Outcome of my PIP appeal — Scope | Disability forum
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Outcome of my PIP appeal

PJ45
PJ45 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
Having just gone through 7 months of hell waiting for an appeal I attended mine at the high court yesterday in London before a panel of three women (I judge, 1 doctor and 1 disability specialist) my appeal was allowed in part. I am grateful for this it's something. 

Conditions
Generalised anxiety disorder 
Depressive disorder
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Bile dumping Syndrome

I was on high rate DLA both component s indefinitely and was denied PIP. I scored 4 on mobility and 5 on daily living . The panel have me 12/12 for one prescriptor and therefore got awarded the enhanced disability for 3 years. But they agreed with the daily living score of 5 so am not entitled to the daily living element.

I have been through hell and sone very dark places in the last 7 months. My heart goes out to all of you going through this. I do not usually share my details with people but want to urge you all to fight and appeal. These three are far more qualified on the panel and very nice and empathetic compared to the DWP staff.

I am absolutely exhausted physically and mentally but its an inprovement.

Best wishes and good luck to you all that do find the strength to appeal and wait.

Comments

  • wilko
    wilko Community member Posts: 2,458 Disability Gamechanger
    I don’t think you should put the DWP staff down they are not doing the acessments but awarding the benefits according to the law and regulations that the government has set. If we the claimants don’t meet the criteria set for the benefits we are applying for then those who accessed us for the benefits did or didn’t do their jobs skilfully or professionally and to an aceptable standard. 
  • PJ45
    PJ45 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
     I have found the DWP staff unhelpful. That's my experience .
  • stree
    stree Community member Posts: 41 Courageous
    Whereas I have found them to be helpful attentive and courteous without exception.
    I treat people as I hope  to be treated myself and I am sure that if I handled the call  by treating them as the "enemy" then matters might be different.
    In fact, one DWP staff member went out of their way to stay on the line with me when things were not going well with my initial ESA application, checked my NI contributions with NI while I was on the line,, rang my GP to get a sick note faxed direct to her, completed my form over the phone for me by dictation and her guidance and would not stop the call until she had established my ESA and gave me my first  payment date. Call ended after DWP working hours on a Friday.
  • PJ45
    PJ45 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Good for you really . not my ecperience
  • stree
    stree Community member Posts: 41 Courageous
    I realise some results really cause suffering, I am not belittling that or pointing a finger at anyone.
    I do think it important to retain a balance of both bad and good, especially for those who may be having to claim benefits like these for the first time, it is important that they see results can be positive as well as problematic.
    I have every sympathy for those struggling and try to help where I can...
  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,856 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 2019
    stree said:
    I realise some results really cause suffering, I am not belittling that or pointing a finger at anyone.
    I do think it important to retain a balance of both bad and good, especially for those who may be having to claim benefits like these for the first time, it is important that they see results can be positive as well as problematic.
    I have every sympathy for those struggling and try to help where I can...
    It is not unknown for some claimants to refuse all help offered by the DWP. They believe that there is always a hidden agenda with the DWP. I like some other claimants am also guilty of creating a hostile environment at a face to face assessment. 
    I don't like unhanded or deceptive people or procedures and that transmits itself towards the assessor. Trust is vital to me if someone wants me to open up and discuss sensitive matters. I simply don't trust PIP or ESA assessors or even jobcentre+ employees - my past experiences of them are not to be desired. 

    Back in 2008/9 I called at the local Jobcentre for some advice. I had worked out that by retiring early and claiming Pension Credit + contribution based ESA I would have been financially better off than working, paying tax/nic, paying my travel costs, clothes, council tax etc. I just wanted them to check through my workings. Instead I received a tirade of abuse from a staff member telling me that I should not be thinking along those lines and that I was a typical example of what was wrong with this country! Gee I only asked a simple question!
  • PJ45
    PJ45 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I posted this message with the main intention of givibg hope to others and to fight for what they believe they are entitled to. Saying that the DWP staff were unhelpful was only part of the message. For some reason and only you will know you seemed to have focused on the DWP staff issue. Its detracting attention away from the message of hope that was the main intention. 

    Best wishes

    PJ
  • fredjr
    fredjr Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    nice one pj45 we all have a opinion's and that's what makes world go around, made up for you on your appeal, im going through the same and i to think the dwp  could be much more helpful  lol  the a letter and my p45 and get a job,,, in my case i love my work and made a dam sight more than im getting now,,, and have spent hours on the phone and still have got any **** to pick it,,, maybe because they have 2 / 3 call centre staff for the uk and possibly  dont give one.
    only my opinion..  
  • fredjr
    fredjr Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    the white south African HCP i had just lied, i should be entering the London Marathon this year with a back pack on my back, if only.   
  • fredjr
    fredjr Community member Posts: 20 Listener
    and i might add if she was laying down ill have no trouble running over her on my TGA with the wide wheels,,,  and i would :-)
  • PJ45
    PJ45 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I rang up the dwp asking politely when i would receive backdated money with p' s and t's i agree manners cost nothing. 

    The response i got was word for word 

    ' you will get the money paid into your bank account when we are ready' i was not even addressed by my name before or after that statement.

    If other people find the staff helpful and polite then good for them. I however did not find that acceptable when i said good morning, please and thank you. 

    Saying no more on the matter. Returning to the main point of my message good luck everybody

    Best wishes

    PJ


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