MSE News: Half a million could lose disability benefits

Anubis_2

No one can answer that but based on what you say, it sounds like you have a good chance. I can't drive either, and I am largely in the same position as you.

I think for anyone who endures severe pain and lack of concentration as their main problems may have a bit of a struggle to prove care needs with PIP if they drive regardless of adaptations, as no amount of adaptations takes away pain or lack of concentration.

The fact you gave up driving, working etc should show you certainly require some help.

angelnww

it is interesting reading this thread. Interesting how many people say they are happily awaiting to be reassessed as they have nothing to hide...

Thing is, assessments are often carried out by people who are not experts in all medical conditions. A question answer session can not possibly show even a day in the life of someone who struggles day to day just to get by. Those who are that confident they will 'pass' the new assessment are maybe those who are just really good at acting!

For me, I have a fairly rare set of incurable auto immune diseases whereby my liver is being destoyed. (it is not anything to do with alcohol or drugs) Every single day have to sleep, sleep at least 2-3 hrs in the day... the fatigue caused by my illness can be all consuming. I also have constant pain, I no longer can cncentrate and my memory is poor.
On top of this, I have had major abdominal surgery a few years ago, which led to partial incontinence and my drugs give me diarhoea.
I have been told by the income support assessors that I am unemployable and it is true that I could not hold down a job. I am in my early 40's and by profession am a midwife. I accept I couldnt even do a desk job I would make a very unreliable employee. There isnt a day goes pst where I don't miss my identity of anyone other than 'a benefit scrounger'
My children help me more than anyone could guess, they help clean, cook and shop. I have been awarded full rate mobility and full rate care, I get a car, there is now way without this benefit that I could get a car. This would mean that me and my 4 children would be more or less housebound. AND YET I can walk.... I am always in pain and fatigue can be catastrphic and at any time I might have to sit down anf get back home so i never go far from my car or far from somehwere i know to be safe. yet if anyone were to see me i do NOT look disabled. I have been abused in a car park when using my blue badge. (apparently I should be old to have use of a blue badge)
I live in an area where benefit fraud is high! I see it every day... the old man who uses a stick as he runs along to get his morning paper, every one of his family have various illnesses and his kids in their 20's and 30's have never worked! But these people have benefits because they are cracking good actors! they will pass the next exams most probably, and yet people like me who long to be well and long to be self sufficient will probably lose out big time.
It is a scary time.

Anubis_2

I think the best anyone can do is be honest and appeal if you feel the award is wrong. There is little point worrying too much because that can exascerbate pain etc.

PIP is bound to have creases that need ironing out, and some may find their award is increased under it. If you have been regularly assessed and re awarded each time, especially HRC/M then there may not be too much in the way of issues.

Those who have had it many years and never been reassessed are the ones who may have to prove their case more. However its a case of wait and see and take each day as it comes. Worrying now will just take away your enjoyment of life today and will not change any pending outcome.

There is a saying, WORRYING does not take away tomorrow’s TROUBLES, It takes away today’s PEACE.

lyniced

Anubis wrote: »

No one can answer that but based on what you say, it sounds like you have a good chance. I can't drive either, and I am largely in the same position as you.

I think for anyone who endures severe pain and lack of concentration as their main problems may have a bit of a struggle to prove care needs with PIP if they drive regardless of adaptations, as no amount of adaptations takes away pain or lack of concentration.

The fact you gave up driving, working etc should show you certainly require some help.

Thing is FA is degenerative and I probably will get worse, maybe needing more care! I really HATE this illness, and would love to live normal life and not to rely on benefits, but this is my lot!

sunnyone

sangio wrote: »

A face to face assessment is generally arranged before you send back your ESA50. Mine have all been set up over the telephone weeks before the ESA is due to be sent back! The last time, ATOS telephoned the same day as the ESA50 arrived.

I would imagine that PIP will be set up in the same way.

Your wrong as usual andy, especially with the IB change over, many people "pass" on the form alone without need for an face to face assessment albeit normally for WRAG.

Anubis_2

sangio wrote: »

What a load of tosh!!

The HR mobility element for DLA bears no relationship to the enhanced mobility element of PIP.

Many that have HRM will not get the same in PIP!!

If you highlight my whole scentence Andy, I said, "If you have been regularly assessed and re awarded each time, especially HRC/M then there may not be too much in the way of issues."

The words "may not" are operative here...

You keep stating in post after post how everyone will have it taken away. You have no proof. Infact some may be better off. Please stop scaremongering, people have enough to worry about in this day and age.

Candy53

Will autistic people get the PIP?

Candy

hunters

sangio wrote: »

What a load of tosh!!

The HR mobility element for DLA bears no relationship to the enhanced mobility element of PIP.

Many that have HRM will not get the same in PIP!!

This interests me as family member filling in forms at the moment, do you work for the government in some benefit department that you are SO sure what is tosh and who will get what?

clemmatis

Candy53 wrote: »

Will autistic people get the PIP?

Candy

PIP, like DLA, depends on needs not diagnosis.

The National Autistic Society has a briefing on PIP

http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/care-and-benefits-for-adults-with-an-asd/personal-independence-payment.aspx

Pig-in-the-middle

DomRavioli wrote: »

I receive DLA, and I am more than happy to be assessed or re-assessed. The way I see it is that I have nothing to hide, and would give the world not to be disabled. If it makes people who don't need the help no longer have it, then so be it.

I have been assessed and re-assessed. There were people in the waiting room with walking sticks, wheelchairs and one on a stretcher. I have trouble walking and moving my limbs and the pain I am in is etched on my face ( I do try and hide it) I used to dance and run and enjoyed exercise, now I can hardly walk and get out of a chair. I do not let it get me down and push myself as much as possible. I do receive DLA and have a mobility car which I cannot drive because my limbs no longer work , so my daughter drives me to wherever I need to go.
If I did not have this help I would vegetate at home and have no value of life. I am not keen on the assessments mainly because the people checking you do not have a caring bedside manner, but I do believe the checks are necessary because there are too many people defrauding the system.