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Awful PIP interview
- Ring
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2 years 2 months ago #274945 by Ring
Awful PIP interview was created by Ring
Thank you for your help. I asked for the form on 21st Oct and still don't have it 9 Nov. The guy on the phone told me I can upload more evidence before they decide. I uploaded a letter saying I have asked for the PA4 and would like to respond to it before a decsion is made. I also said I was not given adjustments or assistence for the interview which I had asked for.
I haven't been at home for a week and on my return had a letter from DWP thinking it was the PA4. Nope...they made a decision. I scored ZERO on absolutely everything!! There are comments about things in the interview which highlight things were recorded wrong.
Apparently because I can drive I can do everything!! What seems to have been ignored is me saying I won't drive if someone else can e.g. my husband. And that I can only drive for 30min max and not when fatigued from other things. Also driving is in the automatic part of the brain not the part you use to cook etc.
There's other things like because I can sit on the loo I need no help despite saying I need prompts.
They've also misinterpreted my Drs letters saying I have "markedly improved" to mean I'm cured. I asked the Dr and they told me in medical terminology "improved" = less worse not cured. I have markedly improved in the sense that I am not bedbound. But I am not better. Also I asked for letters from so many people and they all said no and that DWP contacts them for a report. That doesn't seem to have happened.
The whole thing is worded very bias to disabled = a person in a wheelchair. Not other types of physical disability and definetly not mental disability.
I asked for a reconsideration today (9 nov). She said I can send in more evidence and that I have a month. I wonder if I'm being told things correctly and they'll decide again before the PA4 arrives :/ (she pressed the button to get another one sent out).
The whole thing is SO unfair and ablist.
I haven't been at home for a week and on my return had a letter from DWP thinking it was the PA4. Nope...they made a decision. I scored ZERO on absolutely everything!! There are comments about things in the interview which highlight things were recorded wrong.
Apparently because I can drive I can do everything!! What seems to have been ignored is me saying I won't drive if someone else can e.g. my husband. And that I can only drive for 30min max and not when fatigued from other things. Also driving is in the automatic part of the brain not the part you use to cook etc.
There's other things like because I can sit on the loo I need no help despite saying I need prompts.
They've also misinterpreted my Drs letters saying I have "markedly improved" to mean I'm cured. I asked the Dr and they told me in medical terminology "improved" = less worse not cured. I have markedly improved in the sense that I am not bedbound. But I am not better. Also I asked for letters from so many people and they all said no and that DWP contacts them for a report. That doesn't seem to have happened.
The whole thing is worded very bias to disabled = a person in a wheelchair. Not other types of physical disability and definetly not mental disability.
I asked for a reconsideration today (9 nov). She said I can send in more evidence and that I have a month. I wonder if I'm being told things correctly and they'll decide again before the PA4 arrives :/ (she pressed the button to get another one sent out).
The whole thing is SO unfair and ablist.
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- BIS
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2 years 2 months ago #274953 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Awful PIP interview
Hi Ring
Apologies that this comment has been separated from your previous post - I pressed the wrong tabs and it's not something I can undo.
I'm sorry the report was as bad as you feared.
Driving often comes up as an issue for claimants, and there are many assumptions made by assessors about what else it means claimants can do.
Have a look at this post by LL26 (moderator) where she explains about driving and how you might fight the DWP. benefitsandwork.co.uk/kunena/10-dla-esa-...8543-pip-and-driving
If you don't drive very often, then make it clear how often you do (if you haven't already). The one issue with driving is whether you are safe to do it. So if, for instance, a person argues that they can't cook because they don't have the strength to carry hot pans and then says they drive a car - the DWP may well argue that you then shouldn't be driving at all as driving a car requires strength and we know that a couple of members of this forum have been reported to the DVLA. I don't say that to frighten you, only to highlight what they might argue in response.
In truth, the Drs letter did not help. You can only reiterate what you have already said about your difficulties. If your husband didn't write a letter last time, get him to write one, sticking to the PIP criteria and reporting what he knows about how you manage and what he has to do for you. If you have any other family member or friend who knows - get them to do the same.
The people who told you the DWP request reports are talking rubbish. The DWP rarely contact GPs or other medical professionals even though they say they do. They occasionally do it when they think a claimant has not put in enough information.
If you haven't received the PA4 by Monday - ring again. You do have one month to send in your response. While you're waiting, look at the Guide to PIP Appeals (which also includes information about MRs) and how to set out your response. When you get the PA4 there is another guide in how to argue against the medical report.
Come back and ask if you have any questions and we will try and help.
BIS
Apologies that this comment has been separated from your previous post - I pressed the wrong tabs and it's not something I can undo.
I'm sorry the report was as bad as you feared.
Driving often comes up as an issue for claimants, and there are many assumptions made by assessors about what else it means claimants can do.
Have a look at this post by LL26 (moderator) where she explains about driving and how you might fight the DWP. benefitsandwork.co.uk/kunena/10-dla-esa-...8543-pip-and-driving
If you don't drive very often, then make it clear how often you do (if you haven't already). The one issue with driving is whether you are safe to do it. So if, for instance, a person argues that they can't cook because they don't have the strength to carry hot pans and then says they drive a car - the DWP may well argue that you then shouldn't be driving at all as driving a car requires strength and we know that a couple of members of this forum have been reported to the DVLA. I don't say that to frighten you, only to highlight what they might argue in response.
In truth, the Drs letter did not help. You can only reiterate what you have already said about your difficulties. If your husband didn't write a letter last time, get him to write one, sticking to the PIP criteria and reporting what he knows about how you manage and what he has to do for you. If you have any other family member or friend who knows - get them to do the same.
The people who told you the DWP request reports are talking rubbish. The DWP rarely contact GPs or other medical professionals even though they say they do. They occasionally do it when they think a claimant has not put in enough information.
If you haven't received the PA4 by Monday - ring again. You do have one month to send in your response. While you're waiting, look at the Guide to PIP Appeals (which also includes information about MRs) and how to set out your response. When you get the PA4 there is another guide in how to argue against the medical report.
Come back and ask if you have any questions and we will try and help.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- AnonymousM
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2 years 2 months ago #274968 by AnonymousM
Replied by AnonymousM on topic Awful PIP interview
Both my first PIP and ESA interviews went against me, I did the mandatory reconsideration and they both got turned down. It went to appeal and I won both. Unfortunately, it sounds like you will have to go through the same process. Don't worry, there's a good chance that you'll win if you have medical evidence and are well prepared. Read the guides on here thoroughly, and contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They were great for me and someone even came to the appeals with me. Good luck, and remember you're not alone.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gary
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