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Hi, I'm looking for some advice.

Tubz

I had a telephone tribunal today for PIP. I have Aspergers, (diagnosed late in life as an adult), OCD, hypothyroidism, Diabetes type 2 and asthma. The panel were awful! Very nit-picky and kept asking me odd questions such as what do I look like, (what I was wearing, was I tall?), what my favourite food was, (when I said a sandwich, they kept asking if I had mustard or butter on it and whether I had fruit or yoghurt with it?!!), and whether i got lost on the way to my doctor's surgery! They also kept referring to my school and university days: They asked if I had had any support through them and when I said no because I didn't know I had Aspergers, and it wasn't known then, they disagreed with me and said that "support would always have been available ". It was not! They even asked if I used a sat nav, and when I said I shared it, (and the car) with my mother, they started asking where she worked, and whether she worked at one place or many!! They asked what kind of meals my mother cooks and whether she cooks a roast?! (I live with her and she does the cooking due to my fatigue etc).I was asked why I hadn't sought help for my OCD, (there's a pandemic happening?..., and I haven't been offered any help for years.) They went on about my compulsive shopping (which happened over 20 years ago!, when I was working and before I even claimed anything!)
With regards to the DWP appeal before the tribunal, they completely missed off my OCD in the list of medical issues at the beginning of their report. Indeed, the only time they ever mentioned it, was as a throwaway remark towards the end saying that I was anxious, but didn't show any signs of OCD??!!
The panel today went on and on on about the fact that I apparently had said that I could travel on my own and that I go out more than a few times a week. I never said anything of the sort! They were trying to twist what I had written on my appeal sheet which was that I can travel to my doctors on my own, by car, (no other way of getting there!) If my mother was at work, which they seem to think implied that go out a lot, despite me writing that I only go out for appointments!!
I was told that they would post the decision out by 1st class post today.
Apologies for the really long post, but I am so anxious, I am feeling ill...

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Tubz

[Deleted User]

I know from painful experience the DWP couldn't organise a you know what in a Brewery at the best of times and they are run by incompetent jobsworths who could no more run an Organisation than a Country Pub.

I wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's till October 1999 at the age of 23 and half, so I spent more than half my life so far with no money or anything apart from a brief period of about 18 months on Jobseekers from early 1998 to October 1999.

And then in December 2015 I went for the dreaded ATOS meeting in Town, and at the behest of my Parents I was declared unfit to work (even though I've spent most of the last 20 odd years doing voluntary work) and put on ESA, naturally we came out of the meeting and I went bananas right in the middle of Town!

janer1967

Hi there sorry you feel like this

Some if those questions will have been relevant it is all to find out how you are affected

The sandwich ones for example would help them know if you are able to spread butter or mustard

What your mum cooks will be about if you are getting the right nutrition

The shopping habits they only know what you had told them either in your form or at assessment so if you thought it relevant to your claim they will too

It does often feel like an interrogation and nit picky but they are trying to get the info they need

All you can do is wait for the decision and fingers crossed it will be a successful outcome for you

Girl_No1

@Tubz I agree with what @janer1967 has said.

Although the questions seem random and unrelated to anything, if you can step back you can see the reason for them. For example, them asking about your compulsive spending may relate to you needing help/support to manage your money.

Also, sometimes when we're anxious/keyed-up we can think people are being rude when they are not really rude - it's just *us* being keyed-up.

Hopefully, you'll receive the outcome you want and, in the meantime, just try as best you can to relax.

chiarieds

Hi @Tubz - & may I add my welcome to this community.

I'm sorry you've had what you feel a dreadful time of it with your tribunal, however, they ask questions in order to find out more about how your disabilities impact on your daily living, & about going out. At least you know you'll hear soon, but can understand you feel anxious. Please don't ever apologise for the length of a post, but as woodbine has asked, please do kindly let us know the outcome of the tribunal's decision. I've got everything gently crossed.

Tubz

Hi everyone. I just wanted to let you all know that I FINALLY received my letter from the Tribunal today: I WON!!!!:D Thank you again for all your comments.