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Happy-ish, but baffled and bemused.
7 years 2 months ago #181638 by FallingApart 
Well, that dreaded brown enveloped thumped onto the front mat this morning.
Brief history. 64 year old male, slightly overweight, type II diabetic for 15 years and no other problems until June 2016 when I developed severe rheumatoid arthritis (both feet, both knees, both shoulders, both elbows, both wrists and hands – thankfully not all at the same time). Started getting breathless, and in November 2016 I went into respiratory failure and spent 5 days in A&E. I’ve been told I’ve got interstitial lung disease. Constantly breathless, resting blood oxygen level about 84% instead of the normal 95%, constantly fatigued, can only walk about 6 meters before taking a long rest, using a wheelchair 100% of the time and am going to be assessed for ambulatory oxygen. Can’t cook, can’t wash myself, can’t even dress myself properly – my wife does all that for me.
So, told to apply for PIP, which I did. The ATOS assessment was a joke. The assessor had not read my form or supporting evidence before I was wheeled in. I came away thinking it was a waste of time and I'd be awarded nothing.
So, when I opened up the envelope this morning I was astounded.
Happy-ish, but baffled and bemused. was created by FallingApart
Well, that dreaded brown enveloped thumped onto the front mat this morning.
Brief history. 64 year old male, slightly overweight, type II diabetic for 15 years and no other problems until June 2016 when I developed severe rheumatoid arthritis (both feet, both knees, both shoulders, both elbows, both wrists and hands – thankfully not all at the same time). Started getting breathless, and in November 2016 I went into respiratory failure and spent 5 days in A&E. I’ve been told I’ve got interstitial lung disease. Constantly breathless, resting blood oxygen level about 84% instead of the normal 95%, constantly fatigued, can only walk about 6 meters before taking a long rest, using a wheelchair 100% of the time and am going to be assessed for ambulatory oxygen. Can’t cook, can’t wash myself, can’t even dress myself properly – my wife does all that for me.
So, told to apply for PIP, which I did. The ATOS assessment was a joke. The assessor had not read my form or supporting evidence before I was wheeled in. I came away thinking it was a waste of time and I'd be awarded nothing.
So, when I opened up the envelope this morning I was astounded.
I have been awarded PIP! [
Big Thanks to this site and the Moderators
But here's the confusing bit. By my reckoning, as I can't wash or dress myself, and can't cook or prepare any food, I worked out I should have 25 points on the daily living stuff. They gave me 8 points. I got 8 points for three activities where I should have got 24 points, BUT received 2 points for something I have no problems with and never mentioned once!
The difference between what I should get and what I do get is £27.20 a week. I am fortunate enough that the £27.20 will not break my bank at all, or cause me hardship. I am therefore going to go down the Mandatory Reconsideration route with a letter to DWP with some new evidence, a letter from my GP and a new, up-to-date statement from me and we'll see what effect that has. If that fails I am unsure if I should then go to war with the DWP and start an Appeal, or just let sleeping dogs lie for the sake of £27 a week.
What I want to know is where does Capita and ATOS get their assessors from? Going by my experience, and the experience and reports of countless others on this forum there must be a special Muppet Training Establishment somewhere that churns out people who have the ability to take articulate written and verbal information and facts and from that produce works of fiction to pass on to the DWP.
Once again
THANKS TO THE MODERATORS!
Big Thanks to this site and the Moderators But here's the confusing bit. By my reckoning, as I can't wash or dress myself, and can't cook or prepare any food, I worked out I should have 25 points on the daily living stuff. They gave me 8 points. I got 8 points for three activities where I should have got 24 points, BUT received 2 points for something I have no problems with and never mentioned once!
The difference between what I should get and what I do get is £27.20 a week. I am fortunate enough that the £27.20 will not break my bank at all, or cause me hardship. I am therefore going to go down the Mandatory Reconsideration route with a letter to DWP with some new evidence, a letter from my GP and a new, up-to-date statement from me and we'll see what effect that has. If that fails I am unsure if I should then go to war with the DWP and start an Appeal, or just let sleeping dogs lie for the sake of £27 a week.
What I want to know is where does Capita and ATOS get their assessors from? Going by my experience, and the experience and reports of countless others on this forum there must be a special Muppet Training Establishment somewhere that churns out people who have the ability to take articulate written and verbal information and facts and from that produce works of fiction to pass on to the DWP.
Once again
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