Help I'm really scared PIP ISSUE

Brightlight_2

I've had disability and PIP since 2010, in 2015 my husband left and I had a further operation my 2 sons look after me, eldest just 18 doing A levels is taking year out to look after me next year as I'm deteriorating my youngest 13 helps but is having counselling, we all our, my ex was abusive, is still a problem. I'm very poorly, on many meds inc morphine, have very poorly spine, an exploded disc splintered some bone which some was removed in a major op with drilling some left and moves around my spinal cord. Anyway I suffer pain and migraines much numbness and vertigo confusion etc. There's just the 3 of us, my ex was controlling I was kept in a lot. I'm getting a bit better with support. My son was going to uni but has differed. He does all finances, letters, tries to take me out a bit, I'm not used to it yet, I was with my partner 18 years, feeds us, I don't like new people or places etc.
I was on lower rate pip but cab suggested I apply re change as my condition worsening and I should have higher in December, I did, previously I had 11 points. I was assessed and got points but then had them all taken away due to a decision based on medical evidence. This was in the letter I got yesterday. I have no points.
I rang my dr she is very shocked and says no one has asked her for evidence. The woman at dwp said they had letter from hospital. I had a minor lipoma op in February? Could it be that? Very strange they stop my money over that? I'm so scared for the 3 of us, it's so hard for us, my 18 year old is doing his A levels right now. He loses his ema every week to look after me. We all have counselling because of my ex, it was helping, we use my pip to pay for it. Yesterday I got this letter, my son had done my tablet box that morning, I nearly took them all, I take 75 tablets a week. I have never been so scared or felt so terrible for my son. He works so hard never goes out with his friends cares for me and his brother like a dad he shouldn't have to do this and now what happens next year? Does he have to go to work full time as well??? I can't do that to him, he's given up so much and he's been through too much. I won't do that to him. But what happens to my youngest then?
Is this a horrible mistake?
I've made an appt to see my dr dhe will write something for me but I don't know what to ask for and she doesn't know what, there's too many traps, I can't do it, they are too clever for me and I'm too poorly, I feel like a non person, I feel terrible. When I was ill my ex used to kick me and tell me 2 get up. 2 years of counselling and I've got a bit of confidence back. The woman I saw, who I told personal information to , who I felt embarrassed in front of JUST DID THE SAME because she was told to by people who run the country on my behalf, I'm so upset to be treated this way and for my sons, being a good person has become wrong and I missed that, I am not sure I can fight this, I don't have the strength and I know they will win.

Bananas123

hello,

calm down, please!!!

many many people, have wrong desicions made about them, you need to ask for a reconsideration and then tribunal, if you are still not recieving your PIP.

also, if possible, do you think your GP could refer you for councilling on the NHS ? / would you ask them to refer you for support ? (to save spending pip on councilling (unless read wrong)).

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https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/

The latest government statistics show that more than half of PIP decisions are changed after mandatory reconsideration or an appeal to a tribunal, so do challenge the decision if you think it’s wrong. It won’t cost you anything to appeal.

/\ they are not out to get you, etc, they just made the wrong desicion

also, do not over medicate, please maybe if there is someone who can look after your medication etc ?.

theres plenty of people here to help, don't worry, hopefully you will get it sorted soon, you are already over the first hurdle!

kind regards,

Brightlight_2

I've heard and read so many horror stories over the last 24 hours �� It's been very traumatic and I'm just very vulnerable. I am about to start free counselling but I am having 2 lots now, there's a 3 month waiting list for the ptsd specialist and I've just finished something called the freedom programme with women's aid, has brought a lot of things to the surface to discuss that the NHS counsellor says he thinks a specialist counsellor would be better for. The counsellor I've been seeing privately I've now come to the top of the list to see on NHS so I do get 6 sessions. The boys I have to pay for, waiting time here is 9 to 12 months as v rural and only 1 pt counsellor for NHS. £40 per hour.

Brightlight_2

I know it's a lot of counselling!! But I have a lot of meds for my spine so I wouldn't take any for mental health issues so counselling was the other option.

So many people and things I've read suggest they ARE out to get you! And there's loads of traps to trip you up! I hope YOU are right and not THEM

pollyanna_26

Hello Bright Light .
I am not sure when your appointment with your GP is but I thought I would tell you what my daughters doctor does . He writes a letter for DWP giving details of how things have been since her last award .
He also prints off all diagnoses and dates . Surgery and other treatments and a full list of her medications .
Please try not to get worked up by what has happened , it will not help you . Speak to cab they have experience of these matters . As Bananas said you will be able to appeal the decision and get take all the help you can get to do so .
Wishing you all the best now try to get some sleep . I am sure there will be more replies to your post tomorrow .
polly

pollyanna_26

Sorry meant to add the letter for DWP is sent by our doctor but he also gives us a copy and also keeps it on record in her file . The other information of meds , diagnoses and treatment is given to us . We have over the years never had to go for assessment so these documents are sent signed for in with the claim form . I have learnt as my daughters appointee to keep copies of everything sent .
polly

Brightlight_2

Thank you , I spoke to the lady's at my local cab today... They were learning from me I'm afraid. I live in a small town. They are lovely and will be with me all the way but often I know more than them. My last assessment was 2014, I'm only having this one because the cab ladies thought I should be on the higher rate so I rang and asked to be reassessed which was a HUGE mistake, I was on lower rate with 10 points. I'm really grateful for your advice re Drs letter as we will have 20 mins max and she has already asked me what do I want her to do.

Bananas123

hello,

reading the bad stories is going to impact you very negatively, especially as you say about waiting times, tooo much time to stress, you know when you read something bad, and then dwell upon it until the event happens,

this is not good for ones mental state / waste of time that could be spent doing better things (i know, because i do it all the time...)

i claim ESA and they gave me 0 points on 2 occasions and then i got put into WRAG group at tribunal.

they definately were not out to get me, but just ruled one way, sometimes, it takes the tribunal to be listened to.

if you take it personally, it just causes soooo much stress,

ALSO, alot of the time, the "stories" do not come from reliable sources, because when you get put in the group / recieve the benefit you are eligable for, there is no "story" (as one is happy > don't hear about it).

conversely, if you are angry at a desicion, you are going to want to write a immensely negative story,

it's like reading courier (parcel) review sites, you get post all the time, but "the internet" tells you that you don't recieve them / they get thrown over walls etc... (if that makes sense > you only get presented with negative things some of the time)

also, bare in mind, you were in reciept of PIP previously and PIP hasn't changed (it's the same as it was before, just this time they made the WRONG desicion) (human error).

> also, on "human error"; we all make mistakes, they are humans also, have families etc > don't think of them as any different then you are, you are NOT any less then a person with a degree in such and such etc, remember to retain some power for yourself, if you feel belittled by a councellor etc, it is a good idea to request to see a different person, some people do not have concepts of things.

please try don't fall into the trap of thinking that everyone is like your abusive ex, there are bad people out there, obviously, but abusers do not account for a mass of the population, please you have to believe me.

many people are just naieve about illness; like children, they do not have a concept of chronic illness, only "getting better", it doesn't neccesarily mean they are trying to patronise/belittle you etc, just they do not understand.

need to try and instill positivity, try and get alot of rest, fresh air and exercise if you are capable, eat well.

pollyanna_26

Bright Light Bananas is right about negative reviews . You need to use your time now looking for another way to access support to appeal the decision . There are many charities that will help and I am sure someone on here will provide links to possible help . I am rubbish at anything techie I'm afraid !
Anyway my main concern was to let you know what to discuss with your Doctor . I need my bed now and will sleep better if you try to sleep now - as Scarlett said " Tomorrow is another day "
Remember you are not alone .
Night night
polly

Brightlight_2

You are helping, I've been really positive lately then this and then listening to the wrong people, I've taken 10 big steps back. Lots of negative stuff today from people who are convinced they know the assessor a are out to get them and are paid a bonus to take your pip off you and trip you up and ask weird questions and lie about you and all sorts of paranoia basically which may or may not be true but I can't handle it if it is so I'm not interested in knowing.

pmlindyloo

These may see like two silly questions but did you have another assessment after reporting the change of circumstances and did you send them any medical information?