Hi folks 👋🏽
Firstly, a big thank you to those who post on scope as it really helped my process.
I wanted to share my journey for those who are going through the same experience.
I have chronic back pain (over 11yrs) and long term mental health issues (over 17 yrs)
I was eventually let go from my employment because of this in December 2020. I applied for UC in January 2021 and was put on the higher rate in about august 2021 and advised to apply for pip which I did in that September.
I couldn’t send doctors notes as evidence because they charged and with not working couldn’t afford to pay for them. I did send in mri report stating back conditions, letter from school saying attendance was about 50% due to not being able to get kids there because I spent a lot of days in bed, support letters from my 19yr old about what she does in the house and with younger siblings (3 at the time) and their dad stating what he has to do when not at work.
The decision came back in January 2022, denied. I scored 6pts daily living and 4pts mobility.Â
I requested a MR which came back the same.
I was then put in touch with my local councils welfare rights officer by my CPN. She helped me fill out the appeal forms and included what had been happening since I had applied (change in meds, independent living, MORE physio)
When she read through my original application and the decision she said they weren’t acknowledging how my conditions affected me because I said I occasionally went to shop myself and because I drove a manual car, they had used these things to dress them down. They had also used that at the time I wasn’t being medicated for mental health because I had found out I was pregnant so had to wean off current medication to start a different one.
We submitted the appeal and a date came through for the tribunal, telephone call on 8th December 2022.
On the call were me, my welfare support officer, a judge, medical doctor and disability specialist (and court clerk).
They were really nice during the call which I didn’t expect. It didn’t feel like an interrogation or like they were trying to catch me out.
The doctor and specialist asked a couple of questions and the whole thing lasted about 15 - 20 minutes. He said can you give us a moment to confer and less than a minute later awarded me enhanced for both at which point I broke down and thanked God because it felt like someone had final believed how hard things have been for me. They also thanked my support worker for the additional information she had sent as they found it very helpful.
I hope this helps anyone going through the same situation. I just wanted to share my journey to encourage people not to give up.
I don’t think I could have done this on my own so it may be worth getting in touch with a welfare rights officer.
