Got my PIP face to face assessment next week :(

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Well remember you can always appeal. You have a genuine disability with the backing of a professional. Don't let this slip you by if you feel you need the additional help. Far too many people don't get what they're entitled to, because they won't stand their ground. Don't let them win, take every penny you can from them, because they do the exact same in reverse.

I'm so sorry to hear about your assessment's results.
I've almost had a mirror-image experience with the ESA process: 0 points awarded. Went for a mandatory reconsideration a couple weeks ago with my advocate, who I'm delighted to say really bullied this second assessor! Still, the fact whole charities like this exist simply to help give people who are struggling a chance says it all really.
In any case, what Fraser_S has said is very true. It's also what my advocate told me - one has to describe their absolute worst days in the assessment. An appeal, though it means even more stress, still may come with a different result. Best wishes.

Who was your advocate?

They work for an advocacy called 'Pohwer' (pronounced phonetically as power); clearly up to their eyeballs in cases like mine, but I salute them. Only wish they and others like them weren't so badly needed. :/

I am going to ask for mandatory reconsideration and I'm writing a bit of a snotty letter about where they have overlooked things. Any tips?

Don't understand that system, but just keep appealing until they give in. There's nothing like an autistic on a mission. They'll regret messing with you

I just can't believe I got zero points for everything. Even taking medication reliably. Part of the reason my bf has dumped me is that very reason. Cos I don't. And I'm a mess

Don't take them seriously. Those companies are scams that exist to squeeze tax money out of the government. It's their job to fail you. Your job is to fight for yourself. That nurse sounds like a sensible person.

I'm feeling like poop, angry and wanting to take it out on somebody so they are going to get it! I am so mad that they say about me being educated to degree level so that's a reason they've turned me down. It's a joke

Best advice I know of is to fight it like the cold, calculated war they've turned it into. The irony is that for all their heartless attempts to cut the disability benefits bill at all costs (to the disabled), even to the extent that people have died of their disabilities (like heart disease) or topped themselves in despair shortly after being declared able to work, the benefits bill is still rising. Get as much info as you can about the rules and about your rights. The number of rejected claims that are overturned on appeal is huge. And don't top yourself.

I won't even though a times, I won't lie it has crossed my mind. I sent off my letter today. Part typed and part hand written. I was so mad and was on a roll so I didn't stop til i got it done or I'd never get it sent off. It's absolutely ridiculous how hard they make it difficult for people with autism and/or mental health conditions. If you can't do it because you're ****** then you don't get any money. If you do it even though you're ****** they say you still can't have any because you filled it in or you showed up. Although y report wasn't as bad as other people's have said on here, there are several omissions and some observations that are just totally incorrect. Or you have to wonder how on earth they came to their conclusion. Even reading the report it's like they agree with what I said in my application form and witnessed it for themselves and is consistent with reports from the psychiatrist and the nurse yet it's fine, I am worth zero points. I was thinking I'd probably earn enough to get the enhanced rate, all things considered but I'll be lucky if I get even a single point judging by them. Our system is a total joke

I got 0 points too. I totally underexggarated my issues and took no one with me and as far their concerned because they didn't see physically evidence of it- 'I can do this activity independently'. This is far from the truth, I have to support at work on a daily basis to reassure me , otherwise I have meltdowns which can result in physically violence. We are gathering evidence and applied for tribunal. Just waiting for date. We went to cab and they said I should get 32 points, Enhanced care and low mobility. Just for the communicating with others, I would get 8 points which is enough to get standard. Its just a waiting game. I do feel that had we filled it in properly, they may have given me some points but not enough to what I am effectively entitled to. I hate the whole process, I don't even want the money. I hate the thought of having money for effectively being incapable but I need the money and It means I am given other options, at least for the foreseeable. The whole process has made me really anxious and now struggling even more with daily life.

NAS and Disability Rights UK have some very good guidelines when going through the process of PIP including what to do when you get 0 points and help to explain how it is done.

Try not to write any letters when emotionally charged as you may regret this later. You want to state facts in response to their incorrect assumptions.

Be prepared and know how this system works.

Otherwise you are fighting in the dark.

It's kind of too late as I already sent the letter now. I did state where they were wrong and made assumptions though, and where I'd said important things that were not written in the report or misconstrued. I guess it is just another waiting game now, isn't it



Hi Lou, I understand. I don't particularly want the money either but I need it and it sounds like you do too. The autism nurse thought I'd get most points on interacting with others and communication even though I struggle in other areas, but the gave 0 for that too. Even though the report states that what I wrote in my form was consistent with reports from the nurse and psychiatrist and I explained the difficulties I have in social situations and socialising. What I said wasn't even mentioned in some areas. They picked and chose what to include which isn;t right. Sitting there, answering questions and talking about yourself and your struggles is hardly socialising. I accept it is communicating yes but just because you can answer their questions doesn't mean you can just go off and be a social butterfly. Every time I come here and write about it I get mad about their ignorance

The systems rigged LG , remember it's not personal. It appears to be standard practice to give 0 points in the hope that you will not appeal thus meeting Government targets.

Yes you are probably right. The only thing I think I should have put in my letter was to ask them to contact my GP and the doctor and therapist I have seen at work. I can't believe they don't even bother checking. What is the point in asking for their details??