PIP assessment 0

imz

Hello,

I applied for PIP a few months ago, it took me so long in my life as I suffer from severe ADHD, Anxiety and Depression. With the help of my ADHD university support worker I was able to complete the form and was given an assessment, originally I had been offered a face to face but opted to have a phone call instead due to my severe anxiety. I have not received the decision yet but I have the assessors notes and it is quite disheartening and I feel my words were completely disregarded. She had given me a 0 in everything despite in the notes I can see that I had described that I can't do things on my own without prompting or difficulties. There was one area that I felt unhappy about; I had told her that in the past I had to redo my college years twice due to my condition and last year I have to repeat my first year at university because of my persisting mental disabilities. For this she had commented 'has motivation to continue a second year at university to study and that reported restrictions are unlikely to meet the threshold of OPD' and I feel so upset because these events in my life are a clear sign of how I am affected but because I choose to continue instead of give up completely they think it's not that bad then? There were so many contradictions in what I said and her decisions to disregard. Often I would say I needed prompting and help of someone to do things like manage money as my ADHD means I can be so severely disorganised but she just ticked the box that said 'Can manage money without aid'. I feel so anxious as I know that the decision most likely will come to a rejection because of their report. I feel so deflated, just telling them my most personal experiences like that and they pretty much decide that my hardship is not real. I don't know what to do, the DWP said they will send a decision and it can take 8 weeks. I am defeated and just expect a rejection. I have read about other cases like this where assessors completely disregard what was said. Can anyone can suggest what I should do from now? Thank you.

imz

Apologies, I may have posted in the wrong sub. Please delete and I shall repost on the correct sub, thank you.

calcotti

Once you have the decision you can challenge it if you wish to do so.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-benefit-decisions/

Sue_Alumni

Good afternoon @imz and thank you for sharing  this with us and I'm sorry it has been so distressing for you.

Unfortunately you are not alone and what you have described will resonate with many people in this forum.  If, when you receive it, the DWP's decision isn't what you hoped for you can ask for a Manadatory Reconsideration.  The chances are that the decision wont be revised but you need to go  through this stage before you can progress to be able to appeal to a tribunal where many people have successful outcomes. 

In order to challenge the PIP decision you need to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the DWP decision date but it can be done late provided a reason is given for the request being made late. Any request for a mandatory reconsideration must be made no later that 13 months form the DWP decision date. 

If you'd like to have a look at the rest of the forum, you can find all the latest conversations in our recent discussions category, all the different topics in our categories page, and you can meet and chat with other members over in our virtual coffee lounge too.

Let us know if you need a hand with anything, and I hope you enjoy spending time here.

Take care

Sue 

Sue_Alumni

Sorry calcotti - I posted without seeing that you had already replied. Apologies 

imz

Hi @Sue_Scope

Thank you for your kinda words, I will await a decision and update accordingly. May I ask how long it can take to get to the tribunal stage and how long the actual stage will take? Thanks again.

Sue_Alumni

Hi unfortunately there are huge delays in the PIP process currently.  It really is impossible to say but I think I'm right in saying that delays are currently at about 24 weeks but there are plenty of people who have been waiting far longer. The delays do have a huge impact on peoples mental health and general wellbeing but whilst I hope you get the decision you want - if you do need to pursue an appeal I hope you will find that this forum will be very supportive. 

poppy123456

imz said:

Hi @Sue_Scope

Thank you for your kinda words, I will await a decision and update accordingly. May I ask how long it can take to get to the tribunal stage and how long the actual stage will take? Thanks again.

You need to request the Mandatory Reconsideration first. Timescales for decisions on this can take 2-12 weeks. 

imz

I have received my decision and unfortunately, as expected it is a 0 and the claim has been rejected. I have been considering if I would like to go forward with mandatory reconsideration or just leave it as I have become discouraged since I can't complete the step by myself.

I tried to contact the citizens' advice bureau over the past few days however they haven't picked up and I have failed to reach them all day today. I don't believe I have one to go to in my town so I am unsure of what to do.

poppy123456

You can use this link to see what advice agency is local to you. https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

chiarieds

Hi @imz - you have nothing to lose in going for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Unfortunately Mandatory Reconsiderations have a low success rate, but then proceeding to a tribunal has a good success rate. To try & get help near you try this link: https://advicelocal.uk/  & choose 'Welfare benefits' from the drop down menu. There may be a Welfare Rights office near you if you don't hear from Citizens Advice, so this is another option.

imz

I have found an equality and diversity organisation, but they are closed during the weekend and I will give them a call on Monday. Thank you so much for the advice.

nasturtium

Hello Imz

The advice bellow is incase the Orgonisation you have found cannot help you and you still need to get help and advice.

If you google CAB for your area you might get a link to there website or use the advicelocal website. On the CAB website for your area there should be a email contact address. Send them an email and they should get back to you will information and a reference number you can use for your case with the CAB. I have done this for my area and they have always replied to me. Like you I always found that no one answered the phone but I have not tried ringing the CAB for a long time as I have always emailed them for advice because I have found it easier to type my situation than to explain it over the phone. Also if I needed to follow up I just quoted the CAB Case reference number they gave me when I first contacted them.

They also have a link on there site that advises you on how to fill out the PIP form and this could be helpful for a mandatory reconsideration. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

More information about a PIP Mandatory Reconsiderations https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration-pip/

You could either use the MR Form link the CAB website or you can type or write your own letter and include you National insurance number, date of birth and Title it PIP mandatory reconsideration. I personally would type a letter on a computer then print it off and sign it when you are happy with what you have put. This is only if you cannot get help from the CAB.

Hope that helps

Nasturtium

imz

Hello everyone,

A couple of months passed, and I entered the tribunal stage. The DWP has sent a response and has said several things that contradict what I said in my initial PIP assessment. I have listened back to the recording on my phone and was thinking I could use this as evidence of their negligence.

The issue is that I was so nervous during the assessment I had genuinely forgotten to let the health practitioner know I was recording and only realised after the call was over. I know I can do this without their knowledge, but it still feels like I could get into trouble.

Is it wise to upload the audio recordings of the assessment? I worry it could be used against me in some way. I suppose I don't feel very trusting anymore, and from day 1, it seems like they have been against me instead of trying to help me. 

poppy123456

You will not be able to use the recording as evidence because they have no means of listening to it. Anyway, that's not going to get you a PIP award.

You need to put behind you what was or wasn't said during the assessment because that's in the past now. The Tribunal already know that a lot of assessment reports are flawed, they don't need to be reminded.

What you need to do is concentrate on the weakness in your evidence.

Anecdotal evidence will be the best you can send because you are the only person that knows exactly how your conditions affect you. If you haven't already then you need to give a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each activity that applies to you. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. Do be aware that they will not take into consideration any worsening of conditions.

imz

poppy123456 said:

You will not be able to use the recording as evidence because they have no means of listening to it. 

Thanks for your response. I understand what you are saying; I assumed they could listen to it as there was a means to upload audio/video evidence. Though you are right, it would be a waste of energy to do this.

poppy123456 said:

If you haven't already then you need to give a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each activity that applies to you. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. Do be aware that they will not take into consideration any worsening of conditions.

With the help of my care worker, we have written a letter responding to decisions based on how my symptoms affect me. I will take your advice and add more real-world incident examples to it. 

Thanks again!

imz

Hello,

My tribunal was booked, and I have two weeks left until then. They say the hearing will be over a telephone call. I will be alone, and I am quite nervous; therefore, I was hoping you could kindly give me any tips on managing the situation. What will happen in the hearing? Should I prepare anything in advance? What will they ask me?

Thank you

poppy123456

No one can tell you what questions they will ask because no one knows how your conditions affect you. You will need to make sure you have the bundle with you during the hearing so you have that to refer to if needed.

They will ask you questions about your health condition and how they affect you. If you have anything else to send for evidence you will need to make sure they receive that at least 2 weeks before the hearing.

They may not tell you what the decision is on the day but there's nothing to worry about if they don't. They will send you the decision letter within about a week. If you've been able to track your hearing online then some members have said they can check what the decision was from that.

The hearing can last anything up to about 1 hour.

Lou67

@imz
I just wanted to wish you luck with your appeal. 

I’ve had an appeal by telephone and found the panel very courteous and fair.

Make sure you have your mobile charged, and I kept a drink off water beside me. I also kept some notes on the table incase I needed to check them. 

Take care 

imz

Thank you @Lou67 for sharing your experience.

May I ask if you had anyone join you during the telephone hearing or were you alone? Do you recommend having a friend or counsellor join the hearing?

Kind regards

Lou67

@imz
Hi I was on my own as I thought I would get more upset talking about some off my issues in front  off someone.
 But everyone is different and if you’ll feel better with someone with you then you should have them there.

Take care