nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

Pip assessment and feeling anxious

Crumbled72

Just returned from my face to face assessment and oh my what an experience.
Don't remember when I have been so confused last time.
I have Osteoarthritis in my both knees (left one bone to bone), Diabetes, Degenerative Disc disease, and Depression and Anxiety.
I had my assessment for Esa last November and got to support group and Limited capability for work awarded, since both OA and DDD are degenerative and there is really no cure. Still in queue waiting for my appointments for Orthopedics and Physiotherapy (referred by my Dr in Rheumatology sept/2019).
I applied for Pip 14/11/2019, and assessment was today.
I had 2 assessors in the room, both ladies and really nice, but the questions Omg! Same questions asked in multiple different ways, twisting and twirling around so I became very confused.
When questions came up about my mental health I ended crying 3 separate times cause I felt so overwhelmed and my stress levels peaked up.
I just had a feeling that my whole assessment has gone to shambles now.
I'm so afraid that I won't be awarded anything and that I will have to go through it all again.
Now the last push to hear back from them.. I guess I better prepare myself for the worst..
Feeling really low now ?

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Crumbled72

Doh, sent too hastily, I have OA also in my both hips, right hand and left foot ?

wilko

@Crumbled72, hello and welcome. These assessments are stressful for us all and no too are the same. Now that your assessment is over wait a week then phone DWP and request a copy of your assessment report and on receiving it you can work out what your award may should be but you still have to wait for the award notification letter.

Crumbled72

OK thank you.will call them next week, just feel that it went so bad ?

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Crumbled72, did you manage to get through?

Crumbled72

Update:
I received my assessment report and let's say that about 85% of it was correct and fine. I was awarded 6points to Care and 4 to mobility.. And mostly I am happy but the rest then..
I sent my MR paperwork on Friday as recorded delivery after calling them, so in that path.

So what went wrong?
I have had problems amongst with my knees, hips and back, also my right hand which went so bad before Christmas that I couldn't even hold a pen.. Horrible nerve pains like someone's pushing needles under my fingernails, numbing, swelling, colour changes.. And had to wear metal-supported wrist-brace for 2 months. I had to drop off from my college course and this all pushed me into the abyss of me pumping my face full of Codeine and Methocarbamol and due to my low tolerance of painkillers literally sat here high as kite. My partner had to help me with my bra, any clothes with buttons/ties and my socks and shoes. That sore hand is my mandatory hand and I'm pretty useless with my left one.. I can handle myself in toilet and lift a cup and fork, but that's about it.

So.. My assessor decided, even I'd PIP is about 'how does your condition affect your daily living', that because the date I had the assessment was actually almost 5 months after my hand flared up, and 2months after it finally calmed down, that because I had enough strength in 'musculoskeletal examination' which was to squeeze her hands, and to show I can touch my other fingers with my thumb, And because I was seen unzipping and zipping my jacket on arrival and leave, that I have no problems with my hand at all. She also stated that I won't need any help cause I can use my left hand normally and left is my mandatory hand.

Pure BS! I was so angry when I read her comments. Like how does she dare?! I was forced to stop my course in college, now I have to pay back student loan and bursary because I wasn't able to finish and continue to uni. My future plans are down in gutter, and mentally am still in denial and swim deep in self pity and worry will my hand ever be able to take stress..

But I guess I will send you a massive Thank You card to Atos cause I am cured - Hallelujah! ?

OK sorry for the rant and emotional vomit..
But here is where I am now.. MR requested, but mentally prepared to go to tribunal.

Crumbled72

Oh and just to mention, I was referred to Orthopedics Hand specialist on Sept 6th by my Rheumatology professor, and still waiting for the appointment, so couldn't really provide any further evidence for them, but even if they see this referral from my paperwork, still cured.. Ha!
Happy days (not)

Crumbled72

Just an update: Wrote my Mr and sent it, called to DWP and they have marked it received and scanned on 20/4/20..Now just to wait fingers crossed. No idea whatsoever how long I need to wait to hear back from them ??

xcalibrate

It sounds like a difficult time but please don’t give up even if MR fails. Appeals are generally awarded in favour of the claimant (75%)

Good luck.

Crumbled72

Yep.. Takes a long time for sure.. I applied in Nov 2019, had my F2F assessment in March 9th and got my decision letter in 2 weeks from that.. Now almost 1,5wks in since they have scanned my MR paperwork in.
For sure I will not give up, will go to tribunal if needed.
Just fighting against anxiety and exhaustion on this subject ?

Chloe_Alumni

Still got my fingers crossed for you @Crumbled72!

Crumbled72

Chloe_Scope said:

Still got my fingers crossed for you @Crumbled72!

Thanks Chloe ?❤️

Lou67

Hi @Crumbled72 Sorry just saw your post hope your hanging in there, I’m in a very similar situation as yourself, Iv osteoarthritis in both knees and hand and my right foot,amongst other ailments I’m waiting on 2 knee replacements, I had previously been on DL standard for cpl years it ran out in Feb had my F2F 10th March cpl weeks later got awarded 6 points for DL and 10 for mobility so awarded standard mobility, I put my MR in on 17th April and then sent further evidence, so just waiting on word if no change it’ll be the long rd to appeal, hope your well take care ?

Crumbled72

Lou67 said:

Hi @Crumbled72 Sorry just saw your post hope your hanging in there, I’m in a very similar situation as yourself, Iv osteoarthritis in both knees and hand and my right foot,amongst other ailments I’m waiting on 2 knee replacements, I had previously been on DL standard for cpl years it ran out in Feb had my F2F 10th March cpl weeks later got awarded 6 points for DL and 10 for mobility so awarded standard mobility, I put my MR in on 17th April and then sent further evidence, so just waiting on word if no change it’ll be the long rd to appeal, hope your well take care ?

Heya Lou!
Yep still waiting.. called them last week and gonna call again next week. My anxiety keeps building up and I feel so restless and worried most of the time that I will keep calling them every week until they do something. Been waiting for 26weeks already and need things to normalise so can breathe again.
And I know that there might be still a tribunal ahead ffs.

I hope your case would go more smoothly than mine x

Lou67

Hi @ Crumbled72 Aw thank you, I no how your feeling it’s on my mind constantly driving me nuts, but we need to stick with it and not give up take care and Nyt nyt x

Crumbled72

Quick update:
Still no decision to my MR.. called last week and got advised that decision should be made within the next 6 weeks.. fingers crossed that don’t need to wait that long since might need to proceed to tribunals.

Will update as soon as I hear something new x

katho31

Crumbled72 said:

Quick update:
Still no decision to my MR.. called last week and got advised that decision should be made within the next 6 weeks.. fingers crossed that don’t need to wait that long since might need to proceed to tribunals.
Will update as soon as I hear something new x

good luck

Adrian_Scope

Fingers crossed for you @Crumbled72, I hope you hear soon.

Lou67

Hi@Crumbled72, Oh hopefully you’ll hear sooner than that, it’s just such a stressful wait.

Crumbled72

Another update..called DWP again (almost 10weeks since they have received my MR paperwork), and they have sent me an award letter yesterday.

Not letting my hopes go up since I have already learned that most likely it’s a big NO, so just gonna wait couple more days. Fingers (or absolutely everything) crossed.

Lou67

@Crumbled72. Oh al have my fingers crossed for you to, it’s such a long wait, I’m exact same as yourself I phoned last week the woman sd they are dealing with ones sent to them in March, mines was done April 17th so another few weeks for me I think, but good luck let’s no how you get on.