Is that even possible?? 0 points on new PIP claim

HerIndoors

Hi everyone,

this is my first post, so please bear with me.

I made a new PIP claim 30/07/18 for severe agoraphobia, panic attacks and all that comes with it. Made it clear in the claim that I can only travel within a 2 mile radius from my home and with a trusted person. A few weeks later I got invited for a f2f at an assessment centre 25 miles from my home. Needless to say I wouldn't have been able to go there. Rang them up and explained it again, person on the phone was initially unhelpful and said there's nothing he can do about it, the medical team has decided that I should be able to make the appointment seeing as I'm not completely housebound. After a lot of back and forth the PIP people got in contact with my counsellor who confirmed that I can't travel that far and I got my home visit on 01.11.18.

I was super nervous about the appointment, as I don't cope well with having strangers in my "safe place", so my partner had to take the day off work to be with me for the interview. The assessor was very lovely and understanding of my nerves. I feel everything important and relevant was covered.

On 15.11.18 I received a letter to say that they now all have the relevant information to make the decision and that they'll be in touch.

Fast forward to today, I gave them a ring to request a copy of the interview report to be send to me and at the same time I asked whether a decision has been made yet. Yes, decision was made 27.11.18 and she's very sorry, but it's 0 points in both categories. I'm beyond gobsmacked right now! How is that even possible??

I didn't think I would score much on daily living, the only thing I struggle with is socialising as I don't socialize due to emotional distress it causes me and need my partner around when there's people at our house and when anxiety is bad struggle with making food and budgeting decisions.

But what really upsets me is the 0 points on mobility! As previously said, I'm agoraphobic and only ever leave the house when necessary in our own car with my partner in the car with me on familiar routes within a 2 mile radius of my home and even then I'm anxious. I dont undertake any unfamiliar journeys at all. When being out I literally park outside where I need to be as I can't walk unaided due to the physical effects that the anxiety has on me, e.g.shaking, jelly legs, tunnel vision, shortness of breath, dizziness. I have to hold on to my partner or a buggy. Even then I don't walk further than 20 meters. There are days where I don't leave the house at all.

I don't see how I didn't score 0 points??
Could this have possibly been an error on the ladies computer screen?

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @HerIndoors, and a warm welcome to the community!

Thanks for sharing this with us, and I'm so sorry to hear of your PIP outcome. It sounds like the process was really challenging for you, so it must have been particularly frustrating to hear that. Have you received your decision letter confirming this yet? 

clivelate

I don't see how I didn't score 0 points??

Could this have possibly been an error on the ladies computer screen?

no chance, most of these "Atos" staff are always nice to your face,and then stab you in the back as soon as they can.

I scored zero points on my assessment, and when you read the report you will be shocked what has been written about you, i can g/tee it, youll find there is nothing wrong with you.

Im now appealing my Pip benefit, the only good thing is you have no points, so you have nothing to lose from that point of view, in some cases this is better than having a lower reward than you think you should have been given, as points can be taken away.

Take this all the way to court is the only thing you can do as long as you can stay strong during the time it takes for the claim to go to court, but first you need to do  a MR, but most of these wont change anything.

Please dont let me get you down, this forum has alot of support on here, from members etc,best of luck

axwy62

If you read other people's comments on PIP assessments you will see that this situation is not unusual. When you get the official letter with the result of your assessment you can ask for a Mandatory reconsideration, and when/if that fails, you can appeal. I believe the success rate for PIP appeals is around 70% which should indicate how reliable these assessements are.

It's nothing personal, it's just how the system works. The nurse who assessed me apparently didn't notice my wheelchair and even though I remained in it throughout the assessment she decided I could walk more than 50 metres unaided.

As preparation, read through the PIP descriptors carefully and decide where you should have scored points then compare that with the report from your assessment (phone and ask for a copy if you haven't already). If you need help wording your request for reconsideration, then ask.