Diary of a benefit claimant.

Just a quick note as I am so upset had PIP decision. Not getting anything for either part. Will appeal

That's really disappointing Whiff.
Definitely put in an appeal.

Sorry to read this, Whiff. First you have to ask DWP for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Most decisions are unchanged at this stage, but you need to do this in order to take your appeal to Tribunal. Focus on the descriptors and how you qualify, giving recent examples of difficulties, if you can. See if you can get CAB to help - time limit to ask for MR is one month from the date on the letter. You can ring up and follow it up with a letter giving fuller reasons.

Cabbie I will thank you . Tried CAB was on hold for a hour then said no advisors available. There is the brain charity near me so will contact them Monday . Will phone DWP as well. No longer upset just angry as some of the things in the decision I can't do and they are holding it against me I don't have physio or any input from falls unit. No mention of me falling. I fell on Wednesday when out and a young woman got me up. Luckily fell and a bench slowed my descent just bruised . Even says I can get in a bath haven't been able to do that for me nearly 40 years. ?

Sory to learn that you have been done down.

Whiff wrote ^ ... as some of the things in the decision I can't do and they are holding it against me^

Can you clarify that please? I don't follow at present how if you can't do something it can be held against you.

No longer upset just angry

Quiet analysis, relaxed thought and determination.

Gentle wording of your case - don't let them have any basis to deem you beligerent or rude as an excuse to fob you off.

Oh no, Whiff.
I'm so sorry to hear this; not from the money point of view, but from the implication that you were not believed.

Did you record the call, just out of interest?

No matter anyway - on to phase two now in getting what is rightfully yours.

Hey, Whiff, please click here to have some music play

Whiff

Just a quick note as I am so upset had PIP decision. Not getting anything for either part. Will appeal

Complete an MR

.give 2 examples for each activity of what happens when attempted......MR doesn't have a great success rate...but it is the gateway to an appeal at a PIP tribunal.....which has a much higher success rate....look at the PIP official statistics government paper on the .gov website....register on the SCOPE forums...they give great advice....I got great advice from them when applying for both my own and my sons PIP.... I wish you well ?

Phoned DWP and got the ball rolling on MRN. Will know in 12 weeks. One of my craft group told me about the Brain Charity so phoned them they will help me. So at least I am being pro active. I am patient waited 34 years for my diagnosis so few more months isn't going to make any difference. ?

Well done Whiff.

I hope you liked the music from SD, Whiff. I did.
What a lovely voice Tommy has.

StarDreamer the music was lovely. No one could be miserable listening to that. Had my toes tapping .?

Is it just me or others fed up with newspapers banging on about how you can get PIP for this that and other condition. When the reality is it's so hard to get it. What really annoys me is the forms it's yes or no answers when I can't be the only one when yes I can do things but have to do them a different way to other people. Life is not black and white but shades of grey .

They need people who have health problems write these forms. As they must have been written by people who are 100% healthy and never have any illnesses.

Just having a moan.

Because of the support people have given eachother here makes me more determined to fight to get PIP . I know it will go to a tribunal but am ready for that. Now have the support of my local Brain Charity.

Whiff wrote They need people who have health problems write these forms.

Are the questions available online?

If so, let's have a look at them and let's have a go at redesigning the structure and rewording the questions.

Either here in this thread or start a new thread all about redesigning and rewording the PIP form or whatever it is called.

If there is a new thread, then a link to the new thread can be included in a post in this thread.

We can discuss it and if a number of people participate we may well be able to get something good.

I have found this. It is about mental health, but it does contain the questions.

LINK > www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/

I get PIP, if that is of any interest or relevance

Good morning, Fanny.

Bore da, Fanny.

(I am learning Welsh.)

Yes, that is of interest and of relevance.

Thank you for posting.

I have found this.

LINK >> www.gov.uk/pip

Whiff, are you aware of the following, quoted from

LINK > [[https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration/how-to-ask-for-mandatory-reconsideration]

quote

You need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter. If you’re writing, the letter or form must arrive by then.

end quote

and

quote

Applying after one month

You can ask for mandatory reconsideration after this but it must be for a good reason, for example if you’ve been in hospital or had a bereavement. You must explain why your request is late.

Call the phone number on your decision letter first.

end quote

Bore da SD!
I didn’t have any problems with applying for it at all.
It was only after doing so that I learned how problematic it was for many others.
There is a lot online about the points system, and the best ways to go about it.

I have only just started reading this thread, and only seen the last few comments; so I don’t know about Whiff’s situation.
I’ll read the thread now…
(I hope that MissA is okay)

Whiff

Phoned DWP and got the ball rolling on MRN. Will know in 12 weeks. One of my craft group told me about the Brain Charity so phoned them they will help me. So at least I am being pro active. I am patient waited 34 years for my diagnosis so few more months isn't going to make any difference. ?

I remember now that I had read that before.

Oh Whiff, I’m so sorry to read what a difficult time you are having

The forms I had were in paper form. But before posting I photocopied every page at my local library.

I re read the decision letter and phone again yesterday morning to add things to the form for MRN.

What got me is they are holding several things against me. For 32 years I had jerking limbs and seizures because I moved and have a new neurologist he put me on a tablet to stop them. That's been marked against me. I am on these tablets for life. Plus because I have no input from the falls unit or physio. But I knew what adaptions I needed in my bungalow so paid and had them done. I go to a GP referral exercise class to build up my strength and stability.

I was born with this condition . Before April this year I didn't have a diagnosis. But thanks to my neurologist and having my blood genetically tested I have a name for it and it's rare. I will never get better only worse as I age as there is no cure because it's caused by a gene mutation. Both my parents where carriers for it otherwise I wouldn't have this .

For 34 years I was told without a my diagnosis and name you can't have the forms. Now I know what's wrong still having to fight. PIP haven't contacted my GP, neurologist or cardiologist for further information I checked.

But I will not give up fighting.

StarDreamer learning Welsh must be very hard I take my hat off to you.

Thanks everyone for listening.

Whiff wrote > StarDreamer learning Welsh must be very hard I take my hat off to you.

Thank you.

Actually, I am finding the Duolingo course, which is free, (there are pay options, but free is there), very good.

I am not a linguist, I struggled with French, but I did get "O" Level, at a grade 5, in the days when 1 was a top grade pass and 6 was the lowest grade of pass.

Though amazingly the grades are not on the certificate.

Here is a link if you wish to try. The Duolingo method of teaching is very good in my opinion.

LINK > www.duolingo.com/enroll/cy/en/Learn-Welsh

The first lesson one can do straight off but one needs to register to continue. By default one's profile is public, but one can easily change it to private.

I have an A5 notebook (I ordered it from Tesco and it arrived as part of my grocery order - Tesco grocery has various other non-food items that one can order online and have delivered, such as pens, photo frames, balls of string etc) and I make notes with a pen of the word in Welsh, its English meaning or meanings, and my way of expressing it in speech in "as if English" words and made up words.

Whiff wishing you all the very best.
I’m pretty sure that you will be successful. Stay strong.
Justice will prevail! ?