A parent has shared how they were refused Personal Independence Payment despite struggling to leave home due to ongoing health issues, scoring zero points in their assessment
A parent has said they were turned down for benefits despite struggling to leave the house due to bladder problems. They explained how persistent health issues mean that they find it challenging to leave the house for ‘extended periods of time’, which has affected their independence.
They also stated they have ‘zero’ support so approached the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) with hopes of receiving Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ). Despite being “honest about their struggles”, they have now been left feeling ’embarrassed and sad’. The process has also made them feel ‘very invalidated and drained’, reports Birmingham Live.
In a Reddit post titled ‘Scored 0 all around and mentally unable to do anything about it’, they said: “I got my letter today after first applying in August, I expected them to apply a lower score than I would believe truly applicable but to score 0 for everything is just so disheartening.
“I’ve been out of work for three years now with no return in sight. I struggle every single day both mentally and physically – I have several diagnoses and I am on several medications that support these diagnoses. It was my GP who recommended I apply for PIP to begin with.
“The report is full of lies, claiming I have said I can do several things that I out right told the assessor I am unable to do for myself, it says I have support for things that I cannot do when I was very open with them about the fact that I have zero support.
“Perhaps the most difficult part to read was the line that simply states that I said I have no incontinence or issues with my bladder/bowel when I spoke with the assessor at length about how I have accidents daily which make it very hard to commit to leaving the house for extended periods of time anymore and has [affected] much of my independence.
“This is something I have kept secret from everybody I know from embarrassment (except my Dr, my medical records confirm this) and cried about having to admit after my appointment.”
They continued: “As silly as it may sound to read that just made me feel so disregarded. It seems to the assessor I spoke to that because I have children and there is no social care involvement I am perfectly capable.
“This whole process is so dehumanising, it has drained the life out of me and I simply do not have it in me to appeal or any of that. I just needed somewhere to vent this as I am feeling very low about this right now.”
Fellow Reddit users expressed sympathy, with one responding: “I’m sorry to hear this. I am expecting the same outcome for my similar issues (birth injury).
“I also won’t have it in me to appeal but I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone. It’s so hard to live a normal life with bladder and bowel issues. It astounds me when I see people get full PIP for things like anxiety but physically issues like this are overlooked.”
Another recommended that they contact Citizens Advice or other charities to help with submitting a mandatory reconsideration.
They said: “Ok breathe, this isn’t the end, but the beginning. You can do this. Two things to start with, firstly ring the PIP line and ask for a copy of the assessor’s report. This will have more detail on it as to why they have not awarded points.
“You can use what they have said to submit a mandatory reconsideration (avoid doing that over the phone, it’s best done in writing). While the letter says that you only have a month to appeal, it’s actually 13 months with a good reason, things like needing and seeking help to submit a mandatory reconsideration and it taking longer than a month due to your health challenges are good reasons.
“Make sure that you understand what PIP is scored on. They are very specific and anything outside of those questions is not taken into consideration.”
A third person suggested: “Take a week or two away from it, let yourself settle. Then come back with some fresh energy. Don’t give up.”
According to Gov.uk, you can request a mandatory reconsideration if:
The guidance states: “If you disagree with a decision about benefits or child maintenance you can ask for the decision to be looked at again – this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. It’s free to ask for mandatory reconsideration. Some decisions cannot be reconsidered.
“Others can go straight to an appeal. Your original decision letter will say if this applies to you. You usually need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the decision. You can ask for it after one month if you have a good reason, for example if you’ve been in hospital or had a bereavement.”