PIP discriminating against working people?

BorisThomson

Don't feed the troll guys. We all know his habit of turning other people's threads into all about him.

easy

This all seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill - Although many of us have long-standing conditions which don't require on-going medication or medical interventions, I'm sure that our condition is documented in the GP's records.
So, when submitting a PIP application you get a GP's appointment and go in to discuss the fact that you need medical evidence. Any GP worth his/her salt will check with you how you continue to be affected, and should be able to produce a letter confirming that you still have the condition.
When I went in for a routine "well woman check" I mentioned it to my GP, and told her that I anticipated receiving the PIP invitation letter sometime in the next few months. She made an entry on my notes at that point, and told me to call them when I need the letter.

So, don't fret about not having "recent evidence", just take a little time to get some, and send that in alongside any older, more detailed evidence you might have.

Danday

That easy is more likely to be easier said than done. For a start it depends on the GP. Some are fully supportive, others refuse to entertain anything to do with the benefit system. If you do get a supportive GP the cost of that letter may well be beyond what you can afford.

I have yet to find a GP, get a different one every time I go which is about once a year when they force it upon me or no further medication until I do comply, that actually understands what the DWP want to know which is generally at odds with what a GP thinks they want to know.

WeAreGhosts

Just add him to your ignore list, everyone. He'll soon get tired of talking to himself.

Alice_Holt

OP

Some useful resources:
PIP points - https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

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

https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/178163/mandatory-reconsideration-request.pdf

It's likely you will need to take it to appeal.
http://formfinder.hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/sscs1-eng.pdf

wanderlust35

Just to add some clarity to employment and PIP. As most people have correctly pointed out, employment should not be a barrier to claiming PIP. However, and having been through many a PIP and tribunal process, if employment has been identified they (decision makers and Atos/Capita) will be looking to see if the nature of the employment contradicts any of the restrictions claimed.

For example, a person states they can not engage with others due to severe anxiety but they work full time in an office. This employment type would suggest a level of engagement with others day to day and, therefore, likely they would score zero on this discriptor. I’m not saying this is right or that I am in agreement with these practices but this is what happens. A tribunal judge will also consider the nature of a person’s employment and also if the type of employment contradicts any of the restrictions claimed.

In terms of the OP, the fact you work from home is an important point. If you haven’t already, reiterate this in any MR/Appeal request. If you have specialist equipment to enable you to do your job or any other reasonable adjustments then mention this also. Document all help and support you require to be able to do your role.

Be prepared for that fact you will probably have to go to a tribunal.

Starrystarrynight1

OP, I was awarded PIP while I was still working so I don't think it's always discriminatory. As my conditions got worse, though, I was off sick more & more. I wasn't far from being sacked via the capability (disciplinary) process, had exhausted all my company sick pay and was receiving SSP. I was in such a bad way and there was no way I could have carried on so I had to give up my job.