PIP Meltdown

ct6464

I am writing this here - because over the last few years I have found great advice in these threads. I don't expect anybody to be able to help me in any way - but I need to let it out and there is no-one to talk too. To say that life is totally hopeless and exhausting at the moment is putting it mildly - and yet the blows keep coming.

The straw that finished it today - was 100% entirely due to ATOS - yet another recent PIP assessment - and finding out today that my original enhanced PIP award has been cancelled to Nil (I haven't even received the notification - I only phoned up because payment in bank was wrong). Ended up ages on the phone while the guy was typing everything I said, followed by a mandatory reconsideration phone-call - where another decision maker will look at the information again. I begged them to ring my doctor - and then found out that the doctor they had written to was based on my original paperwork 3 years ago - I have had 2 further PIP reassessments since (both with my updated doctors information).

I cannot even go into what went so wrong in both the run up to the assessment and the appointment itself - after the lengthy conversation with PIP I am absolutely exhausted , still shaking, and haven't stopped crying for the last 4 hours. As if that wasn't enough, I have now just had a housing update email informing me that I will no longer qualify for any housing benefit - so I am going to be homeless as well. How much better can 2017 get??

I already know my company is going down the swaney, because I am so burnt out and struggling. To keep me sane, I keep busy, until I physically cannot do anymore. Total burnout regularly occurs - Got psych review again next week for medication and state of mind - But hey why bother when I got told today that my recent PIP review with ATOS has afforded me total mental stability. Made 10 times more abysmal by the fact I am at the worst I have ever been - undergoing emergency crisis counseling - yet I am doing great according to ATOS.

Oct 2014 PIP - Enhanced Care - StandardsMobility (2 yrs) FTF
Nov 2015 PIP Paper Review - Enhanced Care - No Mobility (2 yrs)
Dec 2016 PIP - Nothing!!

I have chronic complex PTSD, depression and severe anxiety. I have suffered for too many years to mention, on a wheel of traumatic events spanning 30 years, but significantly unable to cope since my partners horrific death. The only person who ever knew my whole story and loved me anyway. Yet it was only 3years ago that my CPN encouraged me to apply for financial support, suggesting some of the ways it could help me stabilize my life.

Great idea, at the time, but horrible stress inducing face-to-face medicals - where they cynically and constantly ask 'why can't you do this? that? the other? My God I feel enough of a failure, without a stranger sitting and factually pointing out all my failings.

And the result of all of this - left feeling more worthless and alone than ever - And it's not even about the money (though I am now probably going to be homeless within the month- right back where I started). It is the total dismissal of medical support and evidence with my own testimony - The same a general Joe Public opinion 'suck it up'! seems to be the story of the day. I just don't know if I can do it anymore. Thanks for letting me sound off - going to curl in a ball and try to stop crying for now, as there really is not much else I can do!!

UPDATE - 2hours later, still climbing the walls, cannot calm down, no-where to turn - over 80+ views to this rant - but as suspected there is no advice available. No point even engaging with the services - congrats to ATOS - for putting in the final boot today - Sorry for bothering you all with my woes - ATOS are welcome to stick another notch onto their belt of suffering - I genuinely cannot face being homeless again - I need to be with the one person that truly loved me. They win - one more pushed = I quit!!

Confuseddot

Ok take a step back and try and do something else for a bit whether its a walk or bath or something else that you enjoy.

Can you speak to the crisis counselling people ? Give the Samaritans a call or something similar if you are feeling that bad.

Did you get help filling in the forms from anyone ? Make an appointment to speak to CAB they should be able to help appeal the PIP and housing benefit decision.

rockingbilly

Confuseddot wrote: »

Make an appointment to speak to CAB they should be able to help appeal the PIP and housing benefit decision.

I have my PIP2 to complete and get it back to them by the 7th Feb. After giving it great thought over the past week I telephoned the CAB to make an appointment to give me some help I was told no, you have to come down to us in the morning. So off I trotted this morning at 7.30 (the doors open at 8). Went in clutching my paper work, had a prelim interview and told to go home and wait for a telephone call/letter to confirm the appointment to get help. So asked CAB how long before I hear, told it will be at least 4 weeks.
Now my maths makes that the 16th Feb - the PIP2 has to be back with the DWP by the 7th!!!

So don't go expecting to get help from the CAB any time soon!

By the way when I phoned up to start the claim off and because of the health problems I have and telling them that I don't have anyone to help me fill out the form the girl said that she would arrange for someone from the DWP to come out to help. That was on the 7th Jan and haven't heard a thing since.

Do I really need all of this aggro?

NeilCr

Different CABs work in different ways so you might well be okay at your local one OP

It's worth remembering that many CABs are mainly staffed by volunteers and, if they are anywhere like the one I am at, can be the only advice service in the area. Pretty much everyone - council, police, solicitors (!) send clients our way

I'm sorry to hear your story rockingbilly. I know that we do take account of time limits. Is it possible that you could call the DWP and ask for an extension. In my experience if you explain that you are awaiting a CAB appointment they are usually fine about that

serenaly

I am afraid I have no advice for you, but just want to let you know that I am too in similar circumstances. I too have a diagnosis of PTSD, severe anxiety and depression and apart from the tablets am going through EMDR therapy (which is doing more harm than good at the moment) Don't throw in the towel, people need to be aware how crippling these problems are and be more mindful of the effects that have not only on us but our families. This is the second time I have applied for PIP the first time I was only 1 point short of both, I asked for a mandatory reconsideration which came back the same, I did not pursue it and have reapplied after a particularly crippling last couple of months. I am awaiting the knockback be honest though!

lemontart

I tried to kill myself after my pip renewal turned down, again I found out after finding payment did not go in and calling dwp. failed mr and now going to appeal. all I can say is deep breath and fight on - major hugs to you xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

GlasweJen

Ok, I know it's hard but try not to melt down. Call MIND and explain what's happening, they can help with forms and crisis support.

MummyMoo

I can't imagine how hard this must be for you I have Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, so I can sympathise with you about how you are being treated. You summed up my experience also of having to fight to prove being ill when you said "I feel enough of a failure, without a stranger sitting and factually pointing out all my failings". It's completely degrading to share my most horrid actions and thoughts with someone I don't know and is paid to judge me, stuff I am embarrassed of and have only shared with my best friend (not even my serious relationships know what MH has lead me to do). I've already proven my disorders are diagnosed by medical practitioners that are experts in Mental health, and my GP who has been with me for over 10 years; but then I have to convince a stranger in the space of half an hour that I am worthy of being classed as too ill to work. I'm a qualified teacher with a Masters degree and a single parent; why would I chose an income of just over £9 on benefits verses starting wage rate of £23k?! So yes, I feel and share your pain. It's not personal to you the way you have been treated, it's not because you have done something wrong, it's just the system is unfair and flawed (especially for MH!) and you need to fight it!

On a practical note.. what is your current housing situation? Council or private tenent or mortgage? The key thing to stopping the risk of homeslessness (yep, I've been homeless a few times too, last one five years ago) is communication. Landlords are aware that the housing benefit system has hiccups sometimes and are usually tolerating for a few months. But you MUST tell them.

Also, employment... have you thought about transferring over to ESA? It might be worth looking at the criteria. I know benefits are the bane of your life at the moment, but if it affecting you this much then maybe you need a few months/a year out to recouperate.

rockingbilly

NeilCr wrote: »

Different CABs work in different ways so you might well be okay at your local one OP

It's worth remembering that many CABs are mainly staffed by volunteers and, if they are anywhere like the one I am at, can be the only advice service in the area. Pretty much everyone - council, police, solicitors (!) send clients our way

I'm sorry to hear your story rockingbilly. I know that we do take account of time limits. Is it possible that you could call the DWP and ask for an extension. In my experience if you explain that you are awaiting a CAB appointment they are usually fine about that

UPDATE

I couldn't wait obviously so telephoned the only other advice agency in town who phoned back this morning telling me that the earliest that they could see me is the 17th Feb, some 10 days after when the claim form should be back with the DWP! Obviously I rejected their kind offer.
Looks to me that getting any appointment to seek help fill out the PIP2 is thwarted.
The final solution is as you say, beg to get an extension of time to await the CAB appointment. The fear I have there is that the DWP fail to note my file and come the 7th with no PIP2 in sight, will shut down my DLA for non compliance of time limits.

Ames

You just need to get the MR request in, you can explain that you'll be sending more information later. ISTR that they're supposed to give you time to do that.

NeilCr

rockingbilly wrote: »

UPDATE

I couldn't wait obviously so telephoned the only other advice agency in town who phoned back this morning telling me that the earliest that they could see me is the 17th Feb, some 10 days after when the claim form should be back with the DWP! Obviously I rejected their kind offer.
Looks to me that getting any appointment to seek help fill out the PIP2 is thwarted.
The final solution is as you say, beg to get an extension of time to await the CAB appointment. The fear I have there is that the DWP fail to note my file and come the 7th with no PIP2 in sight, will shut down my DLA for non compliance of time limits.

No need to beg. A clear explanation usually works well.

Try not to be too negative. Your appointment request is not thwarted. Believe it or not (and, sadly some of the posts on this forum don't help) the DWP can be pretty flexible if you explain the situation.

It may be worth getting a set appointment with CAB/advice centre and asking if they are prepared to contact the DWP on your behalf if you don't feel you can do it yourself

Good luck!