Mental health pip decision please please help

jadeyb

Hi I recently applied for pip I was declined and as it’s a claim due to my mental health I’m finding it very hard to make them understand my illness as it effects me everyday some worse then others but I never have a “good day” I suffered from depression and anxiety  since i was 19 im
34 I’ve never got better only worse due to tragic life events I have a long history with the doctors as over the years my tablets have only increased in dosage I’m now at 200mg and that’s the highest I can go! My anxiety is too the point I don’t leave the house only to take my son to the Park and only then at certain times due to not wanting to interact with others and just that small
trip to the park is a massive anxiety attack for me but he needs air right! I also suffer from ibs mainly due to the anxiety I can be stuck on the toilet for hours my eldest has to look after my son for me while I’m stuck there! I have held down a few jobs over the years with difficulty but I just know I couldn’t work! Not like this! I need time to get myself back on track!  But as it’s all hidden it’s hard to show does anyone else have this problem with a pip decision! I also suffer from memory blanks when I’m really in a  Bad way I can’t function my memory doesn’t work I just stare into space! I walk into rooms not knowing what I’m doing! I explained this to the assessor but on the report it says “you say your memory is bad but you could clearly tell me and remember your medical history show casing your memory is ok” but of course I could
list problems and conditions I have cause I live with them day in and day out!!! I also wrote everything down to be able to list off my problems because my memory isn’t the best!! Some 
days my mum has to encourage me to get dressed and washed and clean and cook the curtains will be closed for days sometimes! She has to look after the children on those days cause I can’t even be a mum I know how degrading but this is the reality! This is my life! Now to top it off whilst Waiting to hear Back from the claim my 2 year olds dad died suicide! We weren’t together but he payed for and had my son every other weekend and we were friends so I’m now dealing with this horrific loss and I can’t even get help financially from him anymore im
scared and I need help!  Has anyone else had issues when it comes to mental health pip decisions??? Or am I just actually not entitled? What help is there if not??Please help many thanks in advance

poppy123456

You have 1 month from the date of the decision to request the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR) You will need to put this in writing (not ring them) stating where and why you think you should have scored those points.

When you filled out the form if you didn't put a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you then you should do that now. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. You should aim for at least half an A4 side of paper per descriptor that applies to you.

Do also remember that it's not about a diagnosis, or about your ability to work. People claim PIP and work.

It always helps to have some understanding of the descriptors and what they mean so start here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria It's long but well worth taking some time to have a read through it.

The most likely outcome of the MR will be the decision doesn't change. Only about 23% of them change in the claimants favour at this stage. If this happens you can proceed to Tribunal.

There's some information about the MR here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration-pip/

jadeyb

Thank you very much for your advice! It’s such a daunting and stressful process as it is it’s been a long hard few months the thought of fighting it further gives me more anxiety but I’ve come this far I suppose! 

chiarieds

Hi @jadeyb - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry you have been through so much especially with the loss of your little boy's Dad on top of everything else.

I'd try to do a Mandatory Reconsideration as far as PIP goes, which is where another decision maker will look at everything again. You normally have 1 month from the date of your decision letter to request this, but if it was longer ago than this, don't worry, as you can in fact request this up to 13 months later if you give a reason.

You should put a Mandatory Reconsideration in writing (with your name & National Insurance on each page) stating where you feel you should have got points & why.

This link may help find helpful as far as PIP & mental health problems go: https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/   it's about filling in a PIP form, but is still relevant to identify where you need help (even if you don't get it)

Other than that, do go with poppy's advice to then give those important couple of detailed replies for each applicable descriptor with your Mandatory Reconsideration.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @jadeyb

Welcome to the community! I am sorry to hear that you have been through so much. I see Poppy and Chiarieds have helped with the benefits side to your query. 

I just wanted to reach out as you mentioned being on medication for your mental health and I wondered if you also went to counselling? If you feel that could also be beneficial, especially with the loss of your little ones dad, my condolences, I'd encourage you to look into it. 

You can refer yourself through the NHS website for talking therapies and you can request online sessions as you mentioned not only the mental health, but the IBS too. I have IBD and found therapy really helpful with that. I also found it really helped my brain fog. Which was being caused from the fatigue and stress of living with an illness. 

I know your little one is only 2 but I wanted to also share the Children and Bereavement page from the NHS just in case you feel you'll need it. 

I hope the community can be a place of support for you

jadeyb

Thank you very much I have done this and had my first session this week through talking therapies referred by the doctor but I am still unsure as I really don’t like talking but I’m giving it a go xxx

Hannah_Alumni

@jadeyb Glad to hear you have the ball rolling with it. I do hope it helps you  

NiiQ

Good luck jadeyb

Julieann123

Hello ,
I'm new but have been following your advice on pip , cut along story short I have PTSD , hypertension due to PTSD and seizures, ,I used to work full time single mum , applied for pip ,I got zero points change to 6points when I took it to tribunal still waiting for the hearing ,but between all that , I got my bundle of paper work reading through it I noticed on page 26 assessment report ,the lady had written I killed my daughter and put her in my watch ,in fact the full page didn't make sense to my disguise I reported this to the dwp complaints ,still waiting for that to , but I'm shocked and disgusted how someone can write this disgusting statement untrue all my daughter our alive and living life , plus she also put I take opium instead of putting epillim .

Can anyone advise my next step I have informed my tribunal ,and to be fair the complaints manager was that disgusted he said I'm getting on this straight away .

OverlyAnxious

Julieann123 said:

Hello ,
I'm new but have been following your advice on pip , cut along story short I have PTSD , hypertension due to PTSD and seizures, ,I used to work full time single mum , applied for pip ,I got zero points change to 6points when I took it to tribunal still waiting for the hearing ,but between all that , I got my bundle of paper work reading through it I noticed on page 26 assessment report ,the lady had written I killed my daughter and put her in my watch ,in fact the full page didn't make sense to my disguise I reported this to the dwp complaints ,still waiting for that to , but I'm shocked and disgusted how someone can write this disgusting statement untrue all my daughter our alive and living life , plus she also put I take opium instead of putting epillim .

Can anyone advise my next step I have informed my tribunal ,and to be fair the complaints manager was that disgusted he said I'm getting on this straight away .

The assessors only have a very short amount of time to write the reports.  Most of them are full of spelling mistakes and typo's.  In your case, that is a particularly unfortunate mistake.  Perhaps it was meant to say 'called' your daughter for something?  Your next step is to go through the tribunal.  Good luck.

Julieann123

Thankyou ,for your feed back but I'm assuming assessors are employed payed professional people who have a duty of care to not rush on time limits ,