PIP Tribunal

That’s brilliant news Whiff. So pleased fir you. What a relief it’s over. Well done x

🤞 🤞 🤞

Went to my PIP tribunal today.. The panel was lovely. A representative from DWP was supposed to be there but didn't turn up.

I have been awarded enhanced for both parts of PIP which will be back dated to when I applied.

After 35 years I have finally got disability benefits 🥳

thanks.
she had interpreter, but wanted her support worker to join the interview too, as she finds it v hard to explain herself, and having to speak about her past sets off the traumatic reaction again.
it was her support worker who initiated applying. to try to get more money and points towards housing.
the support worker is from council housing team.
anyway i will look at the links, thanks.
from what she said how it went, we both expect her to be turned down.

Hi Welbeck.

The assessment isn two parts.

One is on everyday life. Can a person wash, dress, feed themselves, interact with other people without assistance? (and a number of other similar factors. Mental/physical Health ie not being able to socialise with other alone, or too depressed to cook meals, or get dressed without encouragement, other aspects of self care, is taken into consideration in theory but is harder to assess.

Second is on mobility. Which again, could be physical or mental. Ie, you could in theory walk for 2 miles, but cannot leave the house out of fear. Can you physically step on a bus, or are you afraid of using public transport because of high levels anxiety or agoraphobia.

Each of these elements are graded ie points given. The interview then attempts to clarify (if one has a benign view of process) or catch one out (realistic view of process).

If she can work then a number of things will be queried. ie she can clearly relate to other people without assistance? She will eat without any help? she can get dressed by herself? How does she get to work? This is how points are collected. Its very, very basic indeed.

Seems to me she should have been given the assistance of translation for the interview?

I have found that they value GP or better, Psychiatrist views as to back up on verifying MH factors.

www.pdffiller.com/jsfiller-desk17/?mode=force_choice&requestHash=bb9fec9112218ba5701c8dea3f9cb54ee9c31684027843477a4ebc1598f247b3&projectId=1330134987&loader=tips&MEDIUM_PDFJS=true&PAGE_REARRANGE_V2_MVP=true&isPageRearrangeV2MVP=true&jsf-page-rearrange-v2=true&jsf-new-header=false#93c5afd83b474c20b9d39e72e3f5b360

goto page 7 to see the questions and their rating system.

a friend of mine recently had a PIP assessment by phone.
her support worker filled in the application forms.
she has PTSD and has been seeing MH people for years.
her condition affects her life, makes everything more difficult, but she does work.
she doesn't understand a lot of things as she had only basic education and is from a totally different country.
they were asking her how many metres can she walk, how far is room from kitchen, can she get on a bus.
her problems are mental, cognitive and psychological, not mobility.
she found the whole thing baffling.

The Tribunal Panel we saw with my daughter were lovely to her. She was terrified of them and I went with her. They were stroppy with me when my daughter wanted me to talk on her behalf but they were really kind to her. We will ask if we can record any further assessments in future; they really don't listen.

Treetops. Thank you . My assessment was via phone I knew at the time she wasn't listening to me her reported proved it. I am on UC and was given an appointment for the health assessment via video call but phoned and asked for a face to face assessment which they are happy to do. People at the UC treat you like a person not a name. After my interview at the job centre my caseworker said she wouldn't make me come in again phone appointments only. She couldn't believe PIP refused me .

I am always honest as my memory isn't that sharp at times and can forget what I am saying it's all part of HPX which like your condition no one knows anything about it. I am my neurologists only patient with it and I am under one of the top neurological hospitals in the country. Part of HPX our Oesophagus can go into spasm. Which is scary. Babies can get sleep apnea but I don't know much about what happened to me as a child. Only I had constant pain in my legs and fell a lot. My parents took me to the Drs and children's hospital a lot. Told it was growing pains and I was clumsy.

Have you found a support group with your condition ? How I found my HPX Facebook group was I emailed the rare disease webpage. And they gave me the link to The Hyperekplexia Society Facebook page. I have learnt such a lot about why my body has and does what it does. It's such a relief to know I am not weird but have a rare hereditary neurological condition.

I know how horrible it is not to be believed I have been trying for disability benefits since 1988 when I got worse. And couldn't control my limbs and the pain went through the roof.

Thank you so much for your wise words and kindness.

I am going to the Brain Charity on Friday they want to interview for their on line magazine about what it's like having a late diagnosis. And hopefully do people with Hereditary Hyperekplexia proud.

You take care to. 🌹

Sorry - spell check opioids- morphine etc

Good luck Whiff, I've been through 3 tribunals over the years and granted each time. I won't lie, it is scary, but if you tell the truth the panels are very good. I was granted a 10 year award with a suggestion I not be checked again, we shall see.

Mine even suggested that my 'accessor' be fired - he was an ex paramedic with ideas of greatness - tweed suit and a fob watch with Albert chain! The DWP staff member apologised too.

Sadly, I go through it each time as they've never heard of my condition, Oesophageal Spasm, with daily attacks and reliant on options.

You seem to have had wonderful advice and back up, and I hope someone can go with you as the mental support really helps xx Deep breaths, and know you'll be OK. Also, after you win, you may receive a letter stating that the DWP are considering an appeal - don't panic, they never do. Take care Whiff x

Whiff, after such a long wait it’s finally almost here. You have all the backing of the medical profession and you will be successful. Fingers and everything crossed.

Wishing you well Whiff. Take time thinking through questions before answering, keep calm and if possible take someone with you. Good luck.

Cabbie I will answering their questions fully. I remember your advice from a while ago.

Thexwife I unable to work and have been since 1988 due to my disability. When the live jerks started and uncontrollable pain in my limbs . Only reason I can claim UC is my savings have gotten that low I now qualify for help. My husband died in 2004 and his private pensions paid out lump sums but he was only 47 when he died I was 45. I inherited half my mom's estate in 2017 my husband's money is long gone and living on what mom left me but it is getting very low. I don't get my state pension until April. I have always been careful with money as I wasn't brought up by parents who had well paid jobs. But they still brought there own house ,car and we had a week in a caravan every year growing up.

I was born with Hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3 plus a hole in my heart. Found out about the hole in 2020 and have PAF but medication keeps it under control. Only had my HPX diagnosis April last year after having my whole genome genetically tested. As it's in my DNA. And it's rare. My neurologist has never had a patient with it or his colleagues. So with the help of the few world wide who have one of the gene mutations which cause HPX learning why my body has done and does what it does. I am passing on everything I learn to my neurologist. But having my diagnosis my life makes sense I am not weird but HPX.

I am not asking for special treatment but what I have been entitled for 35
years the excuse was always no diagnosis even though I spent years in a wheelchair when we went out as a family as my walking is so bad . Have fallen all my life and been in pain since a child. List of things I can not longer do is getting longer each year. But thanks to my neurologist putting me on Clonazepam I no longer have the limb jerks and seizures. Still have all the other many problems and still fall over . Been using a stick since I was 29.

Please put a reminder up the day before so that we can remember to think of you on the day and channel lots of good karma in your direction so you know we’re with you in spirit x

If you are not successful in your PIP claim there are a lot of remote jobs advertised at the moment that may suit you.

Your posts are well written and as you are able to correct your solicitor's mistakes you must have good attention to detail. Most of the remote jobs are from 16 hours a week, and application is via an online test, so no interview or cv is required.

Indeed or gov websites are good for remote employment.

Saying that, I hope your PIP interview goes well.

I can’t agree with the last poster’s advice to answer just yes or no. Examples of your difficulties are important.
But yes, Benefits and Work has excellent guides for PIP including for appeals at Tribunal.
There is a huge difference between the assessment and MR on the one hand, and Tribunals on the other, where the success rates are much higher.

Good luck Whiff. I know exactly how you feel. I almost had a breakdown worrying about mine and in the end my husband had to go for me. They misconstrue everything you write down, it's disgusting that you have to fight for something you are entitled to. I've always said if I could bottle my pain and give it to them for one day they would see what it is like. Have a look at the website Benefits and Work, I found it very helpful. Try to answer simply with a yes or no when you can and don't elaborate unless asked. 💐🍀

Good luck Whiff. 🤞

My very best wishes for the tribunal Whiff. You have had a raw deal to date. Hope you are successful this time. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Whiff - at last the appointment!

Of course you are so nervous.

and a big yes to get someone from the charity to come with you

Very best of luck to you. Terrible you have to go through this.

I had an awful DLA appt re ill health leading up to major surgery following which left me with lasting bowel problems- I too was treated like a fraud- took my hospital discharge papers etc etc .. the interviewer kept stating I’d had my surgery year before!! I had a friend/police officer with me for moral support-she tried to interject on my behalf re the dates… I ended up displaying my surgery scars which were still quite pink - this horrible female didn’t apologise for her rudeness but did get the DLA … couldn’t go thru another interview like this..really impacted my mental health . all the best Whiff🍀

biglouis did your relative request a MRN or just start with a new claim. If it's for MRN don't hold your breath. The lazy so and so who wrote the MRN decision rejecting my claim copied the PIP decision just put the sentences in a different order as if I was to stupid to notice.

Hence my going to tribunal and that's only because the Brain Charity after talking to me and explaining what my condition does to me and fighting for 35 years for disability benefits they got me a solicitor to fight my case and get me the tribunal.

I hope your relative does win but 70% isn't the figure I have seen . It was 56% win at tribunal. Don't know the figures for MRN or new claims.

Ive helped with the renewal forms for a relative of mine and now they have a telephone interview next week. They are bricking it in case they get knocked back. I told them 70% are allowed on appeal. Unfortunately there is a long waiting time for appeals.

Bridie thank you.

Cabbie I will follow your wise advise and not mention the errors in the assessment... But answer there questions to the full. If they offer enhanced for both I will take but nothing less as that's what I want. But doubt they will offer anything before the tribunal.

My mobility and strength has gotten worse since I applied but wouldn't put in a new application as it's take me this long to get here. Plus if I am awarded what I want it will be back dated until last year if I read that correctly.

I will let you know how I get on .