Partner can't get PIP because he works
Woody1998
Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
Really need some advice, my partner was diagnosed with COPD and Emphysema stage 3, he may have to have a lung transplant in the future. However, on the advice of his medical team he applied for pip and didn't score one point, the reason being his because he works apparently.
He refuses to give up his job until he can no longer do a sit down job, he pushes himself even though he seriously struggles . The accessor basically cut the assessment short as soon as he mentioned he worked.
10 weeks ago he asked them to look at the decision again but this time using his medical records and contacting his team, but he still hasn't heard anything, this has been going on for 25 weeks.
At the moment he's on the shielding list and is unable to work, he received his letter from the bus two days after Boris announced the shielding guidelines. Pip have copied of this showing how vulnerable he is.
As anyone got any advice or had similar experiences, my partner has reaccuring chest infections, can't walk twenty meters without getting seriously breathless, on bad days has to sleep downstairs and is on over 5 different medications per day.
He refuses to give up his job until he can no longer do a sit down job, he pushes himself even though he seriously struggles . The accessor basically cut the assessment short as soon as he mentioned he worked.
10 weeks ago he asked them to look at the decision again but this time using his medical records and contacting his team, but he still hasn't heard anything, this has been going on for 25 weeks.
At the moment he's on the shielding list and is unable to work, he received his letter from the bus two days after Boris announced the shielding guidelines. Pip have copied of this showing how vulnerable he is.
As anyone got any advice or had similar experiences, my partner has reaccuring chest infections, can't walk twenty meters without getting seriously breathless, on bad days has to sleep downstairs and is on over 5 different medications per day.
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Comments
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Hi @Woody1998 and welcome to the Community. It's nice to meet you. I'm really sorry to hear about your partner's current health issues and the fact that he was turned down for PIP. This must all be very upsetting for both you and your partner and I can appreciate your frustrations and worry. I'm not an expert on DWP matters myself so can't provide any insight, sorry, but there are other members of the Community and the Scope Team who are more experienced with this and maybe able to offer some advice to you and if so will post here. Meantime, please find some information about PIP which Scope has put together, which you may find helpful -
https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/personal-independence-payment-pip/
I do hope things improve for you and your partner in the future and wish you well. All the best.
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Yes MR, they have evidence and a diagnosis letter from his consultant, clearly stating his diagnosis, ehat stages a transplant will take place, his difficulties etc.
The assessment was going well, they asked him about employment and once he said he worked, she said she had enough info. Oh and on thr decision letter stated hr was of clean appearance, which was like, so i can't take care of him and hes got to walk around like a tramp. Scored 0 ?0 -
I'm very sorry to hear all of this, @Woody1998. I'm sure some of our members will be able to advise you well on this. I realise this is a very disappointing decision for you. The forum will support you and your partner all that we can. 0
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Ails, thank you i think he is more frustrated because hes never claimed a penny, worked in foundries most of his life (hence his condition) up until a few years ago, then even after being diagnosed carried on pushing himself through pride.
Hes got GP, consultants and COPD nurse telling him to claim for two years, goverent telling him hes in a very risk category hence not goung through the door for 12 weeks and trying to put things in place for when he has to finish work. To be basically told because he works and of clean appearance he can manage his condition, so scores zero.
We'll get there its just annoying that when he genuinely needs help he gets refused and the fact people recieve these benefits who have the same condition due to drug addiction, just strange.0 -
Same here, his medical team have nagged him for over a year plus to apply. Then the assessment was going well, as soon as work was mentioned her atitude completely changed and said it was concluded.
The decision states that they are happy he can take care of himself because he was of clean appearance and holds down a job, which never stated it was a sitting down job, how much time he'd been absent because of his condition. Never mentioned the struggles he has.0 -
Hi @Woody1998
Has your partner, undergone a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme?Does your partner have regular assessments by the Respiratory Nursing team?
Does your partner have an an annual check up, at your GP surgery?This is usually done by the Practice Nurse and subsequent follow up by GP Lead, on respiratory diseases.If so, you should have overwhelming evidence to completely refute the assessment report, you have cited in this thread.
Living with COPD is all about “avoidance behaviour”, that is you do not risk exasperating your condition, you must take time and caution with all aspects of daily living.
Try the British Lung Foundation helpline, for specific advice and support.
My wife has COPD and I consider we are both experts, in the field!
Your partner might wish to educate the DWP on a couple of key points, about COPD.
1. It is incurable.
2. It is lifelong.
3. It is unrelenting, there is no ebb and flow of the disease.Please give me a world, that truly understands the impact of COPD.Keep us informed.
Stay kind and be safe.0 -
Yes all of those, plus he has to see his COPD nurse once a month, consultants every three months.
Thank you, tbh i don't think they have contacted his GP, consultants or nursing team. The assessor was about 20 years of age and her attitude was you can work and stay clean, you don't need it.
Thank you for your advice and stay safe.0 -
Hi @Woody1998
Some more information for you to consider, as further evidence.
What inhalers are prescribed, for your partner to use on a daily basis?Does your partner have a Rescue Pack, available for self medication, in the event of a flare up?
A Rescue Pack consists of anti-inflammatory tablets and a seven day course of anti-biotics.
In the meantime, once on this medication, you seek an appointment with the Respiratory Nurse or GP.
Also note you can obtain GP records, free of charge.
Hope this helps.3 -
Yes he has all of them, his rescue pack is 14 days supply of two different antibiotics and steroids. They already have evidence of his diagnosis, his medication and appointments he has too attendie : every 4 months to see his consultant, every 6 months at the COPD clinic, every 6 month review with his GP etc.
His team are very supportive and will provide any evidence they require.
He has now forwarded an official complaint regarding his assessment and enclosed further evidence, he is willing to go to a tribunal. We will just have to wait it out, its just frustrating and we are completely new to this. Thanks for the advice.1 -
hi, @Woody1998, really want to wish you the best of luck, frustrating yes
dont give up, and keep asking if you need advice/want to vent!! take care, be kind and stay safe 1 -
Aww, thank you. We won't give up. X1
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@Woody1998 are you at the appeal stage now? The evidence you need to provide is about how his condition affects his daily life, not the condition itself. Does he need help to put his socks on because of getting out of breath? What would happen if he tried himself? Does he need to sit to peel some potatoes? If so have you been prescribed a perching stool? Provide a copy of the receipt.
My brain is tired tonight so I will come back to this tomorrow. Please tag me @ then my username alieshia if you have any questions.0 -
Yes i understand that, hes done all of that. He definitely wouldn't of applied if he need help, he's listed and provided the evidence he needs help with and told them what he doesn't need help with.
Thanks for your support. X0 -
@Woody1998 keep fighting! I wasn't questioning his need for PIP I believe what you say. What I meant was the way its written down on the form has to be formatted in such a way that the person reading it knows which boxes you tick clearly. If there is any room for doubt that box doesn't get ticked.0
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@Woody1998 that’s a load of rubbish!! sorry but it is. You can work and earn a million pounds PW. and still get it. I think your making it up lol. I work and get what I’m entitled to if not more! as long as your not getting points for descriptors your not entitled to do to working ect ect.0
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I know its a load of rubbish or i wouldn't be asking advice, I'm not a liar. I definitely wouldn't make up that my partner of 28 years as from Thursday entered the transplant list, i would rather have my sons father and my partner than any money. If I'm talking **** why is his consultant now writing a letter on his behalf stating of the seriousness of his condition and what he needs support with and how its becoming more frequent.
I stated the assessors attitude completely changed as soon as she realised he was still working, to the fact she concluded the interview. I guess we are not wired up to how the system works and how some claimants know how to work the system to their advantage, getting more than they are entitled too.0 -
A gentle reminder before this escalates any further:
The community welcomes open and honest discussion, but it’s important to be mindful of how we speak to one another.
Thank you.3 -
Hello @Woody1998.Sorry to hear your partner’s assessment was such a bad experience and the outcome didn’t go the way you’d hoped.As others have said, people can work and claim PIP, but sadly it doesn’t seem too uncommon for them to make assumptions based on working status.Unfortunately there’s no timescale for decisions on MRs but hopefully you’ll hear soon. The success rate for MRs is quite low so you should prepare yourselves that you may need to take it to tribunal.1
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@Woody1998
Hi there.
I work and I get PIP. I suppose it depends on what job he does. I'm constantly saying the assessors are incompetent and not qualified. Appeal, appeal, appeal. Xrays, operations and other treatments are facts. Just because he pushes himself don't mean he doesn't have problems. I encourage you to fight this.
Unfortunately, whoever wrote the questions is ignorant to uniqueness. They expect everyone to act the same way. It is as though they want everyone with issues to become helpless - victims. The more we challenge is the more we will change things. Good luck.2
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