Well done for putting this video out. I have a brain tumour with many associated conditions. I was too old to apply for PIP but was told that I should apply for attendance allowance instead. I have worked for 50 years from age 15 to 65 and only retired then because I was told that if I didn't have the tumour removed I had days left. I have not had apart from family allowance for my children one penny from the state. Never ill always worked payed my N.I. and PAYE for 50 years. Applied for attendance allowance after my operation, filled in there extensive form asking all those questions plus the details of all my doctors, surgeons, clinical departments, oncology, names, tel numbers, e-mails, hospitals, dates when and where. You try doing all this after a brain operation. Sent the form got declined, went to appeal (the same people or should I say firm with no medical skills) who tried to put me on a guilt trip then rejected me again. Asked to appeal again was told I needed to go to court. I agreed so they sent me as far away as they possibly could ( I live in Devon they sent me to Wales) hoping I would give up. I didn't and went to court. Because my illness is classed as terminal and will never ever get better only worse the judge threw their case out and said I would not have to go through reviews and I had the care allowance until I died. So 50 years never a claim for assistance, always worked, never ill to stop me working, and they tried to screw me out of the assistance when I needed it to live. Conservatives got what they deserved in the last election and good riddance to them.
Reminds me of when I broke my ankle, couldn't go to work and had to see the "Health check nurse" in the Job Centre for an assesment. I am called into the office, on crutches and my lower leg is in plaster. Question, how far can you walk. I pointed to my plaster cast and said, "The hospital class me as without legs", "What do you think? No, I cannot walk without crutches". I got many more quick fired questions, "Can you walk around in your house?. Many many more questions regarding mobility without walking aids. I, at that point, fell out with the stupidity of the nurse and said, "Catagorically; without crutches, NO, I cannot levitate either! Stop reading your script, look at my plaster cast and Hospital record from only a week ago recording three broken bones and tendon damage". I got my award.
I had to sign on to ESA with epilepsy when I was younger. I sat an assessment, and was kicked off ESA. So then I put in a claim for JSA, jobby wanted me to apply to be a bus driver. I told them I cannot hold a license because epilepsy, they told me I should be on ESA. I worked out what it was all about at that point, so when I sat my next assessment, I answered every question with "not when I am having a seizure".
Its a hard one for epilepsy as its a fluctuating condition. My sister in law needs watching when shes eating because she was a seizure eating egg and choked. Same with showers. She broke the glass shower door during a seizure. Its so unfair how epilepsy is treated
I'm with you all on the Epilepsy! Just had daily living stopped as apparently there is no evidence of Epilepsy. Got 4 points for needing help preparing a meal. Nothing for bathing/showering , nothing for eating/drinking. Near the end of the decision it said they agree I need supervision when bathing/showering for poorly controlled seizures and loss of consciousness. Hang on, I thought there was no evidence of Epilepsy. Why no points then? My mobility stops in December yet they agree that I can't make or plan a journey. Got 12 points. Is my Epilepsy going to be cured by December then? I wish! Waited 30 years for a diagnosis for these numbskulls to play about with the decision. It was full of inconsistencies. I have asked for a mandatory reconsideration and I've thrown all the evidence I can at them. Still don't bank on winning! Also going to make a formal complaint. Sorry for the rant.
Hiya I have a heart problem where y heart dose not work properly, iam on tablets more tablets, I see the nurse at the hospital, I have depression leg and back problems, I sleep down stairs I fine it better because mange ING the stares night mare, I do work because, I don't want be lazzy but fine very hard I allso have wear pads because I have ladder problems whish fine hard, never in my life would I ever whish wat I live from day tow day anyone it's very hard fro me every day but I put my self out there, because don't want be called lazzy, no matter what happens tow me all of this, I well hold my head up hiye tell my story like so many people do, and fight fro some help thank you being here ys bellagibson. X
Been through this too many times. The assessment is there to not pay you out. I just kept telling them I don't cook. "can u make a sandwich" I don't cook. And I kept answering the same way. In the end I said "What part of I don't cook meals don't you understand" Been to 2 tribunals. Got punished for appealing, they put me on appeal rate and cut my money by 25%. Just for appealing. Also don't smile, do not make too much eye contact. Do not shake hands. They are not your mate or relative. You don't know them. Its a box ticking excersise. My last assessment was over the phone. That alone shows it's all about what you put on the form, any different answers from what's on the form you filled out 2 years ago and they think you are a liar. When filling your firm, copy it. If you have to memorise those answers. They will try to catch you out. The person I front of you gets a bonus for every claim they can deny.
@@paulam40 I had a pip phone assessment (due to chronic stomach condition), apparently I failed because assessor said I was coherent on the phone so I got zero points!
That’s not correct. So if you was having a better day and for example you said you couldn’t walk more than 100m and they saw you then what? Be honest and give an average or percentage. Tell them if you have pain doing so etc or if it leaves you wiped out etc. Write a diary and work it out. You’d be surprised just what you go through on a daily basis if you do this too as our illness becomes our norm.
@@LemonPuf Citizens Advice told me to > "make sure you fill in how you are on your worst days" Not looking for a disagreement just passing on what I was advised, best wishes. Unfortunately all our days are now bad ones, so its a moot point for us now.
Hi Charlie, thanks you so so much fir your fantastic videos. I followed all your advice and guidance regarding PIP claims. Well I'm happy to share with you that today I've just been told that I've been awarded full PIP award. I did it all by myself, however I've watched every video that you have made. The world is a much better place with people like you helping others.
I just told the truth I got letters from hospital consultants my GP and my mental health workers who wrote my form for me I received pip both components at a advanced rate but I would rather have no money and my physical health and mental health back I didn't try to decide the DWP but I can understand how a face to face assessment tries to tie you in mental knots trying to confuse you and doing their best to not give you pip I'm not a scrounger I worked for 40 odd years I've paid lots of tax and NI those who are ill I wish you happiness and good health and joy and peace and love p.s always get as much info about yourself and illness from drs etc and get a person maybe a mental health worker or social worker or pip help volunteer etc also thankyou so so much for helping people who are ill receive pip you are a star ⭐✨🌟❤ TC everyone big hugs all around from Marcus 👍🏻♥️🙂
Personally I find the Interviews embarrassing and humiliating, which in turn makes me more stressful, and really depressed It makes me feel like a fraud and a criminal, Like most people initially, I thought PIP was there to help support those struggling to do normal everyday things,. What the procedure has done is exactly the opposite, I'm now more stressed, depressed and suicidal especially when being interrogate at the Interview The first interview I ever had for DLA, as it was then, was so humiliating that I actually left halfway through, To this day my Daughter helps me fill out the forms as I feel that by applying I'm doing something wrong I know the need to curb spending is necessary, but why offer a benefit if you actively take steps to make it impossible to get.
I understand that feeling of embarrassment and humiliation, they make you feel like I was being interrogated for a crime, or something as bad. When I've never been in trouble with any law or authority before.
My first claim I dropped along similar lines. I did decide initially to attend the humiliation until the appointment arrived at a place with no parking and an interview room on the 3rd floor and no lift for someone with severe COPD who struggles even walking 20mtr on the flat. Basically it was if you can get to the appointment you dont need PIP and if you dont attend you fail. God only knows how people with more difficult walking/standing conditions got on at that place.
@royboy6890 Even criminals are presumed innocent until proven guilty PIP presumes you're guilty and lying and asses you on that basis. The fact you are telling the truth doesn't even enter into it The fact that you provide official medical evidence and they pay no attention to it shows they are geared to disallowing PIP purely on monetary baises I don't do stairs and use a wheelchair. Even after informing them I can't do stairs, they booked me into an interview with stairs. I'm not sure if this is just a coincidence, but on 2 different occasions, the buildings' fire alarm had gone off, and we had to evacuate the building. I'm in my 60's and worked hard all my life, and I now feel like a burden, and a fraud and wshing it would all end. Living like this isn't living but just existing for existence sake and is rather pointless to be honest
You are saying what is true. I remember when I was really ill in the 90s with the side effects of a therapy I was getting, they tried at every single question to make me say that on "good days" I could do things, at the time they could have so easily have clawed back heaps of points because I was so fatigued and vulnerable that, had I not had a good friend and clinical psychologist with me, I would have probably agreed just to get the interview over with as it was such a difficult and stressful process. It's really unfair and we all know why they have to question people but, it seems to me, those who really need help are the ones more likely to go along with the interviewer, because of embarrassment and because they don't have the energy or the will to stand their ground. Therefore watching videos like this are important and, if possible taking someone with you to ensure you don't fold under pressure.
I'm having to do a mandatory reconsideration notice because they gave me 6 points in daily living. Like, near 70% of the year I'm off my feet because of knees and arthritis in feet. I have kidney disease and sleep over 14 hours per day. I often don't get out of bed because I'm just too tired and want to sleep all the time. Apparently I'm healthy though... lol. They did try the ol' "could you sit on a stool to prepare meals" and I said yes stupidly... when in reality I COULD sit on a stool, except I'd have to actually wake up, not go back to sleep, and move to the chair as well as standing and waiting for stuff to cook, or if I sit down to wait, that's extra travelling to and from the kitchen. They chose to cherry pick info and ignored my PIP form which clearly stated my wife prepares meals because my mobility issues are reactive and fatigue. Microwave meals aren't suitable due to the disease's dietary restrictions... yeah, definitely healthy mate. Ignore the fact my kidney is like... 17% function left lol, and I only have that one kidney too. Mandatory reconsideration time, don't let them BS you.
@yehldyehld I hope the MR goes in your favor. Appeal if not . People don't understand what kidney disease is unless they worked or have had it. Every part of the body is affected. Inform them of no energy, appetite, nausia anemia , itch all over .. Being cold. List all drugs taking also, hospital may help with form filling. Good luck to you.
You are right about the guilt, and fear that others won't either believe us or won't understand how incapacitated we really are. You say you have a migraine and someone will say they get headaches too! Or you say you're absolutely exhausted and they say "Yeah i could do with a nap." So you either share how you feel and they misunderstand or you keep it to yourself and feel isolated. By the time you get an assessment you hardly know what to say anymore! No wonder we're so easily crushed at these interviews. So thank you very much for taking the time to help. I don't go to the interviews because travelling has to be so minimal for me. I ask them to visit me instead and they sit in the bedroom with me while i stay in bed. Its all humiliating but I appreciate the help we get so it has to be done.
As i was going out of the room where i had my face to face assessment, even though the assessor had already told me it was finished and i could go... she suddenly said 'oh, i just want to ask you what you would do if you couldn't find a toilet for the disabled while you are out?' and i just said well i have to research where i'm going to make sure there are disabled facilities and her face dropped as i could see she was trying to trap me into saying i would just have to use an ordinary toilet.
I’m doing everything I possibly can to help my health condition. That includes not eating pre prepared, highly processed microwave food from plastic containers so no, I can’t use a sodding microwave!
My last PIP i was asked if i could cook a meal if hypothetically i was in the kitchen (even if i couldn't get to the kitchen). I couldn't get to the kitchen and couldn't even worth a microwave - 99% bedridden. Still got marked that i could cook a meal in the m/w. Fortunately i got high rate regardless. I did explain why I couldn't do the rest of the preparing a meal and had an advocate complete my application.
Yeah I didn't like those questions, the "what if" questions because to me they are irrelivant when the person literally cannot get to teh kitchen or in and out of a bath etc.
@@a-bootiful-mind6648Say, It is out of the question, simply not a happening thing. End of. They tried these teicks on my Mum, bless her she simply can not stand unaided that long, to put stuff in / out of the microwave. I wonder if they ever consider "What if, said person, wasn't chronically ill, & could live lile they did before they were ill, then guess what - we wouldn't need to be appmying for PIP - like anyone wants to be humiliated and degraded ... ontop of trying to the make the best of the cards they are currently dealth with & all that comes with it. Ffs these so called 'assessors' need to be living with a chronic illness themselves to 'get' how $h!% life is, imho.
I wish I'd come across you the first or second time applying. They did the exact same thing to me and I behaved exactly as you said. And you're exactly right when you say about thinking "well maybe I can do, whatever" because I did. I must say that I have spoken to a couple of people that have really understood. This time I was called by a lady who asked me a few questions hoping that it would save me a assessment and the time before I did a mandatory reconsideration and again a lady phoned me, asked a few questions and she just got it. She said you just want to be believed. I was dumbfounded! It is demeaning
I managed to land up with a HUMAN at Hogwarts. Using a microwave is NOT “preparing and cooking a meal”. Where’s the PREPARING element? I need help with chopping. I can’t do it. I was actually asked “if your boyfriend can’t come over to chop stuff for you, what do you do?” I replied that I “buy veg ready prepared”. “So you STILL NEED HELP; ready chopped veg means someone else has been needed to prepare the veg for you” This was an eye-opener!! It’s SO much more than “can you heat a meal in the microwave”. I heat home-cooked meals in the microwave. All the time. That’s NOT counted as “PREPARING” a meal. Please, everyone, focus on the PREPARING bit! Force the assessor to focus on the prep you cannot do.
I worried myself silly before my assessment, i practised each question over and over again, not because i was going to lie, but i was warned that they would try to catch me out, but when i came out i found the truth was all i needed, but stay calm and take your time, don't let them bully you.
Add another one to that win list!!, i got my text message this morning saying i have been awarded, thankyou for all your help and advice along the way, i know my condition is not fixed by this but the help is very much appreciated ❤
Hi Charlie, thanks for your video. I’ve got my assessment tomorrow and I’ve got no help. I find it hard to remember things and I’m not saving kitchens. video was really good and I look forward to more videos. Keep up the good work you take care.
Thank you so much for your help and advise , I am unable to work and struggle to cook daily I tend to chuck things into a slow cooker early morning as I’m good for nothing after lunchtime . I definitely said I can cook I made myself sound better than I feel daily . Like you said being chronically ill is so awful we don’t admit it to ourselves sometimes how much we struggle day in day out . Thank goodness I found your channel Thankyou ♡
I have leukemia. Cant cure it, can only manage it. Im exhausted all the the time. Was told by a benefit advisor I was wasn't sick enough for any benefit. I work. When im not working im in bed. I order take away. I live to work, to order food. You video gas reassured me that maybe I shouldn't be suffering.
Thanks for this, Charlie. Ive been chronivslly.ill for 28 yrs now, & my hubby did everything for me, until he died, suddnly, of heart failure, 7 years ago. Since then, ive lived on crumpets & crisps! Lol I have to laugh at this, or Id just cry, because its actually almost true and, being honest with myself, as youve said we must be, & I learned to do so, years ago, in order to face up to how ill I truly am, is the only way ive got through these years without my darling hubby! I get NO help from Social services, my family lives hundreds of miled awsy, and ive been ill for so long, our social circle disappeared when my hubby died, so ive learned to survive, by doing what I can manage for myself, on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. I DO live on cereals, crumpets/toast (I have a chair placed right besides the kitchen counter, with my toaster, so I can use it while sat down), or even the occassional cupa-soup, when im just about well enough to handle a 1/4 -filled kettle! But theres plenty of times when i have to rely on just eating a packet of crisps or, more often than not, a biscuit or 2, from a packet i keep by the bed, so i have something in my stomach, when I cant raise my head from the pillow, but know I need to eat, to take my pain meds, plus all the othet meds im on. Thank heavens for dossette boxes! I only buy food that takes very little time to just grab & eat, & doesnt involve an open flame - or a microwave! I only have a hot drink when my cleaner comes, once a week, to go through the house, & change my bedsheets for me, bless her. I have to use crutches to get about indoors, so cant carry anything that might spill, so my water bottle is my constant source of drink. But, then, water is much bettet for me anywsy! My cleaner will often.make me a few sandwiches, & wrap them.up individually, & puts them in the fridge, so I have sometjing to eat a bit more nourish8ng for me, for a dsy or 2, which is a blesding! The only time I get a 'proper' meal, is when my daughter visits - she lives far from me, & works full time, so only has a couple of weekends a month to travel to see me.😊 I forbade her to give up her life to look after me btw! She did stay here,bin her converted van, the 1st year of Covid, as her job wasnt furlowed, so it wad cheapet to move mear me, but I refused to let her give up her life for me ince tjingsbopened up again, as she deserves so much better, than being my Carer! I couldnt have lived with myself, knowing she was giving up her life for me! You see, even tjough my life is crap, ive had 28 yrs to adjust to that! She stays for a couple of days, & helps me to shower & wash my hair, & she cooks me small meals - I eat very little, as my stomach just isnt used to having a true meal any more! I suspect you know as many tips or tricks, thst those of us suffering chronic illnesd develop, simply to survive, such as using baby wipes, to feel cleaner, when ypu havent got the energy to get out of bed, to wash yourself? Its these little things that have kept me going! Thank heavens for bsby wipes, i say! . I get home delivery for my shopping, once a fortnight - I order the same tjings every time, which makes it all so much easier - & the delivery drivers always bring my food into the kitchen, & even help me by putting it away for me, blesd them. But thats easy, really, as I only buy food that needs no prep, so its easy to grab, & go back to bed with! I guesd this is my very long windrd wsy of saying, from one survivor to another, that your advice is straight to the point, & I really hope that people follow it! Im one of those who wasnt goung to be moved over to UC until 2028 - now, of course, thats all changing and, although ive had to go through the process of my lifetime awsrd of DLA, being changed to 10 yrs of PIP, then having to claim ESA for myself, after my hubby died, in 2018, im still dreading the move to UC, any day now, as I'll be one of those made worse off for the change, and as every penny of my PIP gets paid out to those who maintain my home, my garden, & myself, losing that extra money from my ESA, is going to mean even more things ill hsve to stop buying! As I only have my food bill to work with, after all the other stuff, such as utilities, & heating oil, etc., thats going to be fun! :/
I am in that position too .Annoyed that the DWP have cut disability benefits covertly by forcing people off ESA with the severe disabilty component .Its bullshit .
Thank you for this iv lost so many points because they make you feel so bad, even sitting in a tribunal they said nothing was wrong with my heart but i was born with CHD and was waiting on open heart surgery to get a pulmonary valve replacement, they make you feel terrible, now iv got my review form anc im dredging it xx
the thing that gets me is they ask you if you can read a map or are able to read road signs. Of course if you answer no, you get the points to get a mobility car....it beggars belief! someone i know also gets pip and a mobility car because he has learning difficulties....but he didn't have those difficulties when he sat his driving test!
Thank you. I found this very helpful as I suffer from Chronic Fatigue, Have a Chronic Illness and is in Pain all the time, and I feel so depressed when I have to do the PIP so very stressful, and I have found your video very helpful thank you again.
@@yehldyehldThere are loads. The PIP form doesn't say the meal has to be healthy but even then, there's loads of food that can be done in a microwave. There us guidance on what the questions really mean and how to interpret them.
We are not alone -we can build a life with grit and determination one "step" at a time :) Hard to be focusing on what it is you can't do but once the hurdle is crossed then we aim high however that translates for each of us!
Thanks for this advice its been a long road for me as a carer supporting my wife. Thankfully weve only had one face to face assessment before the award. Were now on our second award review however this was submitted almost a year ago. There is a massive backlog.
I was recently awarded the higher rate on both parts which was a bit of a shock because I didn't have any backing from a GP and haven't engaged with them since my diagnosis thirty years ago and I'm not on any medication but I still got it and one thing that I really believe helped me anD made all the difference was me recording it. Do not allow them to take conitrol and claim that you don't need to record it because they will, do it yourself and as soon as the call begins tell them it is being recorded because by the way my assessor reacted when I said I was recording it I believe they were already planning on fitting me up but they are not so quick to do that when they know there will be a record of the call on your end. Good luck.
@@Jd-mg4yu No they didn't say that, she just seemed really miffed that I was recording it which really made me feel she was planning on shafting me which was how I failed years ago by the assessor completely fabricating the assessment. If anyone tells you you cannot record it you can, you just have to let them know at the start of the call that it is being done.
Ok thanks. As if it isn't hard enough dealing with ill health, you then have to feel like you are on trial going through the assessment as well. Glad it went well for you though considering no GP backing etc as I would of thought they would want lots of back up medical stuff. Can I ask if pip can be applied indefinitely like with DLA or is it set time limit now?
@@Jd-mg4yu I think you have to have regular phone calls or resaassments but I'm not 100% on that. And yeah it just goes to show you even with no medical backing apart from my diagnoses on record you can still get it.
Well that's not gonna help me much as I'm terrible on the phone and forget what I'm saying from one minute to the next haha. Also my medical papers are years old as they say there's nothing more can be done so I'm just gonna have to hope for the best. Thanks.
It's the so called hypothetical questions which irritate me. I was asked, " Hypothetically if you were on a bus and the bus broke down what would you do if nobody was with you." I informed her that it wouldn't happen as I have to have someone with me to get on and off a bus, that is if I can make it to the bus stop in the first place. She pushed further and said, "It's hypothetical, so what would you do?" I then gave her an example of a time when I tried to go somewhere I was unfamiliar with on my own and how I got panicked and very scared because I didn't know where I was and had to call my daughter to come find me to take me home. I think she could see how agitated I was becoming just thinking about it and she then moved on to the next question on her list.
This lady is telling the truth this is what it's like been there turned down flat answer d exactly the same questions so where is the money going because it's there and they are not passing it on
I did the pip training and I sacked the job as it seemed awful the way people were treated. Best thing I ever did. I think it's a job for the heartless in my opinion.
My mum once had a disability advisor with the DWP who described it to her as a soul destroying job. And I met a bloke a while ago who worked as a work coach and he told me that the only thing that motivates him to get out of the door and go to work every day is the thought that if he gave in and left then he might be replaced by somebody who doesn't care about vulnerable people like he does. There are good people working for the DWP. There are also some absolutely incredible Jeremy Hunts. It's purely luck of the draw who you get.
Was that working for the DWP or one of the many contracted private companies that work for DWP. You also mentioned "PIP training", I assume with that is you have little to none medical training which should be the most important part of being an assessor.
I live on two too three hours sleep a nite like you I am in constant pain and constantly fatigued,I have multiple health conditions and for me I will be glad when my life is over ,no more pain or sleepless nites
Those horrible lying and deceiving cretins on the other side of the phone pulled this with my severely disabled mother, had one of her payments cancelled and almost put her in the hospital with stress. I would love to know who was on the other side of the phone that day because they not only ignored what my mother said but also decided to completely fabricate a bunch of points they didnt even ask her in the first place. Those people who carry out the interviews deserve nothing but sadness in life.
The majority of these places are NOT the PIP offices but contracted out call centres with call handlers who have zero medical training that can change daily and a pre written format specifically designed to fail claimants. I had one call handler ask me to explain what the SEVERE COPD meant on the claim form and followed up with how could that effect my daily living if its only a breathing difficulty.
@@royboy6890 yeah, looks like people have finally started getting fed up with it all, the government, 2 tier policing, rising crime rates. Government might actually do something when they realise nationwide anarchy is NOT profitable.
I had a telephone assessment for my pip for my ms and I had to admit to a total stranger, a man, that I have to wear adult nappies coz my bladder is not functioning properly!!! It was horrific! The only saving grace was my nurses where I have my treatment, they said “don’t worry about it, he doesn’t know u and he’ll NEVER meet u..” thanks guys! Still feels awful!! Damn them all! 🤬
They are truly humiliating. I hate to admit things I cant do. Plus blew up the microwave last time I tried and had to have the wall repainted. Im not allowed anymore. Plus with my condition now no fat or salt so no micro meals. Air fryer only. I cant carry out the hot thing. I tried once and smashed it on the floor (burnt my hand too). Had to order a new one but ive tried!!! Now im banned from the kitchen can only go to open the fridge. If nobody cooked I wouldnt eat! I dont care about eating, eating disorder, im so underweight and being sent to the hozzie for that. Yet on the phone they keep on going about cutting a tomato till you give in. Like Id even want to, if nobodies here im ok with not eating hoping to lose weight. They dont take that into consideration but I collapse from not eating. They still talk you into cutting a tomato. FFS Cant we all sue them?? I dont sleep rolling around my bed sweating every night about the next time.
When you spoke about a faker wont care but those of us that are ill may deal with the guilt, doubting yourself when DWP question you, playing down your struggles and not wanting to be a burden to our loved ones...that really hit home hard. Thats exactly how i feel. I should have been claiming pip for the last two years but i just couldn't do the paperwork. Partly because my condition makes any paperwork very difficult but also because of the guilt and shame. I don't want their money, i want to get better! i didnt need the money so i chose to not to apply as stress can cause some of my symptoms to get worse so i chose my health over the financial help. Now im getting worse anyway which is costing so much more that i have no choice but to apply. Thank you very much, your videos are really helpful ❤
Thankyou for this excellent advice - being tired is why assessments are a horror - too tired to fill out firm oreven get to GP to get proof of illness. Months or years waits for nhs soecialists so cannot get proof of illness in time to show to PIP assessors etc
I was lucky, the assessor I had didn't go on about it, I can use a microwave but I can't stand long enough to prepare a meal. And you do get points for only being able to use a microwave.
Thanks Charlie for doing this im in the middle of filling out my mandatory claim and was up all nights too. I got tricked just like this on that question.
If in your assessment and it’s been agreed that it the session can be recorded, would the assessor using the same line of questioning. Could that be classed as hectoring and leading the applicant?
I live in Scotland and PIP has been taken over by the Scottish government, and its a lot more user friendly now. They don't try to trip you up where ever they can and they treat you a lot more humanely then the PIP process does. I'm worried now because people are rightly got fed up with the SNP, even after all the good things they have done, and voted them out in favour of the Labour party. I worry that they will get rid of the new Scottish PIP benefit and bring back the old one again.
It's constant when you have the assessments. Constant trickery, mine went on 3 1/2 hours, I was about to literally hang up, & told them I was knackered, they would have to finish it another time. They trick you about everything, consent, even that they are DWP when they aren't they are contracted out, about medical records, which they make out they have but then said they didn't, so who knows? I have no idea on the outsome yet. The way things are going I think it will all get cut & anyone rx pip will get targetted in some way imho.
Theres a reason why CA were moved from stand alone buildings into job centres and civic buildings and its not for the benefit of people requiring financial assistance. They are often staffed by ex DWP staff or council staff acting as volunteers.
@@royboy6890 they haven’t been moved in my town 🤔 I don’t care who works there, they’ve always been helpful to many people I know & myself. Its good of them to give their time & energy to help people especially as its a free service 😊👍
I have a debilitating condition but not sure I agree with this training. Don’t get me wrong it helps the genuine claimants, but it also shows Thames that have nothing wrong with them.
Hi Charlie I have followed your advice and my partner won pip for his dyslexia a massive thank you don't change and keep up your work 👍 question is though do you cover areas of allergies for children under 16 my child has multiple severe allergies and food is so expensive for her I did apply once but failed wonder if it's the same concept for applying for children
I'd tell them that your mental health issue causes so much fatigue that you can't get out of bed on x number of days, and even if you weren't exhausted, you'd still have motivational issues because you're mentally unwell. Perhaps also remind them that they have to treat you fairly and downplaying mental health could be a breach of the equality act. Also check out Charlie's mandatory reconsideration video or the original PIP application videos, they go through examples of different conditions. Mental health is covered in the mandatory reconsideration vid, but I'm sure she has some mental health based videos too.
Your mental health is the reason, or diagnosed mental health conditions? The symptoms are why you cannot do things? For example I might say I make no motivation to eat there fore I don’t cook, side effects of your condition fill your mind and life preventing you from living a basic ‘able’ life? X
Make notes of how you feel as they happen as well as the difficulties you experience in life. Take pictures of any forms you fill in so you know what youve written. Engage in as many mental health support organisations, regularly phone the MH team, visit the walk in centre if self harming etc, all so there’s records of what your experiencing. Show your willing to work, even voluntary, they love that!
The problem with the mental health issue is the inclusion of many with perceived minor mental health affecting the genuine debilitating sufferers. I know many who get PIP under the mental health issue which has virtually zero effect on their daily living yet serious sufferers usually with underlying conditions get refused solely on the physical side. My physical disabilities makes me wary of going out alone or preparing a meal which is in itself a mental issue yet the questioning is always would I be able to do it physically if I had to.
I've had my pip assessment and the main thing I can say about you is they ask you how long it takes you to do things. I have a friend who works in a civil service and she told me the PIP assessment is based on a second world war soldiers injuries, so no wonder it is difficult to pass. I would say that it is all about how long it takes you to do things
I get PIP and live alone, so I have no choice but to prepare my meal regardless of how much pain I'm in. I can't stand for long, just enough to make a hot drink, then I have to negotiate going from the kitchen to the living room, by which time I'm in severe pain.
My husband has pip but he has deteriorated and has dementia and Alzhimers,but i havnt told them he is worse in case they stop his money.I need to go to the citizens advice to help me.
Really appreciate the content. I do have a question. Until recently i was a chef, i've working to a very high, 2 michelin star standard with the likes of Tom Kerridge & Phil Howard. But after 10 year of PPMS i have had to limp away from my 30 year career. Can i cook a simple meal? YES! Unquestionable. But the loss of ability & livelihood is crippling, not to mention the pain & fatigue, depression & anxiety. Am i any less worthy of support for stubbornly refusing to hang up my apron especially when nutrition is a vital part of my healing and hopefully can one day provide a service to others and an income for myself. Any advice would be very welcome as i know i'm going to struggle with this.
Anyone ever seen 1 point given for a category? Cos i got 1 point leaving me on 11 points, instead of 2 points taking me to 12.....ive never seen an odd number on any category before....
My son's aspergers is preventing him from living independently as his mind governs his actions not his hands. He uses a microwave daily only to heat food that I have prepared.
I find your videos helpful this question I don't cook tried collapsed trying caused myself injury I'm a 2x assault victim 1st was attempted manslaughter the second was DWP medical team who put me in hospital which led to a lower spinal transplant I find it difficult to get about have had tons of hate 3 cars distroyed as the haters think I shouldn't drive I also due to the assaults suffer from ptsd which has been diagnosed in the past 5yrs but they believe it's due to the 38 medicals from the DWP which dose not allow me to forget the 1st assault yet I've got a form to fill out again for pip but not due till Feb next year???
I was getting pip one day and then I had to go and see them the next thing I know is that they said nothing had changed but they stopped my pip I had to keep on at them to get my pip back they are horrible people, Thankfully I got my pip back.
What gets me is they put in their report don’t seem to be in much pain how the hell can they tell this over the sodding phone they are out to catch you out and not pay out
Say you don't have a microwave and the assassin could say if the meal went cold what would you do just reply eat it cold. A friend only has takeaways and uses Deliveroo to get them delivered. He sometimes puts them to one side ant eats them hours later. He had a review last year and they called him to an assessment and he told the assassin this he still gets enhanced PIP rates.
i believe they've done this to my partner. they have upheld their stuff for the MRC and now to make it all worse by the fact the NHS has recently lost my partners medical records so we can't even get it to tribunal because we can't get the records we need.
I live alone, I have no choice but to cook for myself. I use a perch stool, to cook a simple meal for 4 that should take 40 minutes takes me all day. I have get stuff out the fridge, rest. Prep the food, rest. Cook the food. Rest then eat one of the meals by reheating it in the microwave. And you guessed it rest. The other three go in the fridge to be microwaved over the next 3 days. I can’t afford meals on wheels as they are too expensive, I don’t have family so I have no choice in the matter. I can no keep on top of my dishes even though I have a countertop dishwasher because I cannot stand/perch long enough safely enough to do it. My cleaner only comes once a week and tries to put it on for me, but the problem then is it’s too full to safely offload, my gardener and cleaner take all my dla that is left after my wheelchair deduction. The people doing the assessments by and large do not know what it is to live with chronic pain, and disability due to complex medical issues.
I've got severe agoraphobia and panic attacks I've applied for pip I've just been sent a form on how it affects my everyday life.How do I approach it I'm thinking of giving up😢
Well done for putting this video out. I have a brain tumour with many associated conditions. I was too old to apply for PIP but was told that I should apply for attendance allowance instead. I have worked for 50 years from age 15 to 65 and only retired then because I was told that if I didn't have the tumour removed I had days left. I have not had apart from family allowance for my children one penny from the state. Never ill always worked payed my N.I. and PAYE for 50 years. Applied for attendance allowance after my operation, filled in there extensive form asking all those questions plus the details of all my doctors, surgeons, clinical departments, oncology, names, tel numbers, e-mails, hospitals, dates when and where. You try doing all this after a brain operation. Sent the form got declined, went to appeal (the same people or should I say firm with no medical skills) who tried to put me on a guilt trip then rejected me again. Asked to appeal again was told I needed to go to court. I agreed so they sent me as far away as they possibly could ( I live in Devon they sent me to Wales) hoping I would give up. I didn't and went to court. Because my illness is classed as terminal and will never ever get better only worse the judge threw their case out and said I would not have to go through reviews and I had the care allowance until I died. So 50 years never a claim for assistance, always worked, never ill to stop me working, and they tried to screw me out of the assistance when I needed it to live. Conservatives got what they deserved in the last election and good riddance to them.
Reminds me of when I broke my ankle, couldn't go to work and had to see the "Health check nurse" in the Job Centre for an assesment.
I am called into the office, on crutches and my lower leg is in plaster.
Question, how far can you walk. I pointed to my plaster cast and said, "The hospital class me as without legs", "What do you think? No, I cannot walk without crutches".
I got many more quick fired questions, "Can you walk around in your house?. Many many more questions regarding mobility without walking aids. I, at that point, fell out with the stupidity of the nurse and said, "Catagorically; without crutches, NO, I cannot levitate either! Stop reading your script, look at my plaster cast and Hospital record from only a week ago recording three broken bones and tendon damage".
I got my award.
Good on you.
I had to sign on to ESA with epilepsy when I was younger. I sat an assessment, and was kicked off ESA. So then I put in a claim for JSA, jobby wanted me to apply to be a bus driver. I told them I cannot hold a license because epilepsy, they told me I should be on ESA.
I worked out what it was all about at that point, so when I sat my next assessment, I answered every question with "not when I am having a seizure".
Its a hard one for epilepsy as its a fluctuating condition. My sister in law needs watching when shes eating because she was a seizure eating egg and choked.
Same with showers. She broke the glass shower door during a seizure.
Its so unfair how epilepsy is treated
I'm with you all on the Epilepsy! Just had daily living stopped as apparently there is no evidence of Epilepsy. Got 4 points for needing help preparing a meal. Nothing for bathing/showering , nothing for eating/drinking. Near the end of the decision it said they agree I need supervision when bathing/showering for poorly controlled seizures and loss of consciousness. Hang on, I thought there was no evidence of Epilepsy. Why no points then? My mobility stops in December yet they agree that I can't make or plan a journey. Got 12 points. Is my Epilepsy going to be cured by December then? I wish! Waited 30 years for a diagnosis for these numbskulls to play about with the decision. It was full of inconsistencies. I have asked for a mandatory reconsideration and I've thrown all the evidence I can at them. Still don't bank on winning!
Also going to make a formal complaint. Sorry for the rant.
Hiya I have a heart problem where y heart dose not work properly, iam on tablets more tablets, I see the nurse at the hospital, I have depression leg and back problems, I sleep down stairs I fine it better because mange ING the stares night mare, I do work because, I don't want be lazzy but fine very hard I allso have wear pads because I have ladder problems whish fine hard, never in my life would I ever whish wat I live from day tow day anyone it's very hard fro me every day but I put my self out there, because don't want be called lazzy, no matter what happens tow me all of this, I well hold my head up hiye tell my story like so many people do, and fight fro some help thank you being here ys bellagibson. X
Been through this too many times.
The assessment is there to not pay you out.
I just kept telling them I don't cook.
"can u make a sandwich"
I don't cook.
And I kept answering the same way.
In the end I said "What part of I don't cook meals don't you understand"
Been to 2 tribunals.
Got punished for appealing, they put me on appeal rate and cut my money by 25%.
Just for appealing.
Also don't smile, do not make too much eye contact.
Do not shake hands.
They are not your mate or relative.
You don't know them.
Its a box ticking excersise.
My last assessment was over the phone.
That alone shows it's all about what you put on the form, any different answers from what's on the form you filled out 2 years ago and they think you are a liar.
When filling your firm, copy it.
If you have to memorise those answers.
They will try to catch you out.
The person I front of you gets a bonus for every claim they can deny.
The assesor is paid a salary no bonus is paid.
Use the disabled toilet.
@@paulam40bullshit
@@paulam40 I had a pip phone assessment (due to chronic stomach condition), apparently I failed because assessor said I was coherent on the phone so I got zero points!
@HillbillyYEEHAA Its fact a salary is paid.
The best piece of advice i got for PIP ... make sure you fill in how you are on your worst days.
That’s not correct. So if you was having a better day and for example you said you couldn’t walk more than 100m and they saw you then what? Be honest and give an average or percentage. Tell them if you have pain doing so etc or if it leaves you wiped out etc. Write a diary and work it out. You’d be surprised just what you go through on a daily basis if you do this too as our illness becomes our norm.
@@LemonPufThe assessment asks for the applicant to consider "most days". Hence this helpful lady talking about average days.
@@LemonPuf
"make sure you fill in how you are on your worst days"
This is the advice Citizens Advice give.
@@PapaOfGags I just checked and they say tell them about good days and bad days
@@LemonPuf
Citizens Advice told me to >
"make sure you fill in how you are on your worst days"
Not looking for a disagreement just passing on what I was advised, best wishes.
Unfortunately all our days are now bad ones, so its a moot point for us now.
It's so hard when you find out the assessor lied about your answers. I wish I had recorded my assessment, now I'm off to tribunal.
Hi Charlie, thanks you so so much fir your fantastic videos. I followed all your advice and guidance regarding PIP claims. Well I'm happy to share with you that today I've just been told that I've been awarded full PIP award. I did it all by myself, however I've watched every video that you have made. The world is a much better place with people like you helping others.
I just told the truth I got letters from hospital consultants my GP and my mental health workers who wrote my form for me I received pip both components at a advanced rate but I would rather have no money and my physical health and mental health back I didn't try to decide the DWP but I can understand how a face to face assessment tries to tie you in mental knots trying to confuse you and doing their best to not give you pip I'm not a scrounger I worked for 40 odd years I've paid lots of tax and NI those who are ill I wish you happiness and good health and joy and peace and love p.s always get as much info about yourself and illness from drs etc and get a person maybe a mental health worker or social worker or pip help volunteer etc also thankyou so so much for helping people who are ill receive pip you are a star ⭐✨🌟❤ TC everyone big hugs all around from Marcus 👍🏻♥️🙂
Personally I find the Interviews embarrassing and humiliating, which in turn makes me more stressful, and really depressed
It makes me feel like a fraud and a criminal,
Like most people initially, I thought PIP was there to help support those struggling to do normal everyday things,.
What the procedure has done is exactly the opposite, I'm now more stressed, depressed and suicidal especially when being interrogate at the Interview
The first interview I ever had for DLA, as it was then, was so humiliating that I actually left halfway through,
To this day my Daughter helps me fill out the forms as I feel that by applying I'm doing something wrong
I know the need to curb spending is necessary, but why offer a benefit if you actively take steps to make it impossible to get.
I understand that feeling of embarrassment and humiliation, they make you feel like I was being interrogated for a crime, or something as bad. When I've never been in trouble with any law or authority before.
My first claim I dropped along similar lines. I did decide initially to attend the humiliation until the appointment arrived at a place with no parking and an interview room on the 3rd floor and no lift for someone with severe COPD who struggles even walking 20mtr on the flat. Basically it was if you can get to the appointment you dont need PIP and if you dont attend you fail. God only knows how people with more difficult walking/standing conditions got on at that place.
@royboy6890 Even criminals are presumed innocent until proven guilty
PIP presumes you're guilty and lying and asses you on that basis. The fact you are telling the truth doesn't even enter into it
The fact that you provide official medical evidence and they pay no attention to it shows they are geared to disallowing PIP purely on monetary baises
I don't do stairs and use a wheelchair. Even after informing them I can't do stairs, they booked me into an interview with stairs.
I'm not sure if this is just a coincidence, but on 2 different occasions, the buildings' fire alarm had gone off, and we had to evacuate the building.
I'm in my 60's and worked hard all my life, and I now feel like a burden, and a fraud and wshing it would all end.
Living like this isn't living but just existing for existence sake and is rather pointless to be honest
Thank you so much, you have made me realise how bad I actually am and how to describe it xx
They have hounded me for 14 years of multiple assessments , and finally, they have accepted that I'm ill . This advice is pure gold, ❤
You are saying what is true. I remember when I was really ill in the 90s with the side effects of a therapy I was getting, they tried at every single question to make me say that on "good days" I could do things, at the time they could have so easily have clawed back heaps of points because I was so fatigued and vulnerable that, had I not had a good friend and clinical psychologist with me, I would have probably agreed just to get the interview over with as it was such a difficult and stressful process. It's really unfair and we all know why they have to question people but, it seems to me, those who really need help are the ones more likely to go along with the interviewer, because of embarrassment and because they don't have the energy or the will to stand their ground. Therefore watching videos like this are important and, if possible taking someone with you to ensure you don't fold under pressure.
Pip... Can you use a microwave?
You… I don't own a microwave.
It's my wife's microwave I'm not allowed to touch it 😢 bing went the string's of my heart😂
Brilliant 😂
I'm having to do a mandatory reconsideration notice because they gave me 6 points in daily living. Like, near 70% of the year I'm off my feet because of knees and arthritis in feet. I have kidney disease and sleep over 14 hours per day. I often don't get out of bed because I'm just too tired and want to sleep all the time. Apparently I'm healthy though... lol. They did try the ol' "could you sit on a stool to prepare meals" and I said yes stupidly... when in reality I COULD sit on a stool, except I'd have to actually wake up, not go back to sleep, and move to the chair as well as standing and waiting for stuff to cook, or if I sit down to wait, that's extra travelling to and from the kitchen. They chose to cherry pick info and ignored my PIP form which clearly stated my wife prepares meals because my mobility issues are reactive and fatigue. Microwave meals aren't suitable due to the disease's dietary restrictions... yeah, definitely healthy mate. Ignore the fact my kidney is like... 17% function left lol, and I only have that one kidney too. Mandatory reconsideration time, don't let them BS you.
@yehldyehld I hope the MR goes in your favor. Appeal if not .
People don't understand what kidney disease is unless they worked or have had it. Every part of the body is affected.
Inform them of no energy, appetite, nausia anemia , itch all over ..
Being cold. List all drugs taking also, hospital may help with form filling. Good luck to you.
You are right about the guilt, and fear that others won't either believe us or won't understand how incapacitated we really are.
You say you have a migraine and someone will say they get headaches too! Or you say you're absolutely exhausted and they say "Yeah i could do with a nap."
So you either share how you feel and they misunderstand or you keep it to yourself and feel isolated.
By the time you get an assessment you hardly know what to say anymore! No wonder we're so easily crushed at these interviews.
So thank you very much for taking the time to help. I don't go to the interviews because travelling has to be so minimal for me. I ask them to visit me instead and they sit in the bedroom with me while i stay in bed. Its all humiliating but I appreciate the help we get so it has to be done.
The word never to say is "Yes" to these people.
As i was going out of the room where i had my face to face assessment, even though the assessor had already told me it was finished and i could go... she suddenly said 'oh, i just want to ask you what you would do if you couldn't find a toilet for the disabled while you are out?' and i just said well i have to research where i'm going to make sure there are disabled facilities and her face dropped as i could see she was trying to trap me into saying i would just have to use an ordinary toilet.
I would have just said I'd have to soil myself then lol
Thank you for sharing. I am in chronic pain. I am on basis pip. I plan on fighting this time. Sending love to you
Great video and great advice.
I'm sick of the phycological manipulation👍
I'm awake now at 3 am due to severe pain and this video is me.
Great advice.
Thank god there are people like you out there. Thank you for taking the time and effort to do what you do.
I’m doing everything I possibly can to help my health condition. That includes not eating pre prepared, highly processed microwave food from plastic containers so no, I can’t use a sodding microwave!
My last PIP i was asked if i could cook a meal if hypothetically i was in the kitchen (even if i couldn't get to the kitchen). I couldn't get to the kitchen and couldn't even worth a microwave - 99% bedridden. Still got marked that i could cook a meal in the m/w. Fortunately i got high rate regardless.
I did explain why I couldn't do the rest of the preparing a meal and had an advocate complete my application.
Yeah I didn't like those questions, the "what if" questions because to me they are irrelivant when the person literally cannot get to teh kitchen or in and out of a bath etc.
@@a-bootiful-mind6648Say, It is out of the question, simply not a happening thing. End of. They tried these teicks on my Mum, bless her she simply can not stand unaided that long, to put stuff in / out of the microwave.
I wonder if they ever consider "What if, said person, wasn't chronically ill, & could live lile they did before they were ill, then guess what - we wouldn't need to be appmying for PIP - like anyone wants to be humiliated and degraded ... ontop of trying to the make the best of the cards they are currently dealth with & all that comes with it.
Ffs these so called 'assessors' need to be living with a chronic illness themselves to 'get' how $h!% life is, imho.
You have a very good way of explaining all this, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience 😊
I wish I'd come across you the first or second time applying. They did the exact same thing to me and I behaved exactly as you said. And you're exactly right when you say about thinking "well maybe I can do, whatever" because I did. I must say that I have spoken to a couple of people that have really understood. This time I was called by a lady who asked me a few questions hoping that it would save me a assessment and the time before I did a mandatory reconsideration and again a lady phoned me, asked a few questions and she just got it. She said you just want to be believed. I was dumbfounded! It is demeaning
I didn’t have to fill in one form when I claimed Pip, I couldn’t. I was surprised to find they referred me for a assessment directly because of that 👍
Thanks Charlie. Just forwarded this to one of my adult kids for advice 💜🇬🇧
I managed to land up with a HUMAN at Hogwarts. Using a microwave is NOT “preparing and cooking a meal”. Where’s the PREPARING element?
I need help with chopping. I can’t do it. I was actually asked “if your boyfriend can’t come over to chop stuff for you, what do you do?” I replied that I “buy veg ready prepared”. “So you STILL NEED HELP; ready chopped veg means someone else has been needed to prepare the veg for you”
This was an eye-opener!!
It’s SO much more than “can you heat a meal in the microwave”.
I heat home-cooked meals in the microwave. All the time. That’s NOT counted as “PREPARING” a meal.
Please, everyone, focus on the PREPARING bit! Force the assessor to focus on the prep you cannot do.
Great advice. It's pretty much all tautology. That is the precise meaning of the word.
I worried myself silly before my assessment, i practised each question over and over again, not because i was going to lie, but i was warned that they would try to catch me out, but when i came out i found the truth was all i needed, but stay calm and take your time, don't let them bully you.
Add another one to that win list!!, i got my text message this morning saying i have been awarded, thankyou for all your help and advice along the way, i know my condition is not fixed by this but the help is very much appreciated ❤
Hi Charlie, thanks for your video. I’ve got my assessment tomorrow and I’ve got no help. I find it hard to remember things and I’m not saving kitchens. video was really good and I look forward to more videos. Keep up the good work you take care.
Thank you so much for your help and advise , I am unable to work and struggle to cook daily I tend to chuck things into a slow cooker early morning as I’m good for nothing after lunchtime . I definitely said I can cook I made myself sound better than I feel daily . Like you said being chronically ill is so awful we don’t admit it to ourselves sometimes how much we struggle day in day out .
Thank goodness I found your channel Thankyou ♡
I have leukemia. Cant cure it, can only manage it. Im exhausted all the the time. Was told by a benefit advisor I was wasn't sick enough for any benefit.
I work. When im not working im in bed. I order take away. I live to work, to order food.
You video gas reassured me that maybe I shouldn't be suffering.
Thank you so much. You're truly an asset to people who need help with this
Thanks Charlie I have listened to what you said and gone for pip, just done assessment the way you said. Just now waiting outcome
Thanks so much for doing this important work. Bless you.
Thank you my darling for your video. The night times are worse I concur.
Thanks for this, Charlie.
Ive been chronivslly.ill for 28 yrs now, & my hubby did everything for me, until he died, suddnly, of heart failure, 7 years ago.
Since then, ive lived on crumpets & crisps! Lol
I have to laugh at this, or Id just cry, because its actually almost true and, being honest with myself, as youve said we must be, & I learned to do so, years ago, in order to face up to how ill I truly am, is the only way ive got through these years without my darling hubby!
I get NO help from Social services, my family lives hundreds of miled awsy, and ive been ill for so long, our social circle disappeared when my hubby died, so ive learned to survive, by doing what I can manage for myself, on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.
I DO live on cereals, crumpets/toast (I have a chair placed right besides the kitchen counter, with my toaster, so I can use it while sat down), or even the occassional cupa-soup, when im just about well enough to handle a 1/4 -filled kettle!
But theres plenty of times when i have to rely on just eating a packet of crisps or, more often than not, a biscuit or 2, from a packet i keep by the bed, so i have something in my stomach, when I cant raise my head from the pillow, but know I need to eat, to take my pain meds, plus all the othet meds im on.
Thank heavens for dossette boxes!
I only buy food that takes very little time to just grab & eat, & doesnt involve an open flame - or a microwave!
I only have a hot drink when my cleaner comes, once a week, to go through the house, & change my bedsheets for me, bless her.
I have to use crutches to get about indoors, so cant carry anything that might spill, so my water bottle is my constant source of drink.
But, then, water is much bettet for me anywsy!
My cleaner will often.make me a few sandwiches, & wrap them.up individually, & puts them in the fridge, so I have sometjing to eat a bit more nourish8ng for me, for a dsy or 2, which is a blesding!
The only time I get a 'proper' meal, is when my daughter visits - she lives far from me, & works full time, so only has a couple of weekends a month to travel to see me.😊
I forbade her to give up her life to look after me btw!
She did stay here,bin her converted van, the 1st year of Covid, as her job wasnt furlowed, so it wad cheapet to move mear me, but I refused to let her give up her life for me ince tjingsbopened up again, as she deserves so much better, than being my Carer!
I couldnt have lived with myself, knowing she was giving up her life for me!
You see, even tjough my life is crap, ive had 28 yrs to adjust to that!
She stays for a couple of days, & helps me to shower & wash my hair, & she cooks me small meals - I eat very little, as my stomach just isnt used to having a true meal any more!
I suspect you know as many tips or tricks, thst those of us suffering chronic illnesd develop, simply to survive, such as using baby wipes, to feel cleaner, when ypu havent got the energy to get out of bed, to wash yourself?
Its these little things that have kept me going!
Thank heavens for bsby wipes, i say! .
I get home delivery for my shopping, once a fortnight - I order the same tjings every time, which makes it all so much easier - & the delivery drivers always bring my food into the kitchen, & even help me by putting it away for me, blesd them.
But thats easy, really, as I only buy food that needs no prep, so its easy to grab, & go back to bed with!
I guesd this is my very long windrd wsy of saying, from one survivor to another, that your advice is straight to the point, & I really hope that people follow it!
Im one of those who wasnt goung to be moved over to UC until 2028 - now, of course, thats all changing and, although ive had to go through the process of my lifetime awsrd of DLA, being changed to 10 yrs of PIP, then having to claim ESA for myself, after my hubby died, in 2018, im still dreading the move to UC, any day now, as I'll be one of those made worse off for the change, and as every penny of my PIP gets paid out to those who maintain my home, my garden, & myself, losing that extra money from my ESA, is going to mean even more things ill hsve to stop buying!
As I only have my food bill to work with, after all the other stuff, such as utilities, & heating oil, etc., thats going to be fun! :/
I am in that position too .Annoyed that the DWP have cut disability benefits covertly by forcing people off ESA with the severe disabilty component .Its bullshit .
Thanks Charlie ❤ it makes sense I do everything for my wife I live with her ❤️ and they don't give a penny what s she's going through
Thanks for all this help. I am having trouble proving worsening mobility. Have you any videos on the topic? I've probably missed it.
Thank you for this iv lost so many points because they make you feel so bad, even sitting in a tribunal they said nothing was wrong with my heart but i was born with CHD and was waiting on open heart surgery to get a pulmonary valve replacement, they make you feel terrible, now iv got my review form anc im dredging it xx
the thing that gets me is they ask you if you can read a map or are able to read road signs. Of course if you answer no, you get the points to get a mobility car....it beggars belief! someone i know also gets pip and a mobility car because he has learning difficulties....but he didn't have those difficulties when he sat his driving test!
But lots of people with the cars don't drive themselves.
I agree though, it doesn't make sense
Thank you. I found this very helpful as I suffer from Chronic Fatigue, Have a Chronic Illness and is in Pain all the time, and I feel so depressed when I have to do the PIP so very stressful, and I have found your video very helpful thank you again.
Lovehealingest22 try looking into our supplements to fix yourself up but don't tell them that
Tell me someone who can cook a meal from scratch in the microwave
You COULD make pasta I suppose... but there aren't too many healthy meals that can be done in the microwave.
Microwaves are dangerous that's why they are using 5 g to kill you off
I can. Easily, and I get both higher rates of PIP.
@@yehldyehldThere are loads. The PIP form doesn't say the meal has to be healthy but even then, there's loads of food that can be done in a microwave. There us guidance on what the questions really mean and how to interpret them.
You even get radiation ☠ for your efforts 😂
Thank you for reminding us we not able to do some or part of what we could do. But know we I. just can’t do it anymore
We are not alone -we can build a life with grit and determination one "step" at a time :) Hard to be focusing on what it is you can't do but once the hurdle is crossed then we aim high however that translates for each of us!
Respect to you for the truth 💯 take care we need to find more people like you ❤
Thanks for this advice its been a long road for me as a carer supporting my wife. Thankfully weve only had one face to face assessment before the award. Were now on our second award review however this was submitted almost a year ago. There is a massive backlog.
Thank you so much for your brave help.
Good advice, thanks for sharing, I will be spending a bit time here.
I was recently awarded the higher rate on both parts which was a bit of a shock because I didn't have any backing from a GP and haven't engaged with them since my diagnosis thirty years ago and I'm not on any medication but I still got it and one thing that I really believe helped me anD made all the difference was me recording it. Do not allow them to take conitrol and claim that you don't need to record it because they will, do it yourself and as soon as the call begins tell them it is being recorded because by the way my assessor reacted when I said I was recording it I believe they were already planning on fitting me up but they are not so quick to do that when they know there will be a record of the call on your end.
Good luck.
Hi, that's great that you managed to get through it without a struggle. Can I ask if the DWP said you are not allowed to record it at the time?
@@Jd-mg4yu No they didn't say that, she just seemed really miffed that I was recording it which really made me feel she was planning on shafting me which was how I failed years ago by the assessor completely fabricating the assessment. If anyone tells you you cannot record it you can, you just have to let them know at the start of the call that it is being done.
Ok thanks. As if it isn't hard enough dealing with ill health, you then have to feel like you are on trial going through the assessment as well. Glad it went well for you though considering no GP backing etc as I would of thought they would want lots of back up medical stuff. Can I ask if pip can be applied indefinitely like with DLA or is it set time limit now?
@@Jd-mg4yu I think you have to have regular phone calls or resaassments but I'm not 100% on that. And yeah it just goes to show you even with no medical backing apart from my diagnoses on record you can still get it.
Well that's not gonna help me much as I'm terrible on the phone and forget what I'm saying from one minute to the next haha. Also my medical papers are years old as they say there's nothing more can be done so I'm just gonna have to hope for the best. Thanks.
It's the so called hypothetical questions which irritate me. I was asked, " Hypothetically if you were on a bus and the bus broke down what would you do if nobody was with you." I informed her that it wouldn't happen as I have to have someone with me to get on and off a bus, that is if I can make it to the bus stop in the first place. She pushed further and said, "It's hypothetical, so what would you do?" I then gave her an example of a time when I tried to go somewhere I was unfamiliar with on my own and how I got panicked and very scared because I didn't know where I was and had to call my daughter to come find me to take me home. I think she could see how agitated I was becoming just thinking about it and she then moved on to the next question on her list.
This lady is telling the truth this is what it's like been there turned down flat answer d exactly the same questions so where is the money going because it's there and they are not passing it on
Thank you, all true, very helpful x
If you don't have a microwave then they can't hassle you with these tricky questions
I only have a microwave for when my daughter visits - she loves making frothy hot milk to add to her coffee! Lol
I did the pip training and I sacked the job as it seemed awful the way people were treated. Best thing I ever did. I think it's a job for the heartless in my opinion.
My mum once had a disability advisor with the DWP who described it to her as a soul destroying job. And I met a bloke a while ago who worked as a work coach and he told me that the only thing that motivates him to get out of the door and go to work every day is the thought that if he gave in and left then he might be replaced by somebody who doesn't care about vulnerable people like he does. There are good people working for the DWP. There are also some absolutely incredible Jeremy Hunts. It's purely luck of the draw who you get.
Was that working for the DWP or one of the many contracted private companies that work for DWP. You also mentioned "PIP training", I assume with that is you have little to none medical training which should be the most important part of being an assessor.
I live on two too three hours sleep a nite like you I am in constant pain and constantly fatigued,I have multiple health conditions and for me I will be glad when my life is over ,no more pain or sleepless nites
Thank you appreciate everything you do..
Those horrible lying and deceiving cretins on the other side of the phone pulled this with my severely disabled mother, had one of her payments cancelled and almost put her in the hospital with stress.
I would love to know who was on the other side of the phone that day because they not only ignored what my mother said but also decided to completely fabricate a bunch of points they didnt even ask her in the first place.
Those people who carry out the interviews deserve nothing but sadness in life.
The majority of these places are NOT the PIP offices but contracted out call centres with call handlers who have zero medical training that can change daily and a pre written format specifically designed to fail claimants. I had one call handler ask me to explain what the SEVERE COPD meant on the claim form and followed up with how could that effect my daily living if its only a breathing difficulty.
@@royboy6890 yeah, looks like people have finally started getting fed up with it all, the government, 2 tier policing, rising crime rates.
Government might actually do something when they realise nationwide anarchy is NOT profitable.
I had a telephone assessment for my pip for my ms and I had to admit to a total stranger, a man, that I have to wear adult nappies coz my bladder is not functioning properly!!! It was horrific! The only saving grace was my nurses where I have my treatment, they said “don’t worry about it, he doesn’t know u and he’ll NEVER meet u..” thanks guys! Still feels awful!! Damn them all! 🤬
They are truly humiliating. I hate to admit things I cant do. Plus blew up the microwave last time I tried and had to have the wall repainted. Im not allowed anymore. Plus with my condition now no fat or salt so no micro meals. Air fryer only. I cant carry out the hot thing. I tried once and smashed it on the floor (burnt my hand too). Had to order a new one but ive tried!!! Now im banned from the kitchen can only go to open the fridge. If nobody cooked I wouldnt eat! I dont care about eating, eating disorder, im so underweight and being sent to the hozzie for that. Yet on the phone they keep on going about cutting a tomato till you give in. Like Id even want to, if nobodies here im ok with not eating hoping to lose weight. They dont take that into consideration but I collapse from not eating. They still talk you into cutting a tomato. FFS Cant we all sue them?? I dont sleep rolling around my bed sweating every night about the next time.
When you spoke about a faker wont care but those of us that are ill may deal with the guilt, doubting yourself when DWP question you, playing down your struggles and not wanting to be a burden to our loved ones...that really hit home hard. Thats exactly how i feel.
I should have been claiming pip for the last two years but i just couldn't do the paperwork. Partly because my condition makes any paperwork very difficult but also because of the guilt and shame. I don't want their money, i want to get better! i didnt need the money so i chose to not to apply as stress can cause some of my symptoms to get worse so i chose my health over the financial help. Now im getting worse anyway which is costing so much more that i have no choice but to apply.
Thank you very much, your videos are really helpful ❤
If you’re entitled to it, apply! ❤
The system needs to change for the better it's unfit for purpose !
Thank you, Charlie. Your videos are exceptional. I hope you get some sleep.
Thank you ❤
Thanks
Thankyou for this excellent advice - being tired is why assessments are a horror - too tired to fill out firm oreven get to GP to get proof of illness. Months or years waits for nhs soecialists so cannot get proof of illness in time to show to PIP assessors etc
How are you Charlie?
Thank you.
People cannot understand fatigue. The type of unbearable crushing fatigue that means you have no energy to move
Love catching up ❤
I was lucky, the assessor I had didn't go on about it, I can use a microwave but I can't stand long enough to prepare a meal. And you do get points for only being able to use a microwave.
Thanks Charlie for doing this im in the middle of filling out my mandatory claim and was up all nights too. I got tricked just like this on that question.
Aye you don’t fill out a mandatory you ask them to look at the evidence again hence a reconsideration
If in your assessment and it’s been agreed that it the session can be recorded, would the assessor using the same line of questioning. Could that be classed as hectoring and leading the applicant?
I live in Scotland and PIP has been taken over by the Scottish government, and its a lot more user friendly now. They don't try to trip you up where ever they can and they treat you a lot more humanely then the PIP process does. I'm worried now because people are rightly got fed up with the SNP, even after all the good things they have done, and voted them out in favour of the Labour party. I worry that they will get rid of the new Scottish PIP benefit and bring back the old one again.
Fingers crossed that it doesn't take a backward steps.
I can see how they trick people!
Yes the bastards tricked my wife and she lost her car. Absolute swine.
It's constant when you have the assessments. Constant trickery, mine went on 3 1/2 hours, I was about to literally hang up, & told them I was knackered, they would have to finish it another time. They trick you about everything, consent, even that they are DWP when they aren't they are contracted out, about medical records, which they make out they have but then said they didn't, so who knows?
I have no idea on the outsome yet.
The way things are going I think it will all get cut & anyone rx pip will get targetted in some way imho.
You should work for the Citizens Advice Bureau, your literally doing the job now!
Theres a reason why CA were moved from stand alone buildings into job centres and civic buildings and its not for the benefit of people requiring financial assistance. They are often staffed by ex DWP staff or council staff acting as volunteers.
@@royboy6890 they haven’t been moved in my town 🤔 I don’t care who works there, they’ve always been helpful to many people I know & myself. Its good of them to give their time & energy to help people especially as its a free service 😊👍
I have a debilitating condition but not sure I agree with this training. Don’t get me wrong it helps the genuine claimants, but it also shows Thames that have nothing wrong with them.
Hi Charlie I have followed your advice and my partner won pip for his dyslexia a massive thank you don't change and keep up your work 👍 question is though do you cover areas of allergies for children under 16 my child has multiple severe allergies and food is so expensive for her I did apply once but failed wonder if it's the same concept for applying for children
If i’m not having any treatments. Under treatments on my pip review form can i just put “no treatments? Thanks
Help! The form has changed.. it doesn't give you the points for each thing any more.. 😢 it's so much more difficult now. Really struggling
How does it work with mental health I don't cook at all I have no motivation to do it I do just grab a packet of biscuits
I'd tell them that your mental health issue causes so much fatigue that you can't get out of bed on x number of days, and even if you weren't exhausted, you'd still have motivational issues because you're mentally unwell. Perhaps also remind them that they have to treat you fairly and downplaying mental health could be a breach of the equality act. Also check out Charlie's mandatory reconsideration video or the original PIP application videos, they go through examples of different conditions. Mental health is covered in the mandatory reconsideration vid, but I'm sure she has some mental health based videos too.
Your mental health is the reason, or diagnosed mental health conditions? The symptoms are why you cannot do things? For example I might say I make no motivation to eat there fore I don’t cook, side effects of your condition fill your mind and life preventing you from living a basic ‘able’ life? X
Make notes of how you feel as they happen as well as the difficulties you experience in life. Take pictures of any forms you fill in so you know what youve written. Engage in as many mental health support organisations, regularly phone the MH team, visit the walk in centre if self harming etc, all so there’s records of what your experiencing. Show your willing to work, even voluntary, they love that!
The problem with the mental health issue is the inclusion of many with perceived minor mental health affecting the genuine debilitating sufferers. I know many who get PIP under the mental health issue which has virtually zero effect on their daily living yet serious sufferers usually with underlying conditions get refused solely on the physical side. My physical disabilities makes me wary of going out alone or preparing a meal which is in itself a mental issue yet the questioning is always would I be able to do it physically if I had to.
I've had my pip assessment and the main thing I can say about you is they ask you how long it takes you to do things. I have a friend who works in a civil service and she told me the PIP assessment is based on a second world war soldiers injuries, so no wonder it is difficult to pass. I would say that it is all about how long it takes you to do things
And planning, and buying the food in advance, and being able to eat it before it expires
Not all heroes wear capes! Thank you ❤
When is pip will send a review form, is it months before end date or near end date? Can someone tell me please?
I get PIP and live alone, so I have no choice but to prepare my meal regardless of how much pain I'm in. I can't stand for long, just enough to make a hot drink, then I have to negotiate going from the kitchen to the living room, by which time I'm in severe pain.
My husband has pip but he has deteriorated and has dementia and Alzhimers,but i havnt told them he is worse in case they stop his money.I need to go to the citizens advice to help me.
Really appreciate the content. I do have a question.
Until recently i was a chef, i've working to a very high, 2 michelin star standard with the likes of Tom Kerridge & Phil Howard. But after 10 year of PPMS i have had to limp away from my 30 year career.
Can i cook a simple meal?
YES! Unquestionable.
But the loss of ability & livelihood is crippling, not to mention the pain & fatigue, depression & anxiety. Am i any less worthy of support for stubbornly refusing to hang up my apron especially when nutrition is a vital part of my healing and hopefully can one day provide a service to others and an income for myself. Any advice would be very welcome as i know i'm going to struggle with this.
Anyone ever seen 1 point given for a category? Cos i got 1 point leaving me on 11 points, instead of 2 points taking me to 12.....ive never seen an odd number on any category before....
My son's aspergers is preventing him from living independently as his mind governs his actions not his hands. He uses a microwave daily only to heat food that I have prepared.
I find your videos helpful this question I don't cook tried collapsed trying caused myself injury I'm a 2x assault victim 1st was attempted manslaughter the second was DWP medical team who put me in hospital which led to a lower spinal transplant I find it difficult to get about have had tons of hate 3 cars distroyed as the haters think I shouldn't drive I also due to the assaults suffer from ptsd which has been diagnosed in the past 5yrs but they believe it's due to the 38 medicals from the DWP which dose not allow me to forget the 1st assault yet I've got a form to fill out again for pip but not due till Feb next year???
I got twisted by this part, and didn't get my paperwork to ask for a reconsideration yay. I've complained and we shall see
I was getting pip one day and then I had to go and see them the next thing I know is that they said nothing had changed but they stopped my pip I had to keep on at them to get my pip back they are horrible people, Thankfully I got my pip back.
What gets me is they put in their report don’t seem to be in much pain how the hell can they tell this over the sodding phone they are out to catch you out and not pay out
Say you don't have a microwave and the assassin could say if the meal went cold what would you do just reply eat it cold. A friend only has takeaways and uses Deliveroo to get them delivered. He sometimes puts them to one side ant eats them hours later. He had a review last year and they called him to an assessment and he told the assassin this he still gets enhanced PIP rates.
I could really use your advice right now 😞
How can i get your help ?
i believe they've done this to my partner. they have upheld their stuff for the MRC and now to make it all worse by the fact the NHS has recently lost my partners medical records so we can't even get it to tribunal because we can't get the records we need.
I live alone, I have no choice but to cook for myself. I use a perch stool, to cook a simple meal for 4 that should take 40 minutes takes me all day. I have get stuff out the fridge, rest. Prep the food, rest. Cook the food. Rest then eat one of the meals by reheating it in the microwave. And you guessed it rest. The other three go in the fridge to be microwaved over the next 3 days. I can’t afford meals on wheels as they are too expensive, I don’t have family so I have no choice in the matter. I can no keep on top of my dishes even though I have a countertop dishwasher because I cannot stand/perch long enough safely enough to do it. My cleaner only comes once a week and tries to put it on for me, but the problem then is it’s too full to safely offload, my gardener and cleaner take all my dla that is left after my wheelchair deduction. The people doing the assessments by and large do not know what it is to live with chronic pain, and disability due to complex medical issues.
I've got severe agoraphobia and panic attacks I've applied for pip I've just been sent a form on how it affects my everyday life.How do I approach it I'm thinking of giving up😢
Any EDS groups out there in Norfolk?? My partner is struggling. Needs support from like minded others. Many thanks.