Possible DWP Manipulation and ATOS Lies/Discrimination — Scope | Disability forum
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Possible DWP Manipulation and ATOS Lies/Discrimination

MrWalsh
MrWalsh Community member Posts: 2 Listener
edited May 2018 in PIP, DLA, and AA
Hello everyone and thankyou to anyone who takes the time to read and/or respond.

I will first list my conditions:
High Functioning Autism
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Herniopathic Pain (Nerve Damage resulting from surgery)
Asthma
Depression
Anxiety

The symptoms I have are going to be quite obvious, sorry for not posting the majority of symptoms alongside, crippling pain, toilet trips, severe fatigue, and social communication issues being the worst. Not the life I dreamed of at 19.

I submitted a request for PIP a few months ago, I took as much information as I could afford but due to my financial situation I could not pay for the medical information/letter of support from my GP, I only had my Autism report to go off. My landlord went with me to the first assessment, the lady said she did not know if they had requested my medical information (I requested them to do this after explaining my situation on the phone) and said not to worry essentially and that she would aim for a 5 year term. I thought at this point, no thanked that I did not have to leave my comfort zone again (the pain was bad and my anxiety was through the roof). I would also like to note now that I am on income-related ESA WRAG due to these conditions but I am studying from home to try and make a future for myself when my health can be better controlled. Fast-forward a couple of weeks, I receive a letter stating it was declined and the usual nonsense with a list of reasons (Complete blatant lies!). One that struck me was that I recieved GCSEs so had no learning restrictions, I found that so derogatory as I had chosen a course from home due to my struggles in classroom environments and currently going through the process of Disabled Students Allowance to receive learning aids (My DSA assessor even said that is appaling). I sent off for my Mandatory Reconsideration and called them, horrible experience every time, and each time they said that they would request my information from my medical provider and not to worry they will handle this. Well, now I am thinking please no more. They have decided as of last week that I am not getting the benefit, no suprises after looking more cases up. I had to call for this information when I was checking on Monday if they had sent the request to my GP, I then find out whilst finding out the decision that they can not legally do that in the Mandatory Reconsideration stage. I find that manipulative behaviour and in my view breaking Disability laws as they insulted me, manipulated me, misled me, and lied to me multiple times. I now have to go to an appeal, this money I need to help go to see physiotherapists, mental health specialists, autism specialists and more as I cannot bear public transport and struggle with my independance. My landlord helps me to live independantly, he helps me shop, choose what to wear, makes sure I take my medication, reminds me to eat, helped me get back into education and done what he can to help me in any way possible, and he works 12 hour nights. I am eternally grateful to him but this is unfair on him and probably the reason he is even more fatigued then expected. I am on that little money I can barely eat as it is, restricting my independance which is further ruining my health is beyond a joke. I am not sure on my next steps and what I can do, I am now in debt with my landlord (he understands why) as I am purchasing the letter from my GP and just currently in a state of pure solitude and instability. I have never had suicidal thoughts but this experience has pushed me to the edge, it is horrible. I am searching relentlessly over the internet for any form of help, advice that I can receive. Alongside my university work I am fighting a constant battle to stay awake which is making my health worse.

If anyone has any advice they can give on my next steps and any laws that you think they may have broken, please reply. Again, thankyou for reading and replying those that do.

Also forgot to mention, my landlord was present in my meeting and said if it goes to appeal he will come and fight against any lies from the assessment. He works for a government owned service and has British values at heart as people say.

Comments

  • redhead53
    redhead53 Community member Posts: 35 Connected
    edited May 2018
    [removed by moderator]
  • MrWalsh
    MrWalsh Community member Posts: 2 Listener
    What other sites can I post on? Ones I have come across charge to be a member and to post on forums which I find appaling.
  • GizmoTiddles
    GizmoTiddles Community member Posts: 159 Pioneering
    @MrWalsh sorry to hear of your predicament, but hang on in there some good advice will be forthcoming .
    Don't be put off by one persons bad karma 
    Gizmo
  • justg72
    justg72 Community member Posts: 173 Pioneering
    Hi Mr Walsh
    I would try and make an appointment with Citizens Advice, they have advisors which are experts on PIP and ESA you will need to mention this when making an appointment. You can also ring Scope thats what I did and they gave me contact numbers to ring in the area I live in.
    Good Luck
  • debsidoo
    debsidoo Community member Posts: 325 Pioneering
    Hi Mr Walsh
    As @justg72 said,try getting the letter from your go and then appeal to a Tribunal.CAB will take you through the process as to what to expect.
    A face to face tribunal is better than a paper appeal try and get your landlord to accompany you as he seems to be best placed to answer any questions.
    Remember anything you send off in writing keep a copy of and send signed for as DWP have been known to misplace mail.Good luck.
        Debsidoo.x

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