Lost pip claim
Posted , 8 users are following.
I have had DLA awarded indefinitely for last 16 years having been assessed by 2 separate doctors. In September I was told my DLA was to stop and I had to apply for PIP. I enqired at gps surgery about obtaining my medical records and was told Capita would do this so the only thing I sent to support my claim were photos of my damaged hands and feet ( I have rheumatoid arthritis ) along with proof of appointments with consultants. I had a home assessment at beginning of December, and got the result of that on January 17th. I had ALL of my benefits stopped. The assessor said that I had no problems with my upper limbs, even though my consultant orthopaedic surgeon who has recently gave me a replacement shoulder, told them by letter that I have "severe" arthritis which will result in both shoulders being replaced. A friend of mine recently was assessed by an ex paramedic. Although I accept these people are medically trained, they have no idea the pain I suffer on a daily basis. I am appealing. Some advice, when being assessed they watch you like a hawk, they even mentioned me opening my mobile phone in order to get some info on my last steroid injection. The report also mentioned 8 times that I drive, are disabled people not allowed to drive ?? I used to drive an automatic car because my hands could not manage a manual gearbox, this is the type of thing they will put in their report . Sorry for the length of this, but am still furious .
0 likes, 15 replies
ross01378 carole78111
Posted
denise15811 carole78111
Posted
Hi Carole,
Sorry to hear this. You have 28 days from the date on the letter to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) Ring them first stating you want this then please put in writing. Have you asked for a copy of the assessment report? If not then please do this as you'll need this to know exactly what was said and where you scored the points.
As for evidence, never ever rely on them asking any medical professional for this because it almost never happens. If they do ask, it's VERY rare. Photos, and appointments letters are the greatest form of evidence, what you'll need is consutlant reports, Occuptional Therapist reports, letter from GP, letter from someone that knows you well, a diary maybe from yourself, printed list of all current medication. Any or all of these would be great. What they really need to see is proof of your struggle in daily life. Most MR decisions remain the same so please be prepared to take this to Appeal Tribunal. It's a very long process! Good luck.
They do indeed watch absolutely everything you do during the assessment. On my report it stated i went into my handbag. Fortunately for me this didn't go against me.
carole78111 denise15811
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carole78111
Posted
Hi Denise meant to say scored no POINTS not no joints, that didn't look good. Lol
AlexandriaGizmo carole78111
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Hi Carole I also have rheumatoid arthritis and was on low rate DLA till last November when I moved to PIP due to a major accident, I can now no longer walk without crutches/walker, I have a problem with my hands especially but do believe that if I had applied for PIP with the same medical problem's as DLA I don't think I would have been awarded anything even though I can peel veg open a can lift pots and many more things, I think the criteria has changed so much loads will lose it.
I think you would be better sending all your medical records in yourself instead of leaving it up to them to collect, you can apply directly to your rheumatologists, OT, PT etc
carole78111 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Hi Alexandria, Yes I have arranged to get all my records from the hospital myself at my own cost, but this can take weeks, the time limit they have given me ends on Feb 24th so don't think these will be here in time. My rheumatoid consultant of 30 years retired 18 months ago and I now have a new very young doctor ( not consultant) who I have seen once in this time, she does not know me, and I requested a letter from her to help with my claim, but all she did was put down my medication that I am taking ( part of which was inaccurate) and said she had seen me in clinic and that I was ok. She failed to mention that I had been trying for 5 weeks to get in touch with her for a steroid injection owing to a flare up. Waste of time
Beatifulme carole78111
Posted
Was on DLA quite a while indefinitely, I am 65 and had to claim pip. I had my assessment this morning and I just about stop crying. When I was finished my leg locked and I couldn't stand. I tried to sit in waiting room and I. Could not get down. Good job I had my daughter with me. I think that this is an outright disgrace. I was so stressed that an asthma attack was about to come on. II could hardly get my breadth. I was very hot in the room and the assessor said, it's hot and I. Said I'm hot too. My daughter said to him can I turn the heating off. 😂 he must have been trying to see how I would get my coat off. I was open and honest. Do there's no need to trick. I just have to wait and see what happens. Hope it goes well with your appeal.
carole78111 Beatifulme
Posted
Yes I know what that feels like, got myself so worked up waiting for this assessment. Now have to deal with tax credit people as I have been having working tax credits . Have worked since my diagnosis in 1989 but never claimed anything till advised to do so by my rheumatology specialist nurse after having this condition 10 years. First doctor who assessed me then, told me I was quote ," knackered " eons doctor upheld my claim , so how can a nurse da( whatever that is ) overrule what a fully trained doctor has said ???
issymc carole78111
Posted
It is terrible the way they treat ppl I failed my esa got no points at all had health professional paper work still not counted when I got the fone call the guy said I got no points cause I can get up in the morning 2 wash my face what a joke 😡😡
denise15811 issymc
Posted
I'm sorry but i'm so confused that that's the reason why you didn't score any points in your ESA assessment because you can get up in the morning to wash your face? That really doesn't make any sense since this isn't even in the ESA descriptors. When they assess you if you don't score any points within these descriptors they'll declare you fit for work. Please do take a look at all the descriptors by googling them, to fully understand what they are. Did you get a copy of the assessment report?
issymc denise15811
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Waiting on copy it was the guy on the fone that said that I'm also confused as I passed my pip x
denise15811 issymc
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Doesn't mean anything as i've already explained ESA has different descriptors.
issymc carole78111
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It is degrading aswell cause they must think u lie I got my esa stopped after f2f had medical professionals letters and got not 1 point I'm having 2 to go through job seekers and I cnt even go out never mind hold a job down
caroline25803 carole78111
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StevefromBrum carole78111
Posted
Hi.
Sorry to read of your experience with the assessor. As you point out they might be "medical professionals" but firstly they might have knowledge in one area but that does not mean they could possibly know everything about other conditions which affect the claimant, and do not even begin to understand or appreciate that we are all individuals and it is abundantly clear they have never heard of the word empathy. What might be easier (not easy) for one might cause prolonged suffering after the assessment. And yes they watch like hawk and use this against the claimant. In my case she reported I took my ID out of a bag! In my request for reconsideration I mentioned that it was a light weight canvas bag on the seat next to me, that I reached in to take out my ID with my left hand (I have a frozen right shoulder) but the DM chose to totally ignore this in the MR.
Good luck with your DM and please let us know how you get on.