Parent Denied Disability Benefits Despite Severe Bladder Issues Restricting Daily Life
A parent has revealed how they were refused Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits despite suffering from debilitating bladder problems that make it extremely difficult for them to leave their home. The individual, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described feeling "embarrassed, sad, and completely invalidated" by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decision, which came after months of waiting and a detailed assessment process.
Daily Struggles and Medical Evidence Ignored
The parent explained that ongoing health conditions mean they cannot commit to being away from home for extended periods, significantly affecting their independence and quality of life. They stated: "I have accidents daily which make it very hard to leave the house. This is something I've kept secret from everybody I know due to embarrassment." Despite their GP recommending the PIP application and medical records confirming their condition, the DWP assessment reportedly scored them zero points across all categories.
In a heartfelt Reddit post titled 'Scored 0 all around and mentally unable to do anything about it', they detailed how the assessor's report contained numerous inaccuracies. "The report is full of lies," they claimed. "It says I have support for things I cannot do, when I was very open about having zero support. Perhaps the most difficult part was reading that I supposedly said I have no incontinence issues when I spoke at length about my daily struggles."
The Emotional Toll of the Assessment Process
The individual described the entire benefits assessment as "dehumanising and draining," leaving them without the emotional energy to pursue an appeal. Having been out of work for three years with no return in sight, they feel particularly vulnerable. "It seems to the assessor that because I have children and there's no social care involvement, I am perfectly capable. This whole process has drained the life out of me," they confessed.
Other Reddit users responded with sympathy and practical advice, with many sharing similar experiences of physical health issues being overlooked in PIP assessments. One commenter noted: "It astounds me when I see people get full PIP for things like anxiety but physical issues like this are overlooked. It's so hard to live a normal life with bladder and bowel problems."
Pathways to Challenge PIP Decisions
Several respondents urged the parent not to give up and provided guidance on challenging the decision. Key recommendations included:
- Requesting a copy of the full assessor's report from the PIP helpline
- Submitting a mandatory reconsideration in writing rather than by phone
- Contacting organizations like Citizens Advice for support with the appeals process
- Understanding that while the standard deadline is one month, extensions to thirteen months are possible with valid reasons
According to official government guidance, individuals can request a mandatory reconsideration if they believe an error was made, important evidence was missed, or they simply disagree with the decision rationale. The process is free, though some decisions may proceed directly to appeal.
The parent's experience highlights ongoing concerns about how disability benefits assessments evaluate invisible and physically restrictive conditions, particularly those affecting mobility and independence in ways that may not be immediately apparent to assessors.
