Refused pip

starbuck · October 16

I'm so despondent right now. I got turned down for pip today. I didn't score any points. I've had arthritis since my early twenties and now I'm 58 and it's in my hips and fingers as well.

My sister nagged me to apply and now I wish I hadn't bothered. I put on the form that I also have ocd and anxiety and that I find it difficult to talk to people on the phone and in person. The problem is I get so nervous speaking to people that I overshare and talk far too much. The interviewer on the phone saw this as me being able to converse easily with people. He also noted that I didn't need anyone with me for the phone interview - this again is a symptom of my anxiety. I have to be completely alone if I do have to make a phone call as anyone else there distracts me and I cannot think straight.

I told them I have trouble managing my pills because my fingers are painful so I have to get my family to put my pills together each day. I said I have to have help with cooking as I cannot manage to lift heavy pans and I often drop and smash crockery. I told them peeling vegetables is hard because I have nodules on my fingers from the arthritis which keep getting caught by knives and peelers.

They said I can walk 200m so I don't get any points for mobility. I had said I have to use a crutch to walk around, and if I'm going to the shops I use a sholley as I can lean on that and I can't carry bags. I told them I use a rollator to take my husband's guide dog for a walk as it supports me better than a crutch and doesn't make my fingers hurt when I'm going for a long walk, and I can make regular stops with a sit-down on the seat.

I have to keep walking otherwise the pain in my back and hips gets much worse. Walking is hard work and painful but I can't do nothing. I feel like I'm being penalised for trying to keep active.

There were lots of other points too which they just dismissed. I guess I'm just having a big moan because I feel so low about the whole thing - it's as if I'm making up how much pain I'm in day and night.

How many of you have been turned down for pip and how did you deal with it?

Trevor_PIP · October 17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139197/refused-pip

It is nothing personal, a lot get turned down for PIP first time around and at reviews. A lot have a bad assessment where a lot of points, like you, were ignored. You continue with the process. I was turned down initially, told to fight on by friends and I was determined too as well because I knew I qualified. So don't get down about it, fight on! You need to put in a Mandatory Reconsideration, this is the next step, do this in writing as if you call about your Mandatory Reconsideration PIP may progress it over the phone and you don't know if what you have said has been taken down properly. PIP is about how your disabilities affect you daily, what you struggle with to do normal things. Complete the Mandatory Reconsideration looking at the descriptors and write down where you should have got points or extra points, detailing your struggles per descriptor.

Don't give up, don't get down, carry on with the process like a lot of claimants have done, some have to do it regularly as well.

Don't worry about having a moan, come back if you have any issues and we will try and help!

Holly_Scope · October 17

Really sorry to hear this @starbuck. I've added a link which might be helpful. It breaks down the mandatory reconsideration process in a bit more detail and has some links to support if you wanted it - Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK