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PIP 0 points and a frustrating decision maker's notes.

Gmassey

I have always struggled sociallly and have always struggled to keep jobs and make friends. I have depression on and off, taken meds, had the therapy but nothing worked. I decided last year to get a diagnosis and was diagnosed Aspergers Syndrome.

After informing my work pyschologist I was advised by jobcenter staff to apply for PIP so I went through the process. I promptly went to CAB and gave in the forms and I included a personal statement on A4 typed up with it which detailed the myriad ways in which my condition has effected me and continues to effect me.

At the assessment a social worker sat with me.

Two to three weeks later I got a letter from the DWP declining PIP with zero points on all the criteria, and they justified this decline by stating that there's nothing physically wrong with me and that I demonstrated no malnutrition or signs of distress, dressed well and was articulate, including some other lies and fabrications about me not reciving treatment or anti-depressants, and some of which that are based upon flaky observations at the assesment.

I did a google on some of the arguments used in this decision, and they showed up as stock arguments in other people's also. The questionnaire itself, at the assesment was ludicrous quite frankly. None of the criteria in the guidelines is properely defined for how my condition affects me cognitively. I am not physically impaired. My condition doesn't mean I can't dress myself or plan a route. It effects me in other ways.

So I written a response to the decision maker's statement and I will be going to CAB again on Monday to enquire what went wrong. The CAB are supposed to ensure that my explanation of my condition corresponds with the questionnaire, so I will asking why they failed to do this.

I will also contact, for what it is worth, my local MP and send them all the paper work including my personal statements.

My social worker already knows about this but I have less faith in her now as I do with CAB.

I get the impression that this is all deliberately planned. I just read of one MP saying that the reason why PIP claims go to tribunal is because claimants don't give enough information. Personally, I think that's nonsense. I think there's something else going on; maybe this is there way of weeding out those who are faking it? I'm sceptical of that because I've already had a diagnosis and my medical records show that I was on DLA years ago, on anti-depressants, and only finished CBT therapy a couple of years ago.

What a complete joke this is. Not even 1 point.

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Comments

poppy123456

Hi,

The PIP descriptors are very specific and if you don't meet the criteria then unfortunately you won't score those points. Having a diagnosis doesn't mean you'll be awarded PIP. It's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activities based on the PIP descriptors.

Not giving enough of information is most certainly very true. Giving 1 word answers that don't exactly describe how your conditions affect you could see you being refused. You should put 2-3 examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies. You have 1 month to request the MR stating what you disagree with stating where you think you should have scored those points. Adding those examples in with it.

This link may help you understand what the descriptors mean.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

wilko

PIP is a benefit to help in your daily living needs nothing about your disability or illness. It's about how you cope with the daily living activities in refence to the PIP descriptors. So if you are able to complete the PIP descriptiors then hence you will not get an award. There is no weeding out the fackers as you suggested in your post.

Gmassey

wilko said:

PIP is a benefit to help in your daily living needs nothing about your disability or illness. It's about how you cope with the daily living activities in refence to the PIP descriptors. So if you are able to complete the PIP descriptiors then hence you will not get an award. There is no weeding out the fackers as you suggested in your post.

I thought the CAB knew about all this? Shouldn't they have been helping me to do this? I will not be going back to them.

Gmassey

poppy123456 said:

Hi,

The PIP descriptors are very specific and if you don't meet the criteria then unfortunately you won't score those points. Having a diagnosis doesn't mean you'll be awarded PIP. It's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activities based on the PIP descriptors.

Not giving enough of information is most certainly very true. Giving 1 word answers that don't exactly describe how your conditions affect you could see you being refused. You should put 2-3 examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies. You have 1 month to request the MR stating what you disagree with stating where you think you should have scored those points. Adding those examples in with it.

This link may help you understand what the descriptors mean.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Thanks. So there's a chance that I may not fit those descriptors. I have to put it in a certain way that it shows that it does, and using examples. Thanks CAB for nothing.

poppy123456

Yes, that's exactly how it is i'm afraid. Those descriptors won't apply to everyone no matter how much you complain or write to your local MP. A Local MP is not going to be able to help you get an award.

The link i put up for you will explain all those descriptors so that you'll have more of an idea whether or not you'll qualify. It really does help to have some knowledge of what it's all about. Going through the MR/Tribunal process can be extremely long. Most MR decisions remain the same, if it gets to Tribunal stage then a lot of areas have backlogs as long as 1 year.

It's extremely difficult to advise anything on an internet forum because no one here knows exactly how your conditions affect you.

telscope

Hi GMassey,
I had all zeros when I first applied for my PIP.
When this happened I went onto a Mandatory Reconsideration, had all zeros again & after taking up the case onto a tribunal I won my case & started earning PIP. I was thinking if at first I didn't succeed just keep on trying. They would soon get fed up with me, but fortunately it was all sorted out on the first go.

I went to my Local CAB, MP & Doctors to provide me support.

Gmassey

poppy123456 said:

Yes, that's exactly how it is i'm afraid. Those descriptors won't apply to everyone no matter how much you complain or write to your local MP. A Local MP is not going to be able to help you get an award.

The link i put up for you will explain all those descriptors so that you'll have more of an idea whether or not you'll qualify. It really does help to have some knowledge of what it's all about. Going through the MR/Tribunal process can be extremely long. Most MR decisions remain the same, if it gets to Tribunal stage then a lot of areas have backlogs as long as 1 year.

It's extremely difficult to advise anything on an internet forum because no one here knows exactly how your conditions affect you.

Thing is the CAB should update their knowledge on PIP guidelines. The woman who filled in the form for me was supposed to be a specialist in PIP claims - they actually told me that she was one of the best. I cannot sit down and read and understand those guidelines. I just don't have the patience to do it.

poppy123456

You can't "earn" PIP. It's a benefit that people claim because of a disability. If the descriptors don't apply to you then it doesn't matter how many times you apply, or how far you take it, you won't be awarded.

cristobal

I tend to agree with @poppy123456.

You’ve said that you don’t have any physical disabilities, have no problems dressing or finding your way about so I’m not clear how you expect the CAB to ensure that your explanation of your condition “corresponds with the questionnaire.”

You can only apply for PIP based on the criteria as they are, not as you’d like them to be.

Puzzle

I applied for PIP. I have Fibromyalgia, M.E/CFS, depression. The assessor came out to my house. She was horrible. She stood on my doorstep and held her ID badge up to my face. She didn’t take her coat off. She put me right on edge. Because I work, I cannot claim, yet I drag myself through work everyday. I’m completely exhausted. I have to work because my husband died. These assessors have no idea whatsoever. I’m disgusted with the whole system. I’m in constant pain, my legs throb, I have migraines regularly, brain fog, my Daughter is my carer. She does everything, it’s a joke!

Puzzle

I agree with you. It is a joke! This assessor woman came out to my house. She was vile. Shoved her ID badge in my face! I work because I can’t get help. Or rather when I seek help, it’s declined. It’s hard to get through a day. I come home and go to bed. What a life! Hey!

poppy123456

PIP isn't awarded based on a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

Yes people work and claim PIP but if the work you do contradicts the reasons for your claim then this can go against you.

Requesting the MR then Tribunal if that fails is the only answer, alongside getting face to face advice.

wilko

Hello, it looks like you failed your PIP acessment through your own misunderstanding of the questions thatbwhere asked in the PIP application form. The descriptors questions clearly ask can you, how do you do, cope manage certain activities ( the descriptors) and at your acessment the answers you gave where to the acessor a indication that you could, do or can manage on a regular reliable most of the time if not always. Expecting to be awarded PIP for other reasons that are not related to the PIP descriptors is not going to happen if you take it to MR and onto tribunal stage.

Yadnad

Gmassey said:

wilko said:

PIP is a benefit to help in your daily living needs nothing about your disability or illness. It's about how you cope with the daily living activities in refence to the PIP descriptors. So if you are able to complete the PIP descriptiors then hence you will not get an award. There is no weeding out the fackers as you suggested in your post.

I thought the CAB knew about all this? Shouldn't they have been helping me to do this? I will not be going back to them.

Another happy customer of the CAB - not!

Yes they should but to be honest they do not have the best of reputations around. They can't even get their website advice correct.