss the old me.

Nashota

Thank you, I'm trying not to, I'm making sure everything is typed out in advance so I can go through it and adjust it if needed and as I said, closer to the time I'll ask my advocate to check it for me and an advice centre that I've found, I'm not letting them fill my form in though, not making that mistake again, I just want to make sure what I've typed out is fine. 

I feel the same, I used to go for 8 mile walks most days, now I'm lucky if I can go around the block.

Who knows with the DWP and assessment companies. I had to appeal ESA twice, the last time they caused me lots of stress and anxiety because I asked for a female HCP due to the nature of my mh conditions, they admitted to booking them with men all but once I believe, so they'd cancel, this went on for about 3 months or more, it's was silly, they were also trying to assess me off a 4 year old form, but Poppy advised me to ask for a new one, which I did and because they'd messed up so much, they allowed me to fill out another and send it to them via email, I ended up having a paperbased assessment and was moved to SG.

I hope everything works out for you.

SnickerDoodles

I was at my copd review today and my nurse has asked would I talk to a social prescriber,I have an idea what one is cus she's concerned with the amount of time I spend on my own and help with my social anxiety, as well as prescribing more meds for my copd,not sure if this would go in my favour with the tribunal. I'm fortunate to have a great copd nurse.