diagnosed in september 14, refused PIP. feeling low.

I haven't seen the programme you mentioned, but many of these 'reality shows' do not expose the whole truth, they will record what they want and anything else get's left out. There is 2 newspapers and 2 TV channels that do this, just to get peoples reactions, of course backlash may come from other sources if they can get that far in to the "media chain". There was a woman here that was on benefits and had a large family, but there was a lot that was edited out for TV purposes and not to go in much detail. The best way is always find out news your own way, and forget targetted media that makes things look good or bad, because that's how they want it portrayed - and you to believe it.

I'll give you a few tips at a typical PIP face-to-face interview:

If you feel that they are making out you have no issues that would warrant any PIP awards, then ask them to stop the interview. Do not let them think they are better than yourself, which does happen in some cases. Please do not go to the interview with a negative 'mind' - this will go against you, but there is a reason for taking a 'negative' attitude, which I will mention shortly. If you have problems which occur daily, then write them down on a piece of paper, the more you have the better.

The system uses descriptor points, knowing the thresholds of various tasks would have its advantages, then again knowing them and applying them to your condition, which is what you really need would be cheating the system.

Your mainly awarded not just from the application form, in fact if you ask me that is the easy part, if you submit correctly - some organisations will help you with this, or even people on here. That form as many multiple choice questions, even though they may look similar, they are not (some require very detailed answers, which is where many people get confused!). Answering YES or NO to various questions would also place your application on the borderline of being accepted or refused! Being refused on the initial stage of PIP, DLA or even ESA, makes no difference - they all follow the same rules in an Appeal, which at the moment does have a high turnaround - (Appeals mean more time for your application and DWP, they are that far behind at the moment with Appeals, most are getting through with no face-to-face interviews. The reason for this is ATOS  is being bought out by Maximus, a US based health board with a worse reputation that ATOS). So, the backlog needs to be cleared first before Maximus take over. As I pointed out in the 2nd paragraph - if the first application fails, whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP! - this is what they want you to do within the 28 day period to appeal, also note I'm not sure if you know this but you can ask for an extended period past the 28 days, if you need more time to collect further data, e.g. a diary of the past 28 days and how your condition makes certain chores impossible or nearly impossible to achieve. The longest extension as far as I am aware is 6 weeks.

Forget about much back pay is accumulating, this is always paid back anyway - what you need to concentrate on is your Award and winning it. The most difficult descriptor to get is the High Care, and you need a partner to be helping you through the night. 

Most awards on the descriptors are worked out by times and distance, the Mobility one seems difficult and going by what you said in your message. If you can walk unaided then obviously you would fail the test, however if you walk with a stick under 20 metres and need a break, maybe because your out of breath then this would put you in the lower Mobility Descriptor.

If you need any help let me know, I will gladly help you out.

Regards,

Les.

I did the online pip assessment last night and passed with flying colours and that was only doing it with when I am a bit more able to do things!

I'm not nervous anymore as what will be will be...I'm not saying

That I will sail thru tomorrow. obvz...but I'm not going to lie...I couldn't if I wanted to...I'm not like that...but I have my daughter coming with me and that's all the support I need...as she knows me better than I know myself and can see all the signs of when I'm not duin okay and I pretend to myself..."I'm fine"

I will let you know how I get on....but I'm not sure how long it takes before I will find out!

If I do not get it then I will have to go back to work...until I make more mistakes and I'm sacked!!! Hey ho...

H.R. from work have just sent me a form to fill in to request all my doctor's notes! I said I didnt mind as it will be 6 months in January that I have been off on long term sick...I don't even get paid when I am off and have had £72.40 a week from e.s.a...at least its something...thanks again for listening...x

Welll, I will wish you luck for tomorrow. I noticed you mentioned your doctors records request was to January, is this when it all started? Some people don't notice anything wrong until later in the disease, which could be noticed in some cases and not others.

Things you should consider that any extra information you can give them on the day, which you omitted from the original claim - would benefit you.

Highlight any current treatment that has changed since your initial claim.

Any medication changes or herbal remedies should be noted, this gives them additional information that you are trying to make life easier.

Any test results awaiting from hospital you need to notify them of.

And of course your symptoms, these vary from person to person - what suits you may not suit anybody else. Don't let them do things that you find impossible to do, as this will go against you.

Obviously, if you need help throughout the day - note down whom provides this care, e.g your husband at night, if so how many times and approximately how long, obviously if this is more than once, and intermittent tell them this - if this intemittent then state it. If the overall care required at night is more than 20 minuites then this will get you on the descriptor care rate

Having your daughter with you would benefit your claim because she can back you up. With her informing them that she helps you multiple occassions throughout the day.

If they ask can they have your authorization to access your hospital records then let them, this will show them how often you see consultants which can greatly improve your case.

If you can manage all of the aforementioned then you can expect an Award possibly within 4-8 weeks, the more information you  give them to deal with the better your chances become.

I have high rates on DLA & ESA (Support Group), but I have a lot of disabilities that I have to live with, and believe me I would gladly drop all benefits and pain to work normally again, my problems stem right back to my early 20's and an accident. I went out last night to a 21st birthday party, wheeled in by my son in a wheelchair and drinking pepsi in plastic bottles because I am unable to hold glass of any kind. We had been there a few hours and all of a sudden I suffered a massive nose-bleed, hence the party was put on hold the lights turned on and I was wheeled out and back in the car. I get used to it, many people panic that do not know me, course what made it worse  I was on Tramadol for pain, so I was 'sort of on a high' anyway - I didn't recognize people to start with. I'm on 140+ tablets a day, and 5 injections in hospital every 10 weeks. It is horrible having to live like this, physically I'm a mess, mentally I'm not too bad.

Their forms are specific and detailed, so give them detailed answers, so they have to read it. Any additional details take with you, remember they will try and make you do things that you would not normally do, if you cannot hold or pour hot water from a kettle, note this down.

Anyway, I'll wish you all the best for tomorrow and hope everything goes well.

Regards,

Les,

Why thank you, Stephieee!  Everyone has problems as I see it, okay I might have more than most and my Doctor calls me a complex case, LOL - but, I get on well with my doctors/consultants! Physically, I am basically useless..lol  Mentally, well that's a much different story. I get on with most people, to be honest it is one area I am enemy - free! I think...   Me and people on chat, I have to be very careful - I came across something recently, using Mathematics and assumptions I find things, normal people would not even think of.... but, to me are very real.

Regards,

Les.

Cherl

Obviously, your claim will not be affected in anyway, but you can complain to the DWP initially, if there's no joy  then take it further.

If you’re unhappy with the response then complain to the Director General of Operations for the Department for Work and Pensions. They aim to deal with complaints within 15 working days.

After this there are other paths, but in most cases your complaint should be dealt with at this point.

Hope that helps, if not let me know.

Regards,

Les.