Please do not give up

I just wanted to say 'Hi'

I was a member here a few years ago and have recently signed up again. I really can not thank B&W enough for the information, help & advice they have shared over the years.

THANK YOU

I don't think I have ever posted on this forum! Perhaps I should have done but at times I can be so consumed with my own grief, anxiety, depression and with fighting this unjust system I sometimes find it hard to express without sounding like a complete lunatic!

My experience in short.

I applied for ESA in 2009. At some point I had a medical. They failed me. I took it to tribunal and won. Two years later I was called for another medical. Again they failed me. Again took it to tribunal and won. I have not heard from them now since 2012/3.

I have been on DLA for 4 years now and am due for my PIP assessment next week. Am dreading it and not expecting to be awarded - not after the experience I have had with ESA!

Already the last few weeks have been hell with Atos messing me about re appointments and cancelling on me so as I have had to re-book. Even a taxi turned up late! for an appointment THEY had cancelled!!

My heart goes out to everyone as we fight this evil system on a daily basis. It is not easy and it is so so wrong. We must carry on as good will overcome evil eventually. Stay strong

Debs66 wrote: I just wanted to say 'Hi'

I was a member here a few years ago and have recently signed up again. I really can not thank B&W enough for the information, help & advice they have shared over the years.

THANK YOU

I don't think I have ever posted on this forum! Perhaps I should have done but at times I can be so consumed with my own grief, anxiety, depression and with fighting this unjust system I sometimes find it hard to express without sounding like a complete lunatic!

My experience in short.

I applied for ESA in 2009. At some point I had a medical. They failed me. I took it to tribunal and won. Two years later I was called for another medical. Again they failed me. Again took it to tribunal and won. I have not heard from them now since 2012/3.

I have been on DLA for 4 years now and am due for my PIP assessment next week. Am dreading it and not expecting to be awarded - not after the experience I have had with ESA!

Already the last few weeks have been hell with Atos messing me about re appointments and cancelling on me so as I have had to re-book. Even a taxi turned up late! for an appointment THEY had cancelled!!

My heart goes out to everyone as we fight this evil system on a daily basis. It is not easy and it is so so wrong. We must carry on as good will overcome evil eventually. Stay strong

Hi D66,

Thanks for the kind comments and : Welcome back to Benefits and Work

Yes, ATOS can be awful in dealing with people's PIP Assessments !!

It is not entirely clear whether or not your Assessment is to be in your home, or at a Consultation Centre, so I will refer to both below.

Either way, you can read what to expect from around page 69 of our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link down the page)

You could also read through the latest version of : The PIP Assessment Guide which was updated on 28th July 2015 and gives guidance on how the Assessor should carry out the PIP Assessment.

The physical exam part of a PIP face to face is generally pretty basic, it is more of a Q & A session.

However, if they ask you carry out any actions that would cause you pain, discomfort or risk whilst doing so, you can refuse.

You should make it absolutely clear that you are not simply refusing point blank and explain why you are refusing.

The Assessor should then make allowances !

For a Home Assessment, you can choose the room where you wish the Assessment to take place, and the Assessor should not want to look around your home.

You may of course want to point out any Aids or Adaptations that you need to use to carry out any Activities that may be in another room.

You can have someone else present, and they can take notes.

A quick "heads up", PIP Assessors can turn up early, or not turn up at all !

For an Assessment at one of their Centres, travelling time to and from an Assessment Centre should not take more than 90 minutes either way using Public Transport.

You should be aware that how you manage the return trip to/from the Assessment Centre will be taken into account as part of the actual assessment.

You may be observed on approaching, leaving and whilst inside the centre.

Assumptions may be made by the assessor with regards to the above.

These assumptions could result in the assessor writing comments/recommendations within the PA 4 Medical Report which they compile and send to The DWP.

Please keep us updated, and good luck !

You should Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser now. That way you can return to this topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have by replying to the topic.

Thanks in anticipation of your future co-operation in keeping all your PIP related queries to this topic !

bro58

Well I certainly wasn't expecting that!! I have been awarded standard daily living and standard mobility for four years!

I've spent all afternoon crying tears of relief! Think I'm still in shock actually!

I scored 8 points for each so I only just scraped in and the letter was absolutely littered with lies!!

On principal I should ask for it to be at least looked at again but my health has deteriorated so much over the past few months with the impending PIP assessment I don't think my mental and physical state could cope with it

Thank you Bro for your previous reply and I'm sorry I did not respond before now. Just all got a bit too much and I shut down somewhat.

I want to thank each and every one of you for such fantastic help and advice you put here & good luck to all who are going through this nightmare process.

Oh and for your information my wait from assessment to receiving decision was exactly three weeks.

Good luck X

Debs66 wrote: Well I certainly wasn't expecting that!! I have been awarded standard daily living and standard mobility for four years!

I've spent all afternoon crying tears of relief! Think I'm still in shock actually!

I scored 8 points for each so I only just scraped in and the letter was absolutely littered with lies!!

On principal I should ask for it to be at least looked at again but my health has deteriorated so much over the past few months with the impending PIP assessment I don't think my mental and physical state could cope with it

Thank you Bro for your previous reply and I'm sorry I did not respond before now. Just all got a bit too much and I shut down somewhat.

I want to thank each and every one of you for such fantastic help and advice you put here & good luck to all who are going through this nightmare process.

Oh and for your information my wait from assessment to receiving decision was exactly three weeks.

Good luck X

Hi D66,

That is really good news !!!

As long as you are happy with the Standard Awards for "both", that is all that matters !!

It may not be in your best interest to request an MR, as they will re-look at the whole awards again.

You can always state it "the way that it is " when your reassessment comes round.

In the mean time, relax and enjoy the moment !!

I am glad that we were of assistance, thanks !!!

bro58

That's great news Debs! Thanks for letting us know and for your kind words about B+W

No...thank YOU. Someone here will be finally sleeping well tonight