PIP Tribunal - Further evidence

Catlsk

Hello and thank you all for the amazing resource you all contribute to helping so many of us out. Please don't judge the quality of my thread and compare it to my ability in real life as I've used a program to help me type this up.

I don't have my tribunal date yet as when I called up the person I spoke to said I was 1 week over the average for my area in waiting for a hearing date. What I found interesting though is that the person said that once it got to 6+ weeks over being over the average they would be able to do something then... What that something is, I have no clue but thought it was worth it to mention. 

The main reason I'm posting today is asking for any suggestions/advice/help on what more I can do to strengthen my case ready for whenever the hearing takes place. I currently get standard for daily and mobility but firmly believe I have a strong case for enhanced for both.

I won't list everything that's going on with me but what I will say is my mental health and in particular prevents me from leaving as I suffer with heavy agoraphobia which as I'm sure you can understand makes it hard to get evidence that of my walking difficulties for example. I will say that when I was forced out of my house for the face to face assessment last year that it was the first and only time I made an attempt on my life when I returned home from the sheer terror I was in and also the horrible treatment I got during it. 

I think one of the biggest points I disagree with is "9. Engaging with other people face to face" for which I was scored 0 when clearly that was not the case. My GP is aware that I made an attempt on my life because I was forced out of the house to do that and has since changed my medication and referred me to a mental health therapy  service. The other point I take most issue with is "2. Moving around" as it was stated I can move up to 50 meters but no more than that however when the health professional asked me how far I could move I was in distress/crying and didn't fully understand the question so I said that I could move from my kitchen to the front gate with the aid of my walking stick and in reality I can only go to just under 20 meters before I have to rest for a long time to catch my breath before repeating it a few times before I'm unable to walk at all from the extreme built up pain. I have monthly phone calls with my GP to make sure everything with the medication is okay.

I've submitted a week dairy of a typical week of my life as well as going over all the PIP descriptors one by one stating why it does/doesn't apply to me. Is there anything else I can do to help my case? 

I don't know how it works but would I be able to get a representative to help me at this late juncture? 

It's a telephone hearing.

 

poppy123456

Can I just ask, are you claiming for physical conditions as well as mental health? 

nasturtium

Hello Catlsk

Catlsk said:

I will say that when I was forced out of my house for the face to face assessment last year that it was the first and only time I made an attempt on my life when I returned home from the sheer terror I was in and also the horrible treatment I got during it. 

Just out of interest did you request a telephone assessment?

Catlsk said:

"2. Moving around" as it was stated I can move up to 50 meters but no more than that however when the health professional asked me how far I could move I was in distress/crying and didn't fully understand the question so I said that I could move from my kitchen to the front gate with the aid of my walking stick and in reality I can only go to just under 20 meters before I have to rest for a long time to catch my breath before repeating it a few times before I'm unable to walk at all from the extreme built up pain. I have monthly phone calls with my GP to make sure everything with the medication is okay.

Just to inform you if you did not know. The Moving Around activity also involves you being able to stand then move reliably (safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor and to an acceptable standard) So if you cannot stand without significant pain or it is not safe for you to stand you need to mention that at the tribunal.

Nasturtium

Catlsk

poppy123456 said:

Can I just ask, are you claiming for physical conditions as well as mental health? 

Yes, I am.

nasturtium said:

Hello Catlsk

Catlsk said:

I will say that when I was forced out of my house for the face to face assessment last year that it was the first and only time I made an attempt on my life when I returned home from the sheer terror I was in and also the horrible treatment I got during it. 

Just out of interest did you request a telephone assessment?

Yes, I did.

Catlsk

poppy123456 said:

Can I just ask, are you claiming for physical conditions as well as mental health? 

Yes, I am.

nasturtium said:

Hello Catlsk

Catlsk said:

I will say that when I was forced out of my house for the face to face assessment last year that it was the first and only time I made an attempt on my life when I returned home from the sheer terror I was in and also the horrible treatment I got during it. 

Just out of interest did you request a telephone assessment?

Yes, I did.

Catlsk

Sorry about the double post my pc isn't the best. Thank you for any help you all can provide I know I've done a lot but it's all just become very much lately.

Hannah_Alumni

I'm sorry it's become all too much recently @Catlsk I hope you know we are here for you in the community. Have you been into our Coffee Lounge? We play games and have general discussions in there, if you want to join us and keep your mind off everything

Can I ask, do you have support around you? 

Catlsk

Hannah_Scope said:

Can I ask, do you have support around you? 

Thank you for being very kind but I don't have anyone to support me. 

Can I ask what the reason was Poppy asked the question she did? I thought after asking such a question there would be more to come.

I do have some good and terrifying news as I have a date as of today and the telephone hearing will be on 15th of next month  

poppy123456

I didn't respond further because i didn't see your response. I don't read every single thread here and i have all notifications turned off.

My reason for asking was because you mentioned your mental health in particular prevents you from leaving your house. You did mention being unable to walk and some people think that being unable to walk because of their mental health prevents them due to fear and under these circumstances you wouldn't qualify for any points in the moving around part. As you're also claiming for physical conditions then it maybe possible to score points here, depending on how far you can walk.

Hannah_Alumni

@Catlsk You can always refer yourself for talking therapies if you feel they would help  

Don't be scared! I'm happy you have an appointment sooner rather than later. You can always have someone with you if you are nervous.