PIP reviews

Biblioklept said:

OverlyAnxious said:

I wrote something similar to that.  I didn't specifically ask for a paper assessment, although it was implied. 

I'm very wary of telling them I can't manage any sort of assessment as they then just have to take my word for everything and trust that I'm not just making it all up.  I know what it looks like from their side!

I think I might be a bit similar to you as I have no medical evidence and it's all just "my own word". I have a diagnosis of autism and ADHD but have never sent proof of this. In fact my evidence is 100% just what I've written on the form and a letter I wrote alongside. It's not about them trusting you or thinking you're making it up, they believe everything written (unless there is a clear discrepancy), they just need it explained well enough and with evidence (anecdotal) so that they can see how you meet the descriptors. 
Have you had any updates since you sent your form back? 

I agree that's how it should be.  However that hasn't been my experience in general.  

I did a face to face for PIP back in 2019 where the assessor was constantly trying to trip me up and contradict what I'd written on the form.  I had stated the social issues but could just about manage a F2F back then. (Scored 0 points).  I also ended up having to have an ESA F2F in 2018 due to a new GP not believing that I couldn't meet him at the surgery, so he wouldn't sign off the repeat forms.  Caused a huge amount of stress with long term physical consequences but I did eventually get to the JobCentre for that assessment.  The ESA assessor was much more professional & understanding, just trying to understand the situation without the 'trip ups'.

So while it would be nice if everyone was understanding, I tend to be a bit more realistic with that now.

Regarding updates.  I had a Motability leaflet from a car dealership in the post over the weekend.  Wondered if that meant I'd been awarded MB, but it now looks like an unrelated coincidence.  I had a text from PIP this morning (no idea where they got my mobile number, I certainly didn't put it on the review forms).  Text states that they still have the forms but haven't done anything with them yet.  This text comes every 3 months, each time my award is extended.

sierrafox said:

Can your Gp Help with ESA?

Well that particular one certainly couldn't!!     

This was for old style ESA.  I had an awful experience applying for that too.  Initially applied for JSA as I needed income but wasn't able to access the surgery for a fit note for ESA.  Was immediately obvious that I couldn't meet the JSA requirements at that F2F but was forced through it to the end 'because that's what I'd applied for' despite asking to leave several times.  Then had to go through the hell of dealing with a GP (after not entering a surgery for over a decade) to get a fit note.  Then was told I'd have to do ESA forms over the phone.  Not possible for me.  So I printed the forms out and took them to the local JobCentre...where they said I'd have to phone them through at the JobCentre!  Couldn't make them understand that wasn't possible.  In the end, they sent me to another JobCentre, where the lady just took the forms straight away and posted them, which is what should have happened at the first one!!  Then I was called back to the original JobCentre for a F2F for ESA, not sure quite what happened, delays possibly, but I wasn't seen at the expected time, and around 15 mins later I still hadn't been seen, had a major panic attack and had to escape the building, tried to drive home but got stuck in rush hour traffic and ended up soiling myself in the car, on top of everything else.  I cannot stress enough how many of my long term issues have been caused or worsened by the health and benefits services!!

So I never did have a F2F for ESA as I couldn't leave the house for a while after that.  I think my original GP must have been getting forms to sign off every few months.  She never asked me to come in for them though, so that's just a guess.  It was only when she left and I was moved to another GP that the problem started.  On a lighter note, I haven't heard anything from ESA since the face to face in 2018.  Though I know it's only a matter of time now before I end up being transitioned to UC.  Can't really face the thought of that so hopefully that's still a while off.

sierrafox said:

Who else claimed ESA OR PIP without a diagnosis or a letter from their GP. I’m curious 

No one needs to get a diagnosis from their GP to claim ESA or PIP other than in order to get a Fit Note for ESA to start the claim. As explained repeatedly to you benefits are assessed based on impact, not on diagnosis.

sierrafox said:

Cartini said:

@sierrafox - I`m thinking of putting you forward to the Guinness Book of Records for the category of "how can I ask the same question so many different ways with so many different names on so many different forums"

I reckon you`ll scoop an award

I’ve took that quite personally, if I’m honest. 

I have severe anxiety and if I choose to change my username between different forums, that’s my prerogative. 

I don’t feel I’m mentally very stable at the moment but I always believe in the mantra. 

If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. 

On this occasion, I’ll accept you’re trying to make a joke but at my expense? 

Remember, different people are affected in different ways. Some to the point of pure paranoia. 

sierrafox said:

Cartini said:

sierrafox said:

Cartini said:

@sierrafox - I`m thinking of putting you forward to the Guinness Book of Records for the category of "how can I ask the same question so many different ways with so many different names on so many different forums"

I reckon you`ll scoop an award

I’ve took that quite personally, if I’m honest. 

I have severe anxiety and if I choose to change my username between different forums, that’s my prerogative. 

I don’t feel I’m mentally very stable at the moment but I always believe in the mantra. 

If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. 

On this occasion, I’ll accept you’re trying to make a joke but at my expense? 

Remember, different people are affected in different ways. Some to the point of pure paranoia. 

I`m sincerely sorry sierrafox, I misjudged your humour in between your serious comments.

I certainly wasn`t trying to make a joke at your expense, but I was trying to be humorous hoping that you would recognise why. 

I`m sorry, I really am.  I meant neither to offend nor upset you. 

Fair enough. 

Apology accepted. To be fair I do need to calm the hell down. It’s just I’ve never been in this situation before and it’s playing havoc with my mental health (as it does to those without MH problems). 

Problem with me is I try to get too much advice before I make a decision and end up involving too many people. Then my mind gets conflicted. 

It’s something I need to learn.