Posted , 58 users are following.
Hi,
I'm new here..I'm claiming PIP as I can't work due to my bipolar,I had the ATOS assessment a month ago and a text from DWP a week ago to say they have all they need and are making a decision,I have been beside myself with worry,anybody assure me at all that it won't be much longer?
Thank you
6 likes, 233 replies
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vee02311 tracy69588
Posted
Hello,
I've just joined this site as I felt that I should share my PIP experience. I am now in my 11th month, since the submission of my claim in August last year. I had my assessment at home in January, that was in fact the 3rd appointment that atos made with me, as they cancelled the previous ones in the day they were supposed to happen.
I finally received a text yesterday from the DWP, informing me that they now have all the evidence they need. Again this is the 2nd time they have said this to me, but they said the same thing to my benefits advisor 3 weeks ago. As you can iimagine this has left me physically, emotionally and financially in a very bad way. They won't give me back pay as they have kept me on the lowest DLA for the whole time.
les59996 vee02311
Posted
vee02311 les59996
Posted
This is true, however as someone with multiple nurological physical and mental disabilities, I shouldn't be having to cope with this, or be expected to do so. And all things being equal, (which I obviously know they aren't) with the complexity and severity of my problems, I should not fail.
les59996 vee02311
Posted
As has already been said, there are no guarantees with PIP. 'You should not fail' is your opinion, the assessor/DWP may well have a totally different take on it.
Many do in fact get refused PIP and indeed Attendance Allowance where they previously had a high level DLA award in the past.
In my case I had indefinite DLA (HRM & MRC) since 1995. Both PIP and AA consider that I am no longer disabled enough under the new revised rules.
Never count your chickens before they hatch - it only leads to disappointment. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
vee02311 les59996
Posted
I said that I should not, not that I would not. As you've rightly pointed out there are no guarantees, I have not gone chicken counting to the extentt that I don't even know what the rates are for the benefit.
sfarrell38 tracy69588
Posted
sandra57349 sfarrell38
Posted
Hi sfarrell I really hope that you do. I for one do not wish to spread doom and gloom as one particular member on here does. I joined this site to help and get help but in a constructive way. I think " Honestly no idea" is not helpful so why say it ?. Please let us know how things go for you.
sfarrell38 sandra57349
Posted
sfarrell38 les59996
Posted
tracy69588
Posted
So just a quick update!
I applied on the 9th Feb,
Went for ATOS apt on the 23rd may
Had a text from DWP on the 2nd June to say they have all my information
& today on the 4th July they have text with a decision,
I called them to ask as I couldn't wait for the letter (anxiety gets the better!)
And they told me I have the enhanced rate of Daily Living but Nothing for Mobility,
I am annoyed but relieved it's over!
sukes tracy69588
Posted
I bet that's a relief for you Tracy. Did you think you may have qualified for the mobility? They seem to knock a lot of people for that award, even those who cannot walk the 20 mts. I have my assessment in 2 weeks and am dreading it. I'm 68 and have been on DLA for years - MR care and HR mobility, I can barely walk 20 mts and certainly not without a lot of pain, but I bet they find an excuse not to award it to me.
I bet you sleep a little better tonight. x
tracy69588 sukes
Posted
Hi sukes,
Yes I feel really relieved it's over with but I don't know how long for yet.
If I could advise you with anything it would be to make a massive point to the assessor that you cannot walk,and even stop til you can walk again (don't be embarrassed) I fought to walk as far as I did and didn't get the mobility.
I will sleep better thankfully,it's a long drawn out process and really wears you down,I wish you the best of luck x
sukes tracy69588
Posted
Thank you Tracy, your mobility sounds like mine and if it's any consolation, which I'm sure it isnt, by the sounds of it, you should have got it and I'm so sorry x
les59996 sukes
Posted
Like you I too am 68. I used to get DLA indef High Mobility/Middle Care and had done since 1995.
When my time came to transfer over at the end of last year to PIP I went into the benefits website and did the self assessment test.
I was honest with my answers but found that all I would get for PIP would be 4 points for care only - in other words no award at all.
For PIP Mobility the killer is the 50% rule. You have to prove using good evidence that your bad days are more than 183 days a year. It doesn't matter if you can't walk 20 metres, proving the 50% rule is hard.
The other problem with pain, the DWP could argue that as I don't take some of the pain medication I am given they would assume that I am over exaggerating my difficulties.
As for PIP care, as I said 4 points is all I got for using aids.
With that depressing thought I didn't go ahead with the PIP claim and consequently the DWP were certainly quick off the mark to close my DLA down.
It was hard to accept that I didn't qualify, but glad in a way now in that I don't have the worry or stree in having to have regular re-assessments for the rest of my life.
sukes les59996
Posted
I'm sorry that you are not getting the award Les, as for painkillers, they don't always work and often the side effects are so horrendous that it's easier not to take them and put up with pain.
Unless someone has experienced certain conditions, they really have no idea how others suffer.
les59996 sukes
Posted
I agree, the main side effect that I was getting was feeling more 'detached' than I was before.
Another poster on here has suggested that it would not be helpful if you refused the medication - much better to get them from the GP and throw them away. That way it would be building up a medical history that could be sent to the DWP as evidence.
To me that is claiming a benefit with fraudalent intent.