PIP refused and scored 0 points

Hello guys, my names jimmy and im 29 I suffer with Fibromyalgia which has effected my life a lot, I try to cope by myself not telling my family how I feel and take regular pain relief and medication (which keeps increaseing).

I also suffer with suppected T4 syndrome and suffer with my hands and wrists In which I am currently awaiting a specialist consultant after MRI and ultrasounds.

I have started to struggle at work (I own a barbershop) and I haven't been able to earn as much for the business.

I went from 7days to 2days and take a lot of tablets to last the two.

I recently had my PIP meeting and got my results. I scored zero and was told a lot of lies such as things I didn't say or do!

What do I do. I rely on my partner to much already and hate seeing her down. I feel I'm loosing my family.

I want to appeal but what if I get zero again?

Thanks

Hi and Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

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I'm sorry that you are going through this

Your first step would be to request a Mandatory Reconsideration from DWP - you cannot go to appeal without first completing this step. It is not often that a decision is changed in the claimant's favour but it certainly does happen. An appeal tribunal are much more willing to listen to the claimant's evidence rather than relying on the assessment report.

Do you have a copy of the assessor's report? If not, it is certainly worth getting hold of one as it can help explain why you did not score the points you hoped. DWP usually send it out without any problem, just ring them and ask (although we always suggest that you follow up any call in writing).

A MR request should be submitted to DWP within 1 month of the date of the decision letter for it to be accepted without question. Do not delay if the Assessor's report has not arrived, you can tell DWP that you will send more information when you have seen it and they should allow you a bit more time.

Our PIP guide explains the MR process and the criteria against which you are being assessed.

PIP help for claimants


May I suggest that you bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future? This will allow you to return with further questions or comments about your PIP without having to start a new topic each time. We ask members to keep everything relating to the same claim in one topic as it helps us enormously - and I hope you will find it useful too

Hi James
The DWP don't care what medical conditions you have. They are only interested in how you perform the activities laid out in the descriptors. Concentrate on how you fit them, remember safely, repeatedly, in a timely manner and to an acceptable standard.

Morning, this is my first post so I hope I'm doing it properly!!

I too have Fibromyalgia and various mental health problems. I too was awarded 0 points after the initial medical assessment which took place in my home. When I received the report I noted that the assessor couldn't make up her mind if I was a man or a woman (woman) and also that she had recorded a number of items completely wrongly. I submitted a MR and waited.

DWP 'claim' that my further information did not arrive in time, they also remarked that I had just submitted a list of symptoms and that I was only seeing my GP. My take from the initial assessment and the subsequent phone conversation is that because I am clean, tidy, articulate, have good insight to my condition and am fairly intelligent then I am absolutely fine.

I am about to fill in the appeals form, have spoken to my GP about a referral to at least the Rheumatologist - which he has done, he has also said he is happy to speak to DWP on my behalf, which I knew and have already told them, but they have ignored that. Obviously the worry is causing a flare and I do feel that I am at witz end corner, but thankfully you guys have loads of great resources!! Thank you for all your hard work.

It saddens me that the system is still so oblivious to mental health issues and that these people just blatantly put their own spin on what they read!! I suffer with hypervigilance which is sometimes agonising, the patronising DWP woman told me I have 'sensory overload' - a different thing entirely as I understand it.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, thanks for your help and information, I am off to read the appeals booklets.

Have a great day
Julie.