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PIP ASSESSMENT

Tigermoth42

Hi all, just thought I’d pass on a snippet that I picked up yesterday which might set some people’s minds to rest, albeit a little. A close friend of mine works nights in the mental health sector and, last Thursday, he had a bank (temp) nurse working with him. During the course of the evening they were chatting, like you do, and she told him her day job was as an assessor for the DWP. Chatting further she revealed that they have targets to meet when assessing claimants and that they have to fail people in order to achieve this. My friend asked her whether she felt bad deliberately failing people and she dismissively said “they can appeal”. My friend said she had no sympathy with those people she was assessing, I guess we’re just faceless entities to them, numbers on a bit of paper. I’m totally disgusted to hear this but it serves to confirm what I read in a report and I, for one, think the DWP need to take a look now at how these assessments are being carried out.

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Tigermoth42

Hi @Shlbly, sorry to read you lost your higher rate indefinite dla, so many are. What’s the point in awarding someone something indefinite, which presumably means they aren’t going to get better, then take it away at pip (I know that the criteria for pip are different) and assume that you might miraculously improve. For me, my spine isn’t going to heal itself any more than my arthritis will vanish overnight and I seriously doubt my mental health issues will whoosh off into the ether either, given that I’ve struggled most of my life. I have a grabber, I might try using it for toiletting needs and cooking ?can you imagine the mess as I wield it about! Great letter from your mp, I really wish you all the luck in the world with your appeal this time around, do keep me posted. I had to take my motability car back yesterday, the people at the garage said so many are returning their vehicles - oh but btw Motability have a special offer on a new Volvo, fully loaded for only £199 deposit, they take the cars off you, squirrel away billions and make offers that the dwp won’t allow you to take up. As my husband is fond of saying, the system is FUBAR (f***ed up beyond all recognition) xx

Shlbly

Tigermoth42 said:

Hi @Shlbly, sorry to read you lost your higher rate indefinite dla, so many are. What’s the point in awarding someone something indefinite, which presumably means they aren’t going to get better, then take it away at pip (I know that the criteria for pip are different) and assume that you might miraculously improve. For me, my spine isn’t going to heal itself any more than my arthritis will vanish overnight and I seriously doubt my mental health issues will whoosh off into the ether either, given that I’ve struggled most of my life. I have a grabber, I might try using it for toiletting needs and cooking ?can you imagine the mess as I wield it about! Great letter from your mp, I really wish you all the luck in the world with your appeal this time around, do keep me posted. I had to take my motability car back yesterday, the people at the garage said so many are returning their vehicles - oh but btw Motability have a special offer on a new Volvo, fully loaded for only £199 deposit, they take the cars off you, squirrel away billions and make offers that the dwp won’t allow you to take up. As my husband is fond of saying, the system is FUBAR (f***ed up beyond all recognition) xx

Hi @Tigermoth42 was on higher rate DLA from 2007, then Atos took that away in 2012, only had my second mobility car for three months, what that must of cost! All reinstated three months later, but again made me very ill!
All my illnesses are degenerative, ICD 10 recurrent depressive disorder moderate to severe mental health, had diagnosis for this since aged 4, trying to get resiagnosed with this as NLP/Hypnotic therapist I am seeing says it’s PTSD as many other therapists I have seen. It’s the fact that the assessor lied and didn’t put anything he had been told down. Like you have arthiritis in back, neck hips, knees, hands, feet, and not going to miraculously get better, plus other illnesses that affect this, like hypermobility, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, trigger thumbs and fingers, tetany and the list goes on. The reason the grabber was mentioned on nearly every page of his cut and pasting on my assessment, was because I had told him I had managed to get a pair of light pyjama bottoms on once, it took me 45 minutes with my home assessment lady present from K.E.A. Word of advice don’t use the grabber for toilet needs and cooking, it doesn’t work believe me! ???
I am not doing an appeal, I am putting in a new claim, as had new diagnosis’s and three referrals back to mental health in nine months. Even they are useless, my Dr wrote and said about my suicidal thoughts re what was going on with benefits, they have wrote back to her and told me to go to CAB! It has gone to PALS now as I do attend mental health groups when I can, and they have helped a lot. Yes my mobility car went back last October, I kept it for the extra six months as thought it would all be sorted, but no, took 9 months for appeal, had a small amount of savings and a friend has lent me money to buy a car, which I am paying back monthly, I find it very hard to drive it, so have to rely on friends taking me in it to appointments etc. Love the saying your husband says, will have to use that one. ?? lovely talking to you, and yes will keep you posted. Take care ?

Jaytbm1

It is beyond belief the way this whole process has panned out . It certainly isn’t giving help to the rich people as Theresa May is fond of saying. I despair for the future sometimes, I am awaiting my appeal and will keep the group posted, am considering withdrawing it because have heard that you can lose the award you already have . Not sure what to do yet, but on the whole this process is definitely not good for your health . Makes me wonder if it is designed that way . Good luck everyone facing assessments, MR and Tribunals xx

Shlbly

Jaytbm1 said:

It is beyond belief the way this whole process has panned out . It certainly isn’t giving help to the rich people as Theresa May is fond of saying. I despair for the future sometimes, I am awaiting my appeal and will keep the group posted, am considering withdrawing it because have heard that you can lose the award you already have . Not sure what to do yet, but on the whole this process is definitely not good for your health . Makes me wonder if it is designed that way . Good luck everyone facing assessments, MR and Tribunals xx

Good luck to you too, don’t give up I know it’s hard, but that’s what they want. I attend mental health groups and everyone, even ones with physical disabilities is getting this, either money cut, or forms didn’t arrive etc. Hope you have signed the petition I put on here?

Jaytbm1

Shibly I haven’t signed it on this form but have signed it ??

JosephT

Firstly, the Official Secret Act in regards to PIPs or ESA for that matter. IT DOES NOT APPLY... Those who carry out the assessments are doing so in a PRIVATE company working on behalf of the DWP... The DWP is the TORIES and should not be thought of in any other guise... The Official Secrets Act was set up for National Security..not to protect this attack on the poor, the unemployed, the disabled, etc.
It is FACT that these companies are employed to CUT WELFARE... Your Rights..IN OTHER WORDS. Ian Duncan Smith studied the entire system used in Detroit USA almost 20 years ago.. when he was ousted as leader of the Tories..
the Bush government implemented this ( discredited scheme, and was mainly used against the African American and lower class white communities.

Whilst the system here is designed to CUT to ribbons the income of disabled etc, by failing during the assessments which in many cases are simply a verbal version of the evidence presented in written form.
They use all type of confusion and misrepresentation of your verbal replies to lower or even disallow claimants.
Its ONLY when you get to the APPEAL... that you are given anything resembling a fair hearing.
My advice is to think of the procedure from start to finish as a marathon... The old ways are gone.. for now.. they will eventually return to a means of assessment agin to the old DLA due to the INCREASED COST of Admin.
So patience is essential.
Lastly, ensure you PHOTO COPY EVERYTHING You send to To Them.. and send via RECORDED delivery AHEAD of time.. That way you have at your fingertips as much information regarding your claim as they do.
Never present for an interview without a witness, and where possible RECORD The ENTIRE INTERVIEW... They require permission, but you will find they are bound almost by law to allow you to record for your own peace of mind...
Good Luck to you all.

Jaytbm1

You are right JosphT it is an attack on disabled people, and the poorest in society.

Waylay

@aaronw3440that's only for Mandatory Reconsiderations, tho.

April2018mom

I hate the system sometimes. It’s like it’s purposefully made more complicated for families of disabled people to get necessary financial assistance and resources as well. Best of luck.

Tigermoth42

I was merely passing on, word for word, info that was given to me. I’m not sure why you’re sceptical of my original post, I have never said personally that assessors work for the DWP, I’m fully aware that the companies they work for are contracted by the DWP. I’m not sure either how the OSA comments came into the discussion excepting perhaps that others felt she shouldn’t have been mentioning her working practices. I highly doubt that it would stand up to scrutiny should she ever be caused of breaking the OSA. In respect of targets etc. I have, very recently, read and commented on a fb post from a lady in Northern Ireland who has been erroneously sent paperwork that directly states there are targets, and also details payments to be received by assessors for failing claimants. This is being taken up by her legal team, so much so the she is unable to directly post photos of the paperwork for fear of retribution.

bizzielizzie

Nothing suprisies me with the system it is a joke from start to finish my husband is still waiting for date for an appeal , it's been over a year already and we still waiting

Tigermoth42

Oh @bizzielizzie that’s just awful. Have you any idea why it’s taking so long? I heard on Saturday that the dwp aren’t going to defend my appeal, they’ve cancelled it and reinstated enhanced mobility along with enhanced living awarded at MR. It just seems to be a bit of a lottery as to when appeals get heard, I’m wondering if things are changing based on my experience? I’m here if you need an ear ❤️

Jaytbm1

So pleased for you @Tigermoth42. Had you been to your appeal or sent in any new evidence? I am still waiting for my appeal and have been told at least 8 months. I am still thinking of not appealing in case I lose what I already have . It’s such a stressful time and hearing that even if you win your appeal the DWP can appeal against the decision just worries me so much . I know I am not the only one in this situation, and feel that at least I got the care component and don’t want to lose it . I know that getting anywhere is know very difficult but am so concerned that the DWP will stop all of my claim . My specialist at the hospital had written lots of letters in support of my claim and is very annoyed that her expertise about RA and how it affects me isn’t being taken into consideration, think that is also the case for a lot of people. Anyway glad you have been reinstated your rightful award . It gives hope to us all . Xxxx

Tigermoth42

Hi @Jaytbm1, I sent in medical evidence at MR which increased my pip from standard living only to enhanced living and standard mobility. Then I just completed the appeal papers and sent them to the courts with no further evidence. I assume they then sent my reasons for appeal to the dwp (I had a letter confirming that the courts had received the appeal) who have looked again at my claim and decided not to defend the case. The letter I received on Saturday from the dwp stated they had had another look at my claim, plus the evidence already submitted, and decided to award enhanced mobility and that the appeal will not continue. I’m so relieved as the thought of having to sit in court and put my case was causing so much extra anxiety. I’ll probably have to go through it all again in Feb when my claim is looked at again but, then again, hopefully not as I’m not going to miraculously get better - I wish, after all, disability isn’t a lifestyle choice. Please don’t give up, if I can help in any way don’t hesitate to ask. Sending you hugs ?

Tigermoth42

Just to add @Jaytbm1, I heard and read that, if the court looks like they’re going to find against you and therefore reduce your award, they will let you know and offer you the choice of stopping at that point and staying with the original award. How true this is I can’t say, bit if it is then there’s nothing to lose by appealing. ❤️

Jaytbm1

Thank you @Tigermoth42 and @Username_removed , I have heard that they do ask you at appeal but wasn’t sure so thank you for clearing that up . Great news that you didn’t even have to go to Court, it really is a stressful time . I haven’t made any decisions because of the time they said it will probably take . It’s so awful that these assessments are so frequent when you have an illness that obviously isn’t going to improve, Good luck for next time around. I will keep you posted on my appeal . Thanks again xxx

Tigermoth42

Hi @Jaytbm1 thank you for your lovely message, how are things going? I agree wholeheartedly with you, it’s just so stressful and unnecessarily so. I’ve heard of some people who’ve got a court date quite quickly, then again some are waiting 8 months or more. Hope you’re having as good a weekend as you can, hugs xx

bizzielizzie

Tigermoth42 ,they say it's because of our location and because they have such a back log of people, I have had to fight for everything since my husband's accident , so nothing surprises me , I'm off work because of stress , and my husband's just gone down hill and no one seems to care at all , mental health is a very hard one to determine, that women took 45 minutes to decide that my husband's problems don't exist , in other words we been lying for the last 8 years xxxx

Jaytbm1

@Tigermoth42, things are pretty quiet, not heard anything, waiting for a 5th letter from my specialist. I feel so embarrassed asking her all the time , fortunately she doesn’t mind and has asked them to contact her but the DWP have said they can’t. Luckily I like the nice weather and my sons have been taking me out when not at work . Thank you for asking, hope things are well with you . I will keep postuwhen anything new happens . Sending hugs to you xxxx

Tigermoth42

Hi @bizzielizzie so sorry to read about things your end. It’s absolutely dreadful that they’re still not capable of recognising and taking mental health into consideration. My biggest bugbear was about just that, the assessor and dwp took zero notice of my mental health, backed up with letters, which quite clearly state that I have a real problem with going out on my own and meeting people. The dwp finally capitulated on the descriptor ‘needs prompting to engage with others’ but still appear to refuse to understand that I can’t plan and follow a journey unaided. I am sure I’ve read somewhere that things were starting to change in respect of their understanding of mental health but it would seem not. It’s appalling that both you and your husband are being treated like this, it really does make you feel like your banging your head against a brick wall. I know mental health is considered to be a hidden disability but it’s no less a disability than a physical one, I can only hope that things change rapidly and the dwp sit up and take notice. The assessors have got a lot to answer for, they’re seriously messing with people’s lives and that can’t be right. As you say, 45 minutes to basically undermine everything that’s been going on for the past 8 years. It’s the fact that we’re being made out to be liars that really gets to me, if they can extend the blue badge scheme to include people with autism etc. why oh why can’t they recognise other mental health issues when it comes to PIP and ESA. I’m praying things change for you my lovely, always here if you need an ear. Sending you hugs xx