Hi everyone, hope you’re all coping during these testing times. Looking to see if anyone has had any experience of applying for PIP twice. I applied in 2018 and was refused in 2019 having been given 0 points (refuses at tribunal also), I then reapplied in 2019 and was given 4 points for care component but obviously that’s not enough for an award. I am now waiting for an appeal hearing date (have been for 11 weeks so far) and have been told that it will be sometime in June over the telephone. I just wanted to ask anyone if they have been successful second time round? I just feel this process is dragging on and Id rather just give up rather than deal with the long waits to be told no. I work full time (but it exhausts me) (I feel me working plays a big part in the DWP’s refusals) been diagnosed since 2013 and been taking plegridy since 2018. Anyone work and been awarded PIP?
Thanks for any advice.
ps I have someone from the local money advice centre helping me with this and she is appalled at the refusal and is hopeful of an award but I don’t share her optimism. (I didn’t have their help the first time round).
I can’t give any advice on the appeal process as I am just now filling out the form. My take on PIP, so far…
It is a cumbersome process that seems almost designed to put people off.
The benefit (if successful) is a pittance and for some will also put people off even applying.
The DWP say all the right things… “take your time”, etc, etc, etc but it is still a daunting application process with a time limit.
Even if you are ‘able’ to do a specific thing in question, this has to be able to be done safely, independently, pain free and repeatedly for most of the time. MS good days and bad days can be a mile apart.
There have been a few reported cases where applicants have been mistreated and / or given false information regarding the applicant’s rights. e.g. you are actually allowed to have someone with you during assessments and you are allowed to record audio (not video) for reference.
It sounds like you have already got independent advice on the PIP so that is good. Maybe your MS nurse can also help?
Hello. You got to remember pip isn’t about whether you’re disabled or not. It’s about how independent you are. The fact you’re working may show you are independent. I’m not working. And can only walk a couple of streets. And my mum cares for me. Yet I didn’t get awarded pip
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My advice get help from you MS nurse and neuro, yes it’s a pain, but if you back up your forms with evidence from these 2 at at least, also your GP, now you may have already done all these, so apologises. I personally don’t thing its got anything to do with you working, because I know of someone who works and get both components, she doesn’t have MS, some other condition, it’s her walking that is effected, but if I’m being honest, not as bad as some with MS, so maybe its got to do with how you’re presenting it. Good luck to you, I really hope it goes well, x
Hello Anon, if you live in England, the MS Society retain a lawyer at the Disability Law Service, for things like this. The advice is free. https://dls.org.uk/
Good luck
I am current with this. I mean I am about to go to Appeal. I had been on standard rate care for my mental health purely since 2013. Due to deterioration there, and the difficulties with my physical health I asked for review in August last year. Following 2 at home face to face assessments (I made a complaint about the first), my PIP was stopped mid February. I am a retired SW of many years experience. GP’s and hospital consultant’s know nothing about the scoring process the DWP use. If any of you want to ‘win’ at this you had better get onto Benefits and Work site and read the forums, take membership and learn how to beat them at their own game. Seriously. I did my own Mandatory Consideration and was awarded 9 points. Having said that, they have blatantly failed to acknowledge any of the physical health problems I am now highlighting are now making my daily life more difficult. So I am preparing the Appeal, but will have representation from CAB in my home area.