PIP claimants - email your experiences of the process to Laura Pidcock MP before Westminster debate next Wednesday

Even when they get the details right, they still fix the results. Atos must have been set targets to refuse benefits by the DWP, despite the denials: my assessor actually wrote down everything I told her accurately, which should have given me about eleventy billion points, but then scored me more or less fit

The report was so outrageous that even the DWP couldn't face taking it to tribunal. They sent it straight back to Atos with a request that they rethink

 

Sorry for all of you who are struggling to claim these benefits.

What a disgraceful system.

 

It's the same tactic in the US. It's basically an endurance test. Sick and disgusting.

 

So sorry to hear, but sadly not surprised, how badly the experience of applying for PIP has affected you Liv. It is an inhumane system designed to cut down on the number of claimants. The short time span is particularly cruel, as is the length of the form and the ridiculous questions designed to catch you out particularly if you have a fluctuating illness.

I don't think I've ever completed a DLA or ESA renewal without it causing a relapse. Once you are relying on the income the fear of losing it is very frightening. I take supplements that I know for sure help with some symptoms (L-Carnitine, Vegepa, CoQ10 etc) if I lose my DLA I would not be able to afford them, so my quality of life would suffer hugely.

Last time I had to renew my ESA I paid to see Dr Weir privately, as his word carries a lot of weight in the benefits world. He fights in the courts for many of his patients and has a fearsome reputation for winning. I was living in Sussex then though so he was more accessible. Would it be possible to see if he could send you some supporting evidence, I'm sure you said you saw him in the past?

Sending warm, gentle hugs , I hope the relapse does not last too long and that it is temporary. The only consolation is that the ESA form is slightly shorter and should be easier after filling in the PIP one.

 

I did this, as follows fyi.

 

Excellent email @boolybooly.

I have today gone thro' the assessment decision letter and the assessment report and will be typing this up tomorrow. There are over 20 points to be raised on the decision narrative alone.

This, incidentally is typed as one block covering about 1.3 A4 sides. There are not even any paragraphs! She does manage full stops.

We plan to phone on Tues am and cover the major errors/queries on speakerphone so that my friend, her husband and I can all contribute.
Though tempting, it is unlikely that we will cover all the queries.
We do not want to be unreasonable, but need to emphasise that we will proceed as far as required.

The full list of queries/contradictions/errors and "How on earth did you reach that conclusion from what was said"/"Do the assessor/decision maker/anyone in your department know anything about ME?" will be included as an attachment to the email to Laura Pidcock MP.

 

If at all possible, I'd record the call too. Easier to do it it's on speakerphone.

 

It's as if the interviews should be formally recorded the same as police interviews, with both parties having a copy of the recording. That's how they got to grips with people's words being twisted by vested interests.

Edit: I see @Invisible Woman got there before me.

 

I've just read on the benefitsandwork.co.uk info that recording of an ESA medical assessment can be requested, which is confusing.

In my info you can ask to record a PIP assessment but only if there is a machine which can produce two identical digital copies at the end of the interview?

No, we did not have one of those available. Maybe each local ME group could club together and loan one out to all PIP claimants in their area. Should cover initial outlay pretty quickly.

 

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Now, I don't know that this is actually true: they used to say you needed to provide 2 identical tape recordings simultaneously, but I have heard that this is no longer the case. Two simultaneous digital recordings is acceptable. I'll see if I can find out more

ETA: some further enquires - the person saw a program on the BBC a while ago and thinks there might be something about it on a website. Essentially, some test centres were more understanding/lenient than others. Some deliberately tried to stop recordings, some would only allow machines that would record on 2 tapes simultaneously, others would allow 2 tape machines as long as the records buttons on both were pressed simultaneously........

In other words: the usual confusing mess.

 

Thank you, @Invisible Woman
I will try and ascertain the ATOS view from the duty manager on Tues, if he has the stamina to answer all our questions!
Obviously the priority at this stage is to get back my friend's full mobility allowance, preferably without going to the tribunal stage as it is unnecessary toll on her health and unnecessary expense for taxpayers.

 

Be warned, if you tell 'em the call is being recorded they are likely to terminate it. This would definitely go against your friend's best interests, I think.

Yoou could raise it as a question for future reference maybe?

 

Did I say anything about recording? (of telephone call)

eta:clarity

 

I think I got muddled where I said my appeal was upheld when I should have said allowed, ho hum, have sent a correction

 

I wouldn't worry about it. I think you did remarkably well, it was a great email

ETA - good to have corrected the mistake though.

 

Things are so bad I wonder what would happen if you just did no comment to all the questions (probably rejection for not co operating) you could say you were worried it was going to be unfair and illegal,take months to put right and may kill you so silence was sensible

 

Ihavent been able to read this myself ,its an article about the debate today if I can get the link right
http://www.thecanary.co/uk/2018/01/...rliament-left-laura-pidcock-gobsmacked-video/