PIP Award

Idiosyncraticb
Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
edited February 2023 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
I haven’t posted much because I talk too much and feel stupid, but I have been reading a lot to try and keep myself as sane as possible. 

I just wanted to say that I have been told today that I have been awarded enhanced rate PIP for 3 years on both daily living and mobility. Huge relief!

I logged an official complaint with both Capita and DWP after receiving the report which lead to them sending my report back and redoing it properly, only this time someone at Capita suggested a paper based report due to my mounting stress and anxiety so I said yes. This time they actually contacted my MH worker and they also had access to my medical records which I provided. 

I know many people would just go with it and follow the MR/tribunal route because they feel like they have no choice, and though I can’t guarantee anyone’s success with taking the complaint route, I will say; If in doubt, call them out. 

Comments

  • Binky1234
    Binky1234 Online Community Member Posts: 478 Empowering
    edited February 2023
    @Idiosyncraticb that is fantastic news, really chuffed for you, just a shame you had to go through all that, anyway at least now you have the proper and right decision 🙂

    I'm still waiting for my decision letter, the waiting is so stressful tbh
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    Hey @Binky1234,

    Thank you for your reply 😊

    It is such a huge relief but it was a nightmare journey that’s for sure!

    I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed for a positive outcome for you!  

  • rebel11
    rebel11 Online Community Member Posts: 1,688 Pioneering
    Well done, great result.  :)
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    edited February 2023
    @rebel11 & @Teddybear12 thank you! 

    I’ve read through my Capita complaint response letter today and they found that correct procedure wasn’t followed.
    I nearly didn’t read to the end because it was 12 pages long, but I’m glad I did because they’ve offered me £130 goodwill for the stress caused, which is an added bonus. 
  • DDN1429
    DDN1429 Online Community Member Posts: 58 Contributor
    That is all great news to hear, shame having to go through all that stress though. Well done  :)
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Thank you for sharing your story @Idiosyncraticb It is encouraging for others going through the same. 

    I'm so glad you've been awarded :) 
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    Hey @DDN1429 & @Hannah_Scope, 

    I’ve decided to use the goodwill money when I get it to buy a load of toiletries etc to put together little wash bags and also some colouring books and pens and donate them anonymously to a local temporary housing place. Hoping that doesn’t seem odd 😂
  • DDN1429
    DDN1429 Online Community Member Posts: 58 Contributor
    Idiosyncraticb said:
    Hey @DDN1429 & @Hannah_Scope, 

    I’ve decided to use the goodwill money when I get it to buy a load of toiletries etc to put together little wash bags and also some colouring books and pens and donate them anonymously to a local temporary housing place. Hoping that doesn’t seem odd 😂
    Doesn't seem odd at all, is a lovely gesture 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Aww no, that's not odd at all, that's so lovely! A lot of temporary housing are calling out for toothbrushes, washing stuff, sanitary products...etc. Colouring books are great for mindfulness too :) 
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    Thanks @DDN1429, I always feel like I’m being too weird so it’s a relief for someone to say it’s not! 

    @Hannah_Scope, I was thinking the colouring books and pens would be for the children that get housed with a parent there, but I did wonder whether the parents might benefit from something along those lines too. 
    Thank you for the tips on things to get 😊


  • Lou67
    Lou67 Online Community Member Posts: 8,740 Championing
    @Idiosyncraticb

    That's a great thing you are going to do, the people that receive the wash bags, and colouring books and stuff will be totally grateful.
    Such a nice selfless thing your doing.

    Take care ❤️
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    Thank you @Lou67, you take care too 😊
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    I love a good colouring book and pens me @Idiosyncraticb. I guess it depends on each of their individual interests but I know a lot of adults who colouring can be relaxing for.

    Please note, congratulations! How are you feeling about everything at the moment?  :)
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    edited February 2023
    Hi @L_Volunteer, 

    I enjoy colouring too, and sometimes cross stitch! 

    I should be feeling happy and relieved and I’ve said I’m relieved before but I’m not really feeling it.
    I think I’m still experiencing the psychological knock on effect from the whole experience.

    Hopefully that will pass soon! 

    Thank you for taking the time to ask 😊
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Cross stitch is too complex for me @Idiosyncraticb :p But I do enjoy watching people cross-stitch, it seems calming! Do you have any favourite things you enjoy cross-stitching?

    It's ok not to feel it, especially with all that you have been through. Would anything help you at the moment? Hope you are taking care of yourself and being patient with yourself  :)
  • DDN1429
    DDN1429 Online Community Member Posts: 58 Contributor
    Idiosyncraticb said:
    I haven’t posted much because I talk too much and feel stupid, but I have been reading a lot to try and keep myself as sane as possible. 

    I just wanted to say that I have been told today that I have been awarded enhanced rate PIP for 3 years on both daily living and mobility. Huge relief!

    I logged an official complaint with both Capita and DWP after receiving the report which lead to them sending my report back and redoing it properly, only this time someone at Capita suggested a paper based report due to my mounting stress and anxiety so I said yes. This time they actually contacted my MH worker and they also had access to my medical records which I provided. 

    I know many people would just go with it and follow the MR/tribunal route because they feel like they have no choice, and though I can’t guarantee anyone’s success with taking the complaint route, I will say; If in doubt, call them out. 
    Hi, I hope you are good and well. I'm just enquiring with regards to how you complained to Capita and DWP with regards to your assessment.  I have just recieved the assessors report which is full of falsehoods and mistakes. For example, I explained I am right handed, but my CP affects right hand side, so I write with my left and often get cramps etc - she has stated a few times that I am right-handed and use my right hand? She got my medication wrong also. I stated I'm a senior carer, she has me as a care assistant stating because of nature of work (quite active and moving and handling), I don't do any hands assistance as senior, administer meds is about as active as I get.

    The assessor also got things wrong or lied about what my partner said with regards to faint/seizures.

    I know I've a bit of a road ahead but any advice would be appreciated.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    @DDN1429 for complaints regarding the assessment report you will need to look on the website for the health assessment providers. It will give you details on there. 
    Assessment reports have nothing to do with DWP. 
  • rebel11
    rebel11 Online Community Member Posts: 1,688 Pioneering
    DDN1429 said:
    Idiosyncraticb said:
    I haven’t posted much because I talk too much and feel stupid, but I have been reading a lot to try and keep myself as sane as possible. 

    I just wanted to say that I have been told today that I have been awarded enhanced rate PIP for 3 years on both daily living and mobility. Huge relief!

    I logged an official complaint with both Capita and DWP after receiving the report which lead to them sending my report back and redoing it properly, only this time someone at Capita suggested a paper based report due to my mounting stress and anxiety so I said yes. This time they actually contacted my MH worker and they also had access to my medical records which I provided. 

    I know many people would just go with it and follow the MR/tribunal route because they feel like they have no choice, and though I can’t guarantee anyone’s success with taking the complaint route, I will say; If in doubt, call them out. 
    Hi, I hope you are good and well. I'm just enquiring with regards to how you complained to Capita and DWP with regards to your assessment.  I have just recieved the assessors report which is full of falsehoods and mistakes. For example, I explained I am right handed, but my CP affects right hand side, so I write with my left and often get cramps etc - she has stated a few times that I am right-handed and use my right hand? She got my medication wrong also. I stated I'm a senior carer, she has me as a care assistant stating because of nature of work (quite active and moving and handling), I don't do any hands assistance as senior, administer meds is about as active as I get.

    The assessor also got things wrong or lied about what my partner said with regards to faint/seizures.

    I know I've a bit of a road ahead but any advice would be appreciated.
    Write a Formal Letter of Complaint, explain that the information you've given to the Assessor during your assessment isn't reflected in the assessment report which you have obtained from the DWP, give examples where what you have said hasn't been reported by the Assessor correctly. Ask yourself whether those anomalies by the Assessor will be reflected in the points you should receive. Send a copy to the DWP and Capita. Get Proof of Postage for each.    
  • Idiosyncraticb
    Idiosyncraticb Online Community Member Posts: 26 Connected
    Hey @DDN1429, 

    I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this at the moment. 

    To complain I first rang both Capita and PIP to register it, giving them an overview of the problem, but my issue with PIP was that the decision maker didn’t pick up on mistakes that were made with the report. 
    Capita will investigate any claims regarding flawed reports. 

    I did find it personally helpful to keep PIP in the loop about things regarding Capita though. 

    When I received my report I used a yellow highlighter to mark where the errors were made and scribbled little brief notes by each one to say why it was wrong. 
    I followed up with an email with full details relating to each of the report issues.

    the email address I’ve been using is:

    pipcustomerrelations@capita.co.uk

    If you struggle to get out, email is handy because it gives you the opportunity to fully explain things and you automatically get a dated record of your complaint. 

    Because they are triggers, I become very obsessive when it comes to lies, dishonesty and incompetence, so I emailed them repeatedly telling them everything about how I was feeling and how I struggle.

    I included a fully in depth account
    of how and why I need support so they had a written documented account that couldn’t be misconstrued, ignored or changed by some dodgy assessor.

    I also included the impact the process was having on me due to the incorrect report, delays and in my case, for being refused PIP. 

    I sent an email with self assessment PIP calculator results and also a months worth of mood diary. 

    Randomly, I included thought diary entries about the most obscure things because I thought it might help them to understand just how much of a mess my mind is. 

    Lastly, I did a subject access request with my GP who thankfully got it done pretty quickly, and I couldn’t download and send a file that big via email, so I forwarded to GP surgery email with the link and gave them permission to view it using my date of birth. 

    I don’t know if this will be of any help for you, but it’s how I managed to get my result. 

    Please take care 🤗 


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