PIP assessments must go

sarahbadr

As others have said, PIP assessments are extremely stressful. I have an incomplete spinal cord injury and every few years have to explain to yet another assessor that this is permanent and will not improve. My last assessor was employed in a spinal injuries unit and was very understanding, but the assessor I had prior to her left me in tears. Her message was, despite the innumerable ways my disabilities impacted my life, basically I wasn't that disabled and she cut my PIP. I didn't appeal on that occasion because the idea of doing so was even more anxiety inducing. The next assessor, who was knowledgeable about my condition, basically undid what the previous assessor had done and even got me back pay. If assessments are necessary, assessors should have a background in the condition(s) of the person they are assessing, however, in the first instance GPs and medical professionals familiar with the person and their conditions should be the first port of call.

Strawberry1

Bless you @sarahbadr , I'm so sorry to hear how your first assessment went. This is typical of them they have no compassion whatsoever 🙄. I'm so glad the second assessment went better for you . They don't treat people with the respect they deserve alot of the time. They do make people feel so incredibly stressed and they don't care . So pleased your second outcome was better.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @sarahbadr 😊 I totally agree that PIP assessments are incredibly stressful and that they make no sense when a condition is lifelong and will not improve. My Mum has MS and she had to go to tribunal to get PIP last time despite the fact she's only getting worse. It's a frustrating system but I'm so glad that you had a positive outcome in the end.