Pip

Hello Shelley13,

I initially applied for PIP almost a year ago (12th October, 2023), following a two hour telephone assessment my claim was rejected, mostly on the basis that I had worked for 45 years in a professional capacity (Qualified Nurse) and that I could drive a car!. Nothing was attributed to the conditions that I had at the time (long standing arthritis , torn meniscus ligament to right knee and what at that stage had been diagnosed as fasciitis to my left foot which affects how I walk adding stress to my unstable knees, arthritic back and applying undue pressure to my hip which has since become painful due to my gait (way that I walk, basically unable to put my foot fully to the ground.)

Following my first rejection, I sought 'help' from the CAB (as described in the information that comes back with your rejection!) CAB droughted a letter for me and I added considerably to this with additional information that had received that had not been available originally. (Radiology reports, MRI reports etc…) CAB advised me that they are no longer able to act as 'representatives for Tribunals but will assist with droughting letters and offering advise.

This was also rejected! I appealed to Tribunal but am waiting on a date. In the meantime, I received a cancer diagnosis, all this 'new' information has been passed to the Courts for review at my Tribunal but no date as yet. However, I was told that there is a back log and a hearing might be several months away.

I 'feel' for you, since the whole process is very long and stressful, also of course (although this would be denied, but I've had a number of other people tell me the same thing; that the assessors are asked to reduce the number of potential clients so as to 'put people off' from re-applying or appealing, simply because there is no funding to cover the cost of paying this benefit!)

I have 'hidden disabilities' as well, but these were also rejected by the assessor first and second assessor as they were not considered sufficiently for me to have or not 'manage' my disability, despite the fact that my disabilities had effectively 'pushed' me into having to retire early rather than be forced out by the underhanded manoeuvres of the Management. Yes, I did work in my job for over forty years but the technology (computers and IT) were not part of my job when I started and only in the latter years affected my ability to work within their 'new' remit plus the total lack of adequate 'reasonable adjustments' that had they all been addressed properly may well have adverted my demise!

Like yourself, I would benefit from PIP, since I have had to spend a considerable amount from my pension pot to live on for the past three and a half years, since I do not qualify for any other benefits and am now too close to receiving my State Pension to get another job. That in today's climate, and everything relying on IT and computer technology that I struggle with at the best of times! I still have to get one of my son's or a friend to 'help' me with what today is considered basic functions on my phone or computer.

I hope that you are successful, even if it takes a long time, hopefully the wait will be worthwhile.

It is true for anyone experiencing the indignity of having to fill in so many forms and give permission for GP's and others to support your case. That said, there needs to be a better, fairer system in place to support those who need it the most. When you read the information that comes with the package, it seemed to me to be very much on the side of people who probably are already in receipt of other benefits, that is not to suggest that the individual does not have need or warrant PIP but it appeared to me to suggest that those who are unable for example wash and dress themselves, would (or should) already be receiving care via a Care Agency or Social Services. However, as seems to be the case with others, many people fall into a void where someone might be able to wash and dress themselves independently, and will do it at 'all costs' for themselves (hence the term independent) but it does not mean that the task under taken is either easy for them or not without a lot of pain.

You are also correct that people suffer hugely with mental health issues, irrespective if the disabilities were present at birth or not. Nor if they were present at birth but just not identified in a person's earlier life. We read frequently that there is little funding for people who may (as I have) suffered unwittingly form neuro diverse conditions, yet they do affect me and in some instances more so now as I did not grow up with the IT and computer technology that most people have today. Also, largely, particularly with females, several of these conditions were not recognised in girls and therefore dismissed. I did not discover my 'hidden disabilities until I was nearly 60 years old but because my disabilities were not noted as a child that gave someone the 'right' to assume that I did not fulfil the criterion for PIP. There must be many hundred's of individuals waiting for a diagnosis that seems also to take for ever. When I was diagnosed in 2018, the waiting list was a year for an assessment within a year or so that waiting list had increased to over two years! Is it little wonder that so many deserving individuals do not qualify?