My paperwork from the DWP — Scope | Disability forum
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My paperwork from the DWP

Mikey44
Mikey44 Community member Posts: 74 Courageous
edited August 2018 in PIP, DLA, and AA
i have received my pack from the DWP and I am shocked by the amount of Blatent lies that we’re spun by the Medical Professional that did my Assessment who was a Nurse working for ATOS it’s disgusting and hurtful what lies that have been Spun 

Comments

  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,856 Disability Gamechanger
    Brilliant Mike.
  • Mikey44
    Mikey44 Community member Posts: 74 Courageous
    I’m heading to Tribunal as soon as I get a date,I’m just annoyed that people feel they have to lie to save our Poor government money that’s used to pay benefit to deserving people, sorry for the rant it’s just so disheartening ??
  • RoseRed
    RoseRed Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    edited August 2018
    I can totally sympathise. Everything is distorted, symptoms are ignored and not written about and anything positive (like blowing your own nose!) is construed as fully capable. They don't even contact your doctor or medical references. Seek out a benefits capable solicitor on a no-win no-fee deal and get them to register a mandatory reconsideration ASAP.

  • RoseRed
    RoseRed Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    I have just gone through 20 months of mandatory reconsideration process for PIP. I had tried to get help at my local CAB but cutbacks have reduced their workforce and increased their workload. It was difficult to get an appointment then even more difficult to get regular support. I found a local solicitor who specialises in benefits and he took on my case for a no-win no-fee deal. There isn't anything he doesn't know about the benefits system and his advice is invaluable. I was put in the work related activity group and my ESA was stopped. Thanks to him it has just been reinstated after 8 months. I have been to every interview, assessment and tribunal you can imagine. Sometimes, over that 20 months, I thought I would just lay down and die as it would be easier for me and my family who were supporting me financially during this time. I was so low at one point I almost took an overdose. I see now that is exactly what the process is meant to do: humiliate, demoralise, dehumanise and depress a human to such a degree that they just lose the will to live and expire slowly. Below you will find links to help you find legal advice regarding benefits appeals. Don't try doing it without help. You won't succeed. 
    1. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Working-With-Us/Challenging-Decisions
    2. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/getting-advice

  • Topkitten
    Topkitten Community member Posts: 1,285 Pioneering
    I don't think I have seen any figures for it but I do wonder how much are outright lies and how much is simple incompetence committed by assessors with little or no experience and little training all because the system now has such a bad aura that few, if any, really competent staff will have anything to do with it.

    As for fraud..... the figures I have found online plus those few cases I am aware of usually use back pain. Most people have, at some time, suffered from it so they have some idea how to make it sound bad. It's an invisible disability so easier to pretend that the person has it. There are also a large number of stories online and easy to find to give information to those not really suffering. The trouble is that this rebounds on real sufferers as they will start out as suspects and have to prove they really do have it whilst not being able to cope unlike those that are trying it on who can cope as normal and without the stress, distress and pressure. Maybe that's why I get a little fed up with people assuming that my spinal issues cause back pain (which they don't really) and become a little "over the top" trying to prove my point.

    TK
    "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" - from Wrong side of heaven by Five Finger Death Punch.
  • Shlbly
    Shlbly Community member Posts: 136 Pioneering
    Mikey44 said:
    i have received my pack from the DWP and I am shocked by the amount of Blatent lies that we’re spun by the Medical Professional that did my Assessment who was a Nurse working for ATOS it’s disgusting and hurtful what lies that have been Spun 
    It is happening everywhere I’m afraid, I have had it happen to me twice now, just had my third assessment on the 8/8 and dreading the report! I’m hoping that I had my local Councillor present might help, as lost my advocate due to not covering my area.
    Then yesterday my friend who is riddled with rheumatoid arthiritis for 35 years, plus other things has just had it happen to her, it’s disgusting what they get away with. 
    Complained to Atos with help from CAB re my second one and got nowhere.
    All I can suggest is get help to do a MR, I used the Disability Drop in centre who are brilliant.
    good luck, hopefully one day this will stop!!
  • wittygal1996
    wittygal1996 Posts: 13 Listener
    Common everywhere. My son’s first ever assessment report was full of inaccuracies. My son’s social worker accompanied me to the second one because I asked her to record the assessment and take notes on what she was seeing. If more people recorded the assessment or asked someone else to take notes this might help stop the issue. 
  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,856 Disability Gamechanger
    Common everywhere. My son’s first ever assessment report was full of inaccuracies. My son’s social worker accompanied me to the second one because I asked her to record the assessment and take notes on what she was seeing. If more people recorded the assessment or asked someone else to take notes this might help stop the issue. 
    Was a copy of that recording handed to the assessor? Alternatively you or anybody with you is not allowed to record a PIP assessment without prior permission and with the appropriate equipment.

    Notes can be taken but they cannot be used as evidence at an appeal not unless you get permission from the assessor.
  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,101 Pioneering
    Hi @Mikey44, how are you getting on?

    Have you decided to appeal? There's lots of useful information about appealing a DWP benefits decision if so. 
    Liam
  • Mikey44
    Mikey44 Community member Posts: 74 Courageous
    Hello Liam I’m good thank you and hope you are as well,I have appealed and am waiting for my Tribunal date to sort out this mess ??? I am getting help from Welfare Rights and the Lady has already written her Submissions for the Case day.You have to fight to be heard they want you to give up but please DONT fight all the way but get help CAB Welfare Rights get what you are owed and deserve 
    Mikey 
  • Liam_Alumni
    Liam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 1,101 Pioneering
    Hi @Mikey44,

    I'm glad you're well and that you've decided to appeal. Let us know how it goes and if we can help in any way!
    Liam

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