Extremely anxious about PIP assessment

VickyLGS

Evening all... I have my Pip assessment coming up on December 4th, and I am extremely anxious about it.  I was born with Hemiparesis after having a fetul stroke.  My right side is very weak and pretty much useless, I have enough strength to hold me up, but I never know when my leg will decide it’s had enough and give way.  I am now 46, and the years have taken their toll.  My left side has endured numerous problems due to heavy reliance, and my health has deteriorated rapidly.  I first claimed DLA in 1997 after the death of my Mother, I was placed on low ( Both ) after claiming again and fighting for it, it was increased to high ( Both ) indefinitely.  In the last 5 years, I have developed uncontrolled asthma ( currently awaiting seeing specialists in Hospital ) Hypercalcemia which lead to primary Hyperparathyroidism, which affects lots of important body parts /functions, one being the bones.  I have to have a regular course of steroids due to the asthma which also affects the bones.  One receipt of my PIP letter /form, in September, I was undergoing blood tests, xrays and having regular DR & Hospital appointments for pain in my lower back and thigh, which developed around early July.. but did not have any results to put on the form.  The form was sent back, and a few weeks ago  I had the diagnosis of degenerative Scoliosis of my back and Osteoarthritis in my hips.  I am in continuous pain and discomfort every moment of the day, I am exhausted for the best part of the day... I can’t take anti inflammatory meds or anything with aspirin because of the asthma, so I have weed in cake & coffee, due to exhaustion, I take a small amount of speed every day.  I don’t want to take either, but if I don’t, I am confined to bed, and using incontinence pants ? I suffer from depression and I currently take Amitriptyline and mirtazapine for that, I also have panic attacks which lead into asthma attacks.  All this, and they want me to go to Swindon when I live in Bristol, I no longer Drive, my career does.. and the journey would be too much pain.  I can’t have my carer to be in the room because he will get angry with them which will have negative affect.. I can’t take my Daughter ( also my carer ) as I don’t want her to know I have been resorted to speed, and having weed.  I have tried to contact the assessment group by text & email as I wear hearing aids and can’t hear voice calls, but I cannot reach them and had email from them saying they will not discuss my claim over email.  I really don’t know what to do, I have been sobbing and vomiting daily since I received my appointment.. ? 

steve51

Hi @VickyLGS

Good Evening & Welcome ?

I am one off the Community Champion’s here at Scope.

Sorry to read about your current problems.

Yes I have also had a Stroke that greatly effects my left side.

I have recently had my “Pip Assessment”
unfortunately.

We have got some great info & advice here on our “Online Community”

Please please let me know if there’s anything that I can help/support you with??

@steve51

chiarieds

Hi @VickyLGS & welcome to the community. I'm very sorry to read about your many & various health issues that you're struggling with.

Might you ask your carer, or daughter to phone on your behalf asking for another appointment? You can only cancel an appointment once (something I have done) but you may be able to get one closer to you, or even a home assessment. Just looked at Independent Assessment Services' website & an assessment centre is listed for Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HJ. See: https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/consultation-centres/?page=2&area=South West England Perhaps they might query why you haven't been offered an assessment there.

VickyLGS

hi there, thanks for your responses, I will ask my carer to ring them in the morning, hopefully they will allow him to converse on my behalf .. I will read into the info you have sent me.. many Thanks ?

poppy123456

Hi and welcome,

When you ring them tomorrow, you will have to go through security before you pass the phone onto your carer, otherwise they most likely won't speak to them on your behalf. Once you've gone through security you will be able to tell them that your passing the phone onto your carer to continue on your behalf.

If you do request a home assessment then a letter from your GP will needed stating the reasons why you can't attend the assessment centre. Do be aware that if you attend other appointments then this can go against you for a home assessment.

If you do re-arrange the appointment make sure you can attend the next one before accepting it. Good luck.

steve51

Hi @VickyLGS

Sorry I forgot to mention but I did arrange a home visit as I am unable to go outside anymore.

So yes please do contact them tomorrow to request one for you.

I do hope that things go okay !!!!!

@steve51

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @VickyLGS and a very warm welcome to the community! I'm sorry to hear how much you have been struggling. I hope the above advice has been helpful, but please do let us know if we can do anything else to help.

Did you manage the phone call?

VickyLGS

Hi Everyone, I’m so sorry I disappeared from here for a while, but my mental health had taken a battering, then I had to have my gallbladder out, after which I developed an abscess and a chronic infection, so I’ve been in hospital or in recovery.  Anyway, since all that was happening, I couldn’t arrange a phone call or home assessment, so I showed in person.  Unfortunately my usual carer was sick himself, so I had to pull my Daughter out of school to help me, and my neighbour kindly took me.  Needless to say, I was in a great deal of pain and discomfort, and also very distressed.  I was shaking and crying the way there, in the waiting room downstairs, and in the second upstairs. I also needed my inhaler, as my breathing worsened. I was kept waiting longer than necessary, as the assessor didn’t have anyone before me. I was shaking, yet trying to keep myself composed during the assessment, I’d also informed the assessor than the wires I had dangling at the side of me, were my Tens machine and not a recording device.  I had to continually move to find comfort, and at one point took my codeine, then shortly afterwards felt very sick. I asked for a bowl and for the window to be opened.  Anyway... cutting a long story short, I received my letter last week, telling me that I would be awarded standard Carers and nothing for mobility at all.  In her report, she concentrated on my mental state ( which I have never claimed for) and my recently diagnosed osteoarthritis, ( which I presented her with evidence at the assessment).  She did not mention my Hemiparesis at all, even though when DLA was introduced, it was my reason for needing help.  She also lied a number of times, most atrociously was that said had reported that I had said I drive a manual car.  I do not.  I own and always have owned an Automatic, my test was an automatic test, and I am not even allowed to drive a manual car. So my license states Automatic only. I had stated that due to the osteoarthritis and scoliosis, it was now too painful for me to drive, and I had actually given up driving in September last year.  Amongst other lies, she also said that I had conducted myself in a calm and confident manner, and that I was not struggling in anyway. The whole process has angered me so much, for an number of reasons.. This woman, has never met me, or spent a day in my life, yet in an hour and a half, she stripped me of my little bit of independence I did have, my means for adapted equipment, extra costs for clothing alterations, and extra care and now, I’ve had to sort my car off the road, which leaves my carer without use of it so I now have to wait longer for him to arrive.  My family also miss out as we are no longer to all go out together, my Daughters, my Grandson. Another reason I am so angry, is that an ex friend of mine claimed DLA for a back problem, he manages every day life very easily, and can most certainly do absolutely everything an able person can.  He does not need care at all, and his wife is always away here, or abroad.  He doesn’t not suffer physically or mentally, never has in the 18 years of knowing him, and didn’t actually know he was claiming DLA, until another mutual friend let slip that he’d swapped to PIP and was awarded enhanced BOTH, and that he had borrowed her walking stick to go to his assessment.  I also discovered his wife claims Carers for him. Hence why he and his wife are now ex friends.  So advice I’m seeking is, how do appeal, what should I be concentrating on?  and what’s the quickest and most affective way to report the pip fraud and Carers fraud please?