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Just received PIPletter and feeling suicidal

Posted , 6 users are following.

Newburyrat
Newburyrat

hi, I have a range of health issues, fibromyalgia, long term mental health issues, bowel problems, keratoconus and asthma among others, and was getting DLA. Filled in PIP form and had so called assessment, and just received the letter saying basically I have no disability, and everything I put on the form is a lie. Of course Saturday so I can't even talk to them, plus I find phones really stressful. I am currently going into free fall mentally, I feel more paranoid and stressed than I have for over a year. It's not just the money, though my life will be hard without it, but the fact that they are pretty much calling me a liar and a cheat. How do other people cope with this?

1 like, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • s38720
    s38720 Newburyrat

    Posted

    sorry to here about your pip . my son also was refused his pip. last week. he has mutlple hospital addmission and has multiple chonic heath conditions. which means nothing to pip. they only give points on how your heath affects you on a good day over 50% of the time. if you ill more then this that does not get your pip. how to prove a good day? who knows. i work with someone who has a slight limp and she got pip a few moths ago she said it was easy. she got it for care and mobility. so the more ill you are it seems less likely you get it . but appeal it and wite hoe your illness affects you on a good day
    • Newburyrat
      Newburyrat s38720

      Posted

      Thanks, yes, being more ill means it is harder to prove, also I think if you are a person who doesn't make a fuss, and tries to do things yourself and find ways to cope, then you lose out.  Same thing has happened to someone else at the drop in centre, she works part time and copes, so everyone assumes she's well. Still, I've asked for it to be reviewed, so wait and see
    • les59996
      les59996 Newburyrat

      Posted

      So true.

      We went to see our son's ex mother in law who we have not seen for years. We decided to take her out for dinner. Arrived at the pub for lunch and parked in the disabled bay. From the back of the car came a cry from her that we should not park there as I did not have a BB. Got the badge out whereupon she said that I was NOT disabled!!!!

      I attempted to explain but she would have none of it.

      Why? Because I never complain, always 'appear' healthy, and actually spend more hours each week in voluntary positions than I did in hours when I was working before I retired.

      Great start to the day!!

  • Newburyrat
    Newburyrat

    Posted

    Well, update on my claim...I wrote to DWP asking for my claim to be looked at again, pointing out the ways it had been a farce, had to write as no email for them, and I can't handle phones. Today I had a letter from ASOS, telling me that  there was nothing wrong with their process, that the opinion of the assessor was only an opinion and I shouldn't take it seriously, and that they did have an email. Also, that I needed to contact the DWP, to ask for my claim to be reconsidered.

    what is going on? Who wants to s dealing with things, ASOS or DWP, and why did my letter to DWP get sent to ASOS? I think that they are passing me from one to the other until I run out of time and they can reject my claim! My paranoia is now really flaring up, and I am finding it pretty hard to cope!

    • anthony97723
      anthony97723 Newburyrat

      Posted

      Hi NR

      When you sent off the letter to the DWP was it to the post handling centre in Wolverhampton? Also did you send it recorded delivery?

      As far as ATOS is concerned nothing will surprise me anymore. The assessor's opinion is very serious as it has very perfound serious consequences.

      That said the important thing is to ensure you don't run out of time. Contact the DWP and see if your MR is under way, if not then get another letter in the post ASAP and send it recorded delivery.

    • Newburyrat
      Newburyrat anthony97723

      Posted

      Hi Anthony, I sent the letter to the Wolverhampton centre, which is why I was confused by getting a reply from ATOS. No, I haven't had any response from DWP, but I guess that's normal, I'll take your advice and send another request for mr by recorded delivery, can't contact them by email, and can't handle phones, so until they reply I have no idea what's happening, 
    • anthony97723
      anthony97723 Newburyrat

      Posted

      Hi NR

      As your MR request was sent to the DWP I can't give you any possible reason to what is going on?

      As I stated above ATOS shouldn't be stating that the opinion of the assessor shouldn't be taken seriously as that opinion has profound serious consequences for you and their attitude is unprofessional. Personally I would write back and let them know that.

      I think you are doing the right thing in sending a second letter, best to cover your back.

    • les59996
      les59996 Newburyrat

      Posted

      "Today I had a letter from ATOS, telling me that  there was nothing wrong with their process, that the opinion of the assessor was only an opinion and I shouldn't take it seriously,"

      The question then is why do the DWP take the assessors report as being better and more qualified evidence over evidence that the claimant sends in? It is very rare for the DWP not to rubber stamp the assessors report when making a decision.

       As an example, I had a re-assessment for my Industrial Injuries Benefit back in February 2004. The report was flawed in that the assessor said that the medication I was on was never used for my condition, and that my mental situation was mild and would not affect my employability. He even suggested that the current problem was not the same as the original one!! (mmmm i was shot twice by the same calibre gun in the same place 9 years later???).

      DWP rubber stamped that report and took away my IIDB. 

      It was only some 7 years later that I found the strength to challenge that decision, had another assessment which contradicted the 2004 assessment report. I gained my IIDB back from when I asked for the review in March 2011. The DWP then agreed that the 2004 decision was completely flawed and changed the 2004 decision to the correct one. 

      When I asked about the back pay (Feb 2004 - March 2011) I was told that as I had not appealed even though I proved that I was so ill for those 7 years that I could not have appealed, they said tough! 

      Eventually I got a letter from the DWP explaining that the assessor's report from 2004 was only an opinion and not fact so the validity of it could not be challenged!!!!

       

    • Newburyrat
      Newburyrat anthony97723

      Posted

      Well, I have sent another copy of my letter recorded delivery, also had another reply from ASOS, saying that yes, they did have my letter forwarded from DWP, and that as far as they know PIP are considering my request for mandatory reconsideration. But, of course no acknowledgement from DWP direct. Also repeated the it is only an opinion and don't take it personally, but, of course it is personal, their health professional is saying I am a liar, so how is it not personal!

      also, I emailed the equality advisory support service, and on their advice I have sent a formal letter to DWP requesting a reasonable adjustment- email access to them, to stop me being discriminated against because of my particular disability. 

      At the moment I can either give in, and sink, or  carry on fighting!

    • anthony97723
      anthony97723 Newburyrat

      Posted

      Hi NR

       Why the DWP are forwarding your letters onto ATOS is a mystery but let's not get side tracked.

      You have gold plated evidence that your MR was received by the DWP within the time limits. That is a positive.

      Also things should be a bit easier for you now with regard to contacting the DWP. Equality Act 2010 does indeed put an obligation on the DWP to make reasonable adjustments, again well done.

      Obviously I don’t know your health at the moment or the impact of the stress placed on you whilst you stand your ground but if you can continue then do so because you are doing a great job so far.

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