How to win your award

CockneyRebel · February 2018

There is no guaranteed way to receive the award you deserve

It does not matter whether you are making a new claim, a change from DLA to PIP, a re-assessment, an MR or an appeal. At the moment the only way to receive the award you deserve is to prove that you meet the criteria for for an award.

We see so many people on the forums that do not understand what is required, who then blame the system for not giving them what they think they deserve. Rightly or wrongly PIP is not DLA and the two are very different.

PIP is a test of functionallity not condition. All the medical evidence that you have this or that condition will not mean that you qualify for an award. It is 100% up to you to prove that your functionallity is affected to which ever degree fits the descriptor and then back it up with medical and other evidence.

More is not always better.

If you send in the equivalent of "war and peace" as evidence, don't expect the DWP or HCP to read it. Send only relevant evidence that attests to your lack of functionality. If you do have a lot of evidence, then include a summary and a reference to where the best support is by page and paragraph.

Many of us with long term conditions are used to managing and hiding how we are affected. This is not to your advantage when applyinng at any stage. You need to become the you that does not have these coping mechanisms in place. Sucking your belly in to impress a girl does not work.but you will fool the assessor and lose what you are entitled to.

Forums are full of tales of injustice, of HCP's that lie, that make stupid assumptions. HCP's are taught how to ask question, much like sales people, to gain a specific answer. No it isn't right and often a false result is recorded.

We are all conditioned to reply in the positive. " how are you " "I am fine thanks " .

When asked can "you do x" we will reply automatically "yes but " that is to late the assessor has closed the window at yes

Try and reply "no but " the assessor then has to explore further

Try it in every day life.

Yes the deck is stacked against many people but with a little knowledge and understanding of what is going on we can achieve what we deserve

Yes there are HCP's with an agenda, yes there are HCP's that will fail even a corpse. The system is far from perfect, because of cuts there is little in the way of help

CR

wilko · February 2018

CR, thanks for being so honest and blunt with you description on how to improve your chances of winning your PIP award. One lady lost her award because under her hobbies she said I do knitting sewing and art, instead of saying , I used to do, I wish I could still do, I can't do this any more. I used to go on walking holidays now i'am stuck to a mobility scooter. Not saying to lie but be up front with how you struggle in daily life. I referred her to Benefits and work site and weeks later was informed her award was reinstated.

Misscleo · February 2018

Well said everyone.
When we feel under presure and every joint hurts "i feel fine" gets rid of the questions in everyday life.

We then forget that we have to behaviour differently sometimes to show how we really feel/are

charlene · February 2018

To true Cockny Rebel. You have to give the computer/assessor 100 per cent for trying. At the very last few minutes my assessor asked me if I could sew. During the exercises she could see I had problems with my right hand, and I had stated I had problems with washing and handling a towel! My honest reply was no. Also ask me if a male I didn't know came into the room, could I strike up a conversation with, nooo! I take it that was asked as I said I could,t plan a long journey etc.

[Deleted User] · February 2018