- Posts: 1
- Forum
- Members forums
- ESA, PIP, UC and DLA Queries and Results
- New Member and traumatic PIP experience
× Members
New Member and traumatic PIP experience
- Jono
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
3 days 16 hours ago #302066 by Jono
New Member and traumatic PIP experience was created by Jono
Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. Apologies if this is a little lengthy
I’ve suffered from PTSD and anxiety for over 10 years. After winning a tribunal 10 years ago, I managed to keep my ESA, the judge even apologiesd I’d been put through it.
I originally had real problems with accessing therapy and ended up under the care of the crisis team. Eventually I was allocated a care coordinator and went through various therapies for around 6 years. Unfortunately, I was still left with many issues - it was like my brain worked differently. It was agreed that I was likely to have the problems for a number of years, if not for ever and that there was very little that could be done. I was also advised to claim PIP and my care coordinator provided a letter in support. Although it was clear to the NHS that I had issues, I was awarded zero points in every PIP category. The process left me demoralised and I felt like a fraud: I therefore didn’t appeal.
Since then my condition has certainly not improved and my social anxiety and stress levels have increased markedly. I struggle to leave the house on my own and feel increasingly isolated. I’m in massive debt after trying to survive on under £500 a month for the last 10 years.
My friends encouraged me to reapply for PIP and helped with the paperwork. It looked like I qualified under various categories and certainly should have more than 12 points. DWP say my paperwork was never received. I couldn’t apply on line due to a bug in DWPs system and I was unable to complete a new paper form myself as I have big problems with paper based documents.
I had my assessment on Monday, it was traumatic and I broke down a number of times. They forced me to give answers in ways that didn’t make sense and tried to trip me up.
I spoke to DWP on Wednesday and explained all the issues I’d had from the start of the process. They said they had the report back and a decision would be made in 6 to 8 weeks. I asked for a copy of the report , it arrived on Friday. A friend went through it with me and I had scored zero points in every category exept one, where I got 2 points.
I therefore know I will fail again and really don’t know what to do.
I’ve still got copies of the notes from when the claim was made in December and they exactly follow the actual pip form numbering
Any advice would be really appreciated as I can’t carry on like this
I’ve suffered from PTSD and anxiety for over 10 years. After winning a tribunal 10 years ago, I managed to keep my ESA, the judge even apologiesd I’d been put through it.
I originally had real problems with accessing therapy and ended up under the care of the crisis team. Eventually I was allocated a care coordinator and went through various therapies for around 6 years. Unfortunately, I was still left with many issues - it was like my brain worked differently. It was agreed that I was likely to have the problems for a number of years, if not for ever and that there was very little that could be done. I was also advised to claim PIP and my care coordinator provided a letter in support. Although it was clear to the NHS that I had issues, I was awarded zero points in every PIP category. The process left me demoralised and I felt like a fraud: I therefore didn’t appeal.
Since then my condition has certainly not improved and my social anxiety and stress levels have increased markedly. I struggle to leave the house on my own and feel increasingly isolated. I’m in massive debt after trying to survive on under £500 a month for the last 10 years.
My friends encouraged me to reapply for PIP and helped with the paperwork. It looked like I qualified under various categories and certainly should have more than 12 points. DWP say my paperwork was never received. I couldn’t apply on line due to a bug in DWPs system and I was unable to complete a new paper form myself as I have big problems with paper based documents.
I had my assessment on Monday, it was traumatic and I broke down a number of times. They forced me to give answers in ways that didn’t make sense and tried to trip me up.
I spoke to DWP on Wednesday and explained all the issues I’d had from the start of the process. They said they had the report back and a decision would be made in 6 to 8 weeks. I asked for a copy of the report , it arrived on Friday. A friend went through it with me and I had scored zero points in every category exept one, where I got 2 points.
I therefore know I will fail again and really don’t know what to do.
I’ve still got copies of the notes from when the claim was made in December and they exactly follow the actual pip form numbering
Any advice would be really appreciated as I can’t carry on like this
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- BIS
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 8852
2 days 14 hours ago #302114 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic New Member and traumatic PIP experience
Hi Jono
Welcome to the forum.
I'm sorry to hear that you had such a terrible time during your assessment and that you didn't have help years ago to get through your last PIP assessment.
There are a number of things you can do, but none of them are very comfortable or pleasant.
1. You could make an official complaint about the assessor - If you think the assessor was trying to trick you, didn't give you time to listen, ignored you when you broke down - you could make a complaint. The problem is that if you didn't ask for the assessment to be recorded, it is your word against theirs, and normally they side with the assessor. The only time they side with the claimant is if it can be proved that the report is below standard.
2. Put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration - You can do this once you have received the decision letter. We have a guide on how to do this, (Guide to PIP Appeals) and you need to do it within four weeks of the date on the decision letter. You seem to have some supportive friends - get them to look at our paperwork with you. Only 27% of claimants win their Mandatory Reconsideration - but those that win say it was worth it. There is a Guide on Challenging a Medical Report) which is also worth a look and may help you write your response. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
You should have a look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. I would not recommend doing this over the phone - you have no idea if the person you speak to is accurately taking down your notes. I would also look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. It is huge, but it will give you an idea of whether you actually put enough on your form in the first place. If you're not familiar with the system and how they try to trick you, it's easy to get it wrong. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
3. Put in a new claim for PIP - Once you have received your decision letter and it confirms that you are not going to be awarded PIP you can start the whole process again. This may sound unbearable - but if you have a look at our guides, you may have a better idea of what to do through the whole process. We do advise that everyone records their assessments so they have something they can fight with afterwards. Now they will ask you why you have applied again - and you simply say you are doing so because you didn't understand the process and you couldn't give a good account of your difficulties. You don't have to leave a break - you can do it immediately. This is a better option than putting in for a Mandatory Reconsideration if you think you didn't give a clear explanation of your difficulties on your last form and assessment.
I know everything feels utterly unbearable. We can't help you write the form, but you can return and ask us questions. Just bear in mind, the people who read your forms may not have experience or understanding of your condition. We often hear from people with PTSD that the assessor did not understand. You're the expert, and you just need to find a way. If you're up to it - keep fighting. We have had many claimants who thought they couldn't do it and after several attempts, have been successful. Yes, it's tiring, frustrating, and often depressing, but if you want to take on the fight and you're well enough to do so, we will help where we can. You can only do what's best for you.
BIS
Welcome to the forum.
I'm sorry to hear that you had such a terrible time during your assessment and that you didn't have help years ago to get through your last PIP assessment.
There are a number of things you can do, but none of them are very comfortable or pleasant.
1. You could make an official complaint about the assessor - If you think the assessor was trying to trick you, didn't give you time to listen, ignored you when you broke down - you could make a complaint. The problem is that if you didn't ask for the assessment to be recorded, it is your word against theirs, and normally they side with the assessor. The only time they side with the claimant is if it can be proved that the report is below standard.
2. Put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration - You can do this once you have received the decision letter. We have a guide on how to do this, (Guide to PIP Appeals) and you need to do it within four weeks of the date on the decision letter. You seem to have some supportive friends - get them to look at our paperwork with you. Only 27% of claimants win their Mandatory Reconsideration - but those that win say it was worth it. There is a Guide on Challenging a Medical Report) which is also worth a look and may help you write your response. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
You should have a look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. I would not recommend doing this over the phone - you have no idea if the person you speak to is accurately taking down your notes. I would also look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews. It is huge, but it will give you an idea of whether you actually put enough on your form in the first place. If you're not familiar with the system and how they try to trick you, it's easy to get it wrong. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
3. Put in a new claim for PIP - Once you have received your decision letter and it confirms that you are not going to be awarded PIP you can start the whole process again. This may sound unbearable - but if you have a look at our guides, you may have a better idea of what to do through the whole process. We do advise that everyone records their assessments so they have something they can fight with afterwards. Now they will ask you why you have applied again - and you simply say you are doing so because you didn't understand the process and you couldn't give a good account of your difficulties. You don't have to leave a break - you can do it immediately. This is a better option than putting in for a Mandatory Reconsideration if you think you didn't give a clear explanation of your difficulties on your last form and assessment.
I know everything feels utterly unbearable. We can't help you write the form, but you can return and ask us questions. Just bear in mind, the people who read your forms may not have experience or understanding of your condition. We often hear from people with PTSD that the assessor did not understand. You're the expert, and you just need to find a way. If you're up to it - keep fighting. We have had many claimants who thought they couldn't do it and after several attempts, have been successful. Yes, it's tiring, frustrating, and often depressing, but if you want to take on the fight and you're well enough to do so, we will help where we can. You can only do what's best for you.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David