New PIP Rules

rockingbilly

rebecca_p wrote: »

He has a compassionate GP who is happy to sign him a sick note and prescribe him antidepressants which in the eyes of the assesses is justification for ESA support group...... Depression and anxiety are the new bad back..

I have to agree with you.
I was amazed when tested for Anxiety and Depression by my GP. He gave me a few sheets of paper which had various questions on them 'Have you thought about taking your own life? - yes always, yes sometimes no'
Obviously it is quite plain to see how you should answer those questions if you want a diagnosis suitable for a benefit claim.
Assess yourself and you end up with a whole load of sedatives and anti depressants. Obviously you don't take the stuff you bin it, carefully removing all traces of your name and the GP/Chemists names on the package.
So for all intents and purposes you have been diagnosed and are on high doses - suitable evidence for ESA and PIP.
I was a genuine case but was surprised how easy it was to 'pull the wool over their eyes'

rockingbilly

As a matter of interest when they talk of 'therapy' does that include taking prescribed medication or is it when you are undergoing EMDR or CBT and have to practice at home?

I honestly have no idea. I said no to all parts of the PIP where therapy was mentioned as I am only on medication that is prescribed either by the various consultants and pain clinic.

rebecca_p

I don't like how a person who has depression, anxiety, agoraphobia can be awarded the same rate ESA/PIP as somebody like my daughter who has chronic paranoid schizophrenia. I think with with these lesser conditions there is room to improve and get better with the right support to manage them. How is it fair that people who have anxieties around leaving the house or going on public transport get the same indefinite payments as somebody who's fluently psychotic and has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the hospital every couple of months to be administered depot medication because the side effects of the depot are so bad that they refuse flat out to take them. I think some people have no reason or willingness to get better as their payments will stop.

poppy12345

rebecca_p wrote: »

I don't like how a person who has depression, anxiety, agoraphobia can be awarded the same rate ESA/PIP as somebody like my daughter who has chronic paranoid schizophrenia. I think with with these lesser conditions there is room to improve and get better with the right support to manage them. How is it fair that people who have anxieties around leaving the house or going on public transport get the same indefinite payments as somebody who's fluently psychotic and has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the hospital every couple of months to be administered depot medication because the side effects of the depot are so bad that they refuse flat out to take them. I think some people have no reason or willingness to get better as their payments will stop.

To say something like that is terrible. How do you know what someone with depression, anxiety and agoraphobia go through?? to compare 1 person with someone else is so wrong. You or anyone doesn't know what a single person goes through because each individual person is different. The only ones that know is those that see it, loved ones, parents etc. I certainly wouldn't compare my daughter to someone elses!!

rebecca_p

People can and do exaggerate their conditions. I think if an impartial person like a social worker fills in the disability forms they should carry more weight than the recipient filling them in themselves. I have never filled my daughters forms in and she has always been awarded benefits without medicals from written evidence from social services alone.

Tommo1980

Jeepers, rockingbilly has found a kindred spirit in rebecca p. What a load of ignorant twoddle.

CTcelt1988

Depression isn't always visible and can lead to suicide. Just because someone appears normal, doesn't mean they aren't suffering with depression or anxiety.

bigbulldog

Tommo1980 wrote: »

Jeepers, rockingbilly has found a kindred spirit in rebecca p. What a load of ignorant twoddle.

Probably the same person.

rockingbilly

rebecca_p wrote: »

I don't like how a person who has depression, anxiety, agoraphobia can be awarded the same rate ESA/PIP as somebody like my daughter who has chronic paranoid schizophrenia. I think with with these lesser conditions there is room to improve and get better with the right support to manage them. How is it fair that people who have anxieties around leaving the house or going on public transport get the same indefinite payments as somebody who's fluently psychotic and has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the hospital every couple of months to be administered depot medication because the side effects of the depot are so bad that they refuse flat out to take them. I think some people have no reason or willingness to get better as their payments will stop.

I'll go further and tell you of two people my wife knew/knows very well. One had Motor Neurone, had to be peg fed and needed a forced oxygen mask at night. His wife filled out a PIP claim in 2014. He was rejected completely. He had a home assessment carried out by Capita. She had enough on her plate trying to care for him so was not up to making an appeal. He died six months later.
And the second individual (age 35) has a heart condition (amongst other things) brought about in the main through his constant addiction to illegal drugs & alcohol. I'm not too sure if he has ever worked a day in his life. He has a social worker type person involved on his case. Through that contact she arranged for a welfare rights person from the council (who is only available to those that have an ongoing Social Services involvement) to help him make some benefit claims. One was PIP. He was awarded without any problem EHM & SRC.
Makes you think if the right people are actually getting the help promised by the government.

rockingbilly

rebecca_p wrote: »

People can and do exaggerate their conditions. I think if an impartial person like a social worker fills in the disability forms they should carry more weight than the recipient filling them in themselves. I have never filled my daughters forms in and she has always been awarded benefits without medicals from written evidence from social services alone.

And how in this day and age does one qualify to have a social worker appointed?
I have been known to Social Services since the mid 90's So much so that when I telephoned them to request an assessment given how much I have deteriorated over the years both mentally and physically they knew me as soon as I said my name. The young lady went through a load of questions over the phone about my difficulties then asked questions about household income and capital. To my surprise I was told that I can have three visits a day to get me out of bed, wash me and make me some food. I told her no I don't need that, my good lady does that for me. Then she said OK then, I will arrange to have some aids delivered to you. Fine.
The aids were delivered which do help up to a point. So I telephoned her beck some weeks later to ask about this assessment I asked for.
To my surprise I was informed that as my case is not 'life & death' no assessment will be carried out, we have done all we can for you!

So as I am not likely to die in the next few weeks, Social Services have washed their hands of me.