Epilepsy and ppi

Gig1968

I have claimed for pip just over two weeks ago but I have been reading on the internet that the rate of people applying and being successful with this horrible disease is very low.
I just wandered if anyone knew of many if any that had been successful. I cannot understand why just because it is a hidden disease the dwp do not understand the severity and the dangers it can have

Spoonie_Turtle

Realistically you are far more likely to read the horror stories than the successes because people post their experiences when seeking support to challenge the decision (as well as needing to share to help them deal with the feelings that come with an unjust decision) whereas those who've been successful often don't feel the need to post anything.

However, being prepared for a decision you feel is wrong will at least help you know it's not personal, and you'll know how to proceed if it turns out you need to challenge the decision. Right now though just worrying won't help! Though I know it's natural. If you feel the need to be doing something, just reassure yourself which descriptors you think you meet and why, so that you have a clear idea if you do need to challenge anything - and if you know you should definitely be entitled to an award it will help motivate you to fight for the right decision (if need be, of course)

Gig1968

Fingers crossed I'm confident of the mobility part . I can walk unaided However I have spent 3 months in and out of hospital in the last nine months due to cluster seuzures ( masses of seuzures in a short period of time ie 10 in a day) average is 10 days hospital stay at a time. Several times I have fitted outside whilst shopping in the middle of town or on the street in shops etc and been taken away by paramedics .  It happened once on a zebra crossing scarry. When fitting I have a chance of losing my life if my fits last longer than ten minutes. So as you can the mobility issue and safety issue I think scores a ten or 12. The daily part I don't do so well on danger of cooking etc doesn't score so high. I've sent loads of discharge notes etc off. I read a judge's decision from I think it was from 2017 or 2019 about epilepsy and safety and that the dwp had to take into account more likely or not that a fit would occur or something I'm hoping I might fit into that category. I have no idea when I go out if I'm coming back to my house or going to hospital or somewhere else. I got over it now but you can imagine how that would feel. It shakes you up for a while after you come out of hospital. But I won't give up and stay in I still have a life to live.

[Deleted User]

PIP and epilepsy is no mystery, it all depends and the frequency and nature of seizures, if you get any warning (aura), how well (if at all )they are controlled by medication, and how well you complete the application, and how much relevant evidence you can supply.
When I was moved over from DLA to PIP last year I actually ended up getting more benefit. And I agree 100% that you are more likely to read the horror stories than the thousands who have good news.

Gig1968

I get no warning I'm afraid. Do you have many seizures a month. Are you seizures controlled

Spoonie_Turtle

With no warning you should score quite highly, needing supervision for safety for many of the daily living activities

Gig1968

I hope so just a shame there will be a huge backlog

poppy12345

Gig1968 said:

I hope so just a shame there will be a huge backlog

It will either be a paper based assessment, a phone call or they will wait for the face to face assessments to start back again before doing anything.

[Deleted User]

Gig1968 said:

I get no warning I'm afraid. Do you have many seizures a month. Are you seizures controlled

Mine have never been controlled in the 23 years I've been having them I have around 12 grand mal seizures per month, and 4 or 5 absence seizures per day,(with no warning) I was getting middle rate care and lower rate mobility on DLA I now get standard rate care and enhanced rate mobility on PIP about £40 a week more. I missed enhanced rate care for PIP by 1 point, but that's life and I was happy enough. The assessor knew what she was talking about and the report to be fair was pretty accurate.

Gig1968

Omg that's a crappy life you have with all those seizures you get venison . Is there a cause for it?  Epilepsy takes no prisoners it's a utterly horrible disease. I generally think it is only properly understood by people who specialise in it within the NHS. Mine is caused by faulty wiring in my left temporal lobe. Bloody electricians.
The comment before that from poppy was interesting is a paper assessment just a more detailed explanation of the original form and is a telephone call just to confirm what you have written on the form. Does it last long. Hope I don't have to wait till face to face that could be up till six months or longer depending on the lockdown imagine how many they haven't done allready wow.
Interesting times ahead then. Is it still atos the health testing company I can't remember I had to go about three months ago for a review of my ESA.  Was only in there ten mins as I recall

poppy12345

PIP assessments done by Independent Assessment Services or Capita depending on where you live.

Paper assessments are done when they have enough of evidence to write the report, without the need for a face to face assessment (under normal circumstances) I would imagine, a telephone assessment would be similar where they will ask you questions based on the form you filled in and any other additional information needed.

Under normal circumstances a successful claim can take several months, maybe longer if you're refused. These are not normal circumstances and all you can do is wait.