Really worried about this - PIP outcome

Jdog

Hi, 

I have recently been awarded PIP due to a number of conditions that I deal with, one of which is severe back pain. I completed the form in detail and had my telephone assessment. I received the decision of my award a couple of months ago. 

The decision maker stated that he had decided that I could walk for more than 20m unaided but not for more than 50m. This isn't what I stated in my application. This is correct on a bad day, but there are also many days when I can walk more than this. In my assessment I talked about this - having good and bad days and how on a good day I can walk around the park etc or supermarket. On a bad day I will need to sit down. 

Obviously I am really pleased that I have been awarded PIP but I am an anxious person and I worry that I am going to get into trouble if someone sees me walking more than 50m!. Part of me thinks that I should call DWP and explain my concerns but then I also don't want to open up a can of worms that might actually be to my detriment. 

I have heard horror stories of people being prosecuted etc and I it literally keeps me awake at night. I would rather not have the money than this worry

calcotti

PIP is assessed on how you are on the majority of days over a 12 month period. It is not based on what happens on a particular day.

Jdog

calcotti said:

PIP is assessed on how you are on the majority of days over a 12 month period. It is not based on what happens on a particular day.

Thanks for posting. I know, it's just that I have never really measured how far I can walk without pain. Some days it's not far but other days I can walk for a while. I just don't want to ever be accused od of lying. No amount of money would be worth that

calcotti

Jdog said:

calcotti said:

PIP is assessed on how you are on the majority of days over a 12 month period. It is not based on what happens on a particular day.

Thanks for posting. I know, it's just that I have never really measured how far I can walk without pain. Some days it's not far but other days I can walk for a while. I just don't want to ever be accused od of lying. No amount of money would be worth that

You have provided information. They have made an assessment and applied what they consider to be the appropriate descriptor. It’s not an exact science.

poppy123456

I claim Enhanced mobility PIP for the moving around part. I can walk and sometimes i can walk further than others but every single day i'm in a lot of pain. I was awarded because the majority of the days i can't walk regularly or reliably. I don't measure the distance i can walk either.

Jdog

poppy123456 said:

I claim Enhanced mobility PIP for the moving around part. I can walk and sometimes i can walk further than others but every single day i'm in a lot of pain. I was awarded because the majority of the days i can't walk regularly or reliably. I don't measure the distance i can walk either.

Thank you

Yesterday is a good example of this - I was able to walk around Aldi for around 30 mins without any major issue ( my back always aches) so to someone looking in I would probably look fine. On another day I can be in significant pain. I just worry so much about looking like a fraud. It literally keeps me awake at night 

OverlyAnxious

Jdog said: I just worry so much about looking like a fraud. It literally keeps me awake at night 

This is something that causes a lot of us anxiety, you're definitely not alone with that.  However, the reality is, there's nothing anyone can say on here, or anywhere else, to relieve that anxiety. 

Ultimately, if someone knows you're on PIP and sees you out regularly, they might tell the DWP who might then investigate.  Then you just have to confirm that on the majority of days, you're unable to walk long distances.

This really is your issue to try and accept...easier said than done, I know!

Jdog

Thanks for everyone's comments. I do tend to overthink things. I was worried that i would get to the review stage in a couple of year and be told that I have got to pay it all back! 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Jdog

Welcome to the community!  

I'm glad to see the community has helped you, we are always here if you need to chat or vent. I overthink a lot as well when my anxiety gets bad. Do you have any hobbies or interests? We tend to have discussions and play games in Coffee Lounge, should you ever feel anxious. Be lovely to get to know you too!