Are those with mental illness likely to fail PIP?

HI Chris yes its a right shambles isnt it, im waiting any day now to get that letter to say my DLA will be being stopped, i honestly dont think i will bother to apply for PIP, as you say if you couldnt get any points with 18 yrs. of medical letters whats my chances being on no meds and no specialist. A  M.E. sufferer with fybromalygia. Why bother to ask for your evidence if they arnt going to take a blind bit of notice anyway because atos says otherwise. Our son has medical back up scans specialist reports but no not good enough. Problem is folk are being told you are fit for work, sent to sign on for job seekers where they are saying you cant sign on cos your clearly not fit for work so the claimant walks away with nothing to sustain them financialy.  Whats wrong with these atos and the likes of them, why cant they see clearly that most really cant work!

Sue 

making assumptions on certain descriptors or just basing thier opinions on what they see in front of them

Those with a mental illness don't need to return the PIP2 form, so on that basis there is NOTHING in front of the assessor!

All they have to do is give details over the phone to the DWP loosely based on the PIP1 and that's it.

Then the assessor has to try to assess someone that may well not understand what is being asked of them. Many, like myself, go alone to these assessments.

Like everything in life, those that understand the system, those that get professional help and those that can tell a bare faced lie and be believed as they have done their homework will be awarded it.

Those that haven't got help, those that haven't read the assessors handbook and those that are unable to articulate what their difficulties are are doomed to fail.

Years ago when I was signing on as fit for part time work, I went for my interview at Job Centre and all seemed fine.

Next week when I signed on I was called into a room and interviewed by someone else who claimed I could not have any money because I was only available for part time work.

"Yes" I said I'm on the disabled register and I saw Rachel last week"

She said "I believe Rachel has made a mistake and I am now here to take her place"

Then you had better train your staff!" I said.

Eventually I gave up with this woman went to my GP got a letter from him to say I could only work part time and gave the letter to her.

I did get my money.  .

I am still getting DLA at the moment but expecting to have to claim PIP at some point.

Sarah   

Hi Les,

The stupid part about PIP is you can be assessed over the phone, in your home or in an Assessment centre, but they also pass rare cases straight over from DLA to PIP, all they require is the PIP form to be completed correctly for making the changeover. In some cases where no face-to-face interview is required and the 10 year period is given along with the Enhanced Rates on both Components.

But recently I got an email from Benefits and Work website this is just partial quote from that email.

{start of quote}

FORCED DLA TO PIP TRANSFER IN TROUBLE

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) now believes that it will take the DWP three years instead of two to reassess all current working age DLA  claimants for PIP.

It blames the increase on Atos and Capita failing to carry out enough face-to-face assessments and suggests that the DLA to PIP transfer process is beginning to look as badly managed as the incapacity benefit to ESA one.

However, the OBR still believes that 26% of ‘lifetime’ DLA claimants will get no award at all when forced to claim PIP.

{end of quote}

Thats how bad the DWP is under at the moment, it hasn't changed much now, apart from DLA to PIP Claimants on  DLA "indefinite" are no longer being done by postal codes, it is now totally random.

Maximus as made no difference, than what ATOS left the mess in. The WCA contract ended up with a £4 million in loss, because they cannot entice staff to work for them. It might have worked for ATOS last year, and to be honest, it was around November 2014 when ATOS pulled their stunt, but now neither is working. It makes you wonder, why so many people are being told they are fit for work, when in reality they aren't.

I guess what ATOS did last year, they cannot do this year for some reason, I have not seen any documents detailing anything yet - but it probably will, and it will be MAXIMUS trying to pull the same stunt.

Regards,

Les.

 

Did you not ask for a copy of the assessors report to see where you scored?

 

Yes - that is how i found out that Physical Health had low scoring , Mental Health had high scores . So when i applied for a bus pass i had to get my GP to fill out the form so i passed that as well . I need to get the paperwork out so i can see when my entitlement is up for renewalment for both ESA and PIP .

I also recommend anyone who goes for an ESA , etc assessment to have someone to accompany them or ask for the interview to be recorded - both of which one is entitled to , if you don't feel you can do either of those then if you have mental health illness see if you have a local Mind , Mental Health Forum who can appoint a Advocate to go with you , if you have a carer then take them with you - do what you can to have back up to the answers you gave , i do though appreciate that many are not able . When i had the PIP assessment in which i was told would be done at home because i didn't expect to pass it i told my family and friends that i would be okay to go through with it on my own , i was honest in my answers and i passed it .

Please remember that the DWP are re-assessing people who have PIP 12 months before their end date. Their excuse was to make sure that you continue to get PIP without a break in payments. For PIP an end date means little.

They are actually using it to save 12 months of a previously given award. Many find that they are failing this early review.

The use of a scooter is generally a choice thing much the same as having a Motability car. Unless you have an aid that has been recommended or prescribed by the medical/social care profession, then it really doesn't feature in PIP. 

I have a folding scooter and a car both of which I paid for myself. I did have a Motability vehicle but sent it back early as it could be at risk of being taken off me under PIP.