ADHD: PIP consultation and perceptions

SonOfYorick

Hi, I'm new. I'm 41 and I've just had my PIP consultation phonecall this morning.

I have ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder and without doubt some co-morbid learning issues.

From the way the consultant focused the questions, it was definitely his impression that ADHD is a mental illness, not a hard-wired neurological condition.
And annoyingly, the questions that weren't copies of ones on the original PIP form were tailored that way:

How often do you go to the shops, how often do you go to the cinema, can you catch a train etc.

These were short, and they're not the kind of question I can use to explain the nuances of a hard-wired brain condition that effects my executive functions and decision-making.

My PIP form was a 2,280 word masterpiece of concise explanations of why I definitely need help, but because I'm relatively sane and not depressed, this guys effed up my first chance.

Anyone in the same boat?

poppy123456

We often have members here that think their assessment went badly but go onto to be successfully awarded. I think it would be impossible to predict anything at this stage. Once the report is written and returned to DWP a decision can take up to 12 weeks. Once it's made you will be contacted.

Jimm_Scope

Welcome to the community @SonOfYorick, as someone with ADHD I get the misunderstanding. Quite a few health professionals have shown some stark ignorance of the condition. I even had one ask me "what do you think this will even change for you? Why bother?". 

I also put quite a bit of work into my forms, with help. Struggled to really focus on them. I do wonder what exactly they're trying to accomplish with the questions. I will say in future, you don't have to answer short questions with short answers. I have my assessment in 2 weeks time, we'll see how that goes! I'll try to post something here afterwards (you may need to remind me).

malice88

Did you get an outcome in the end?

Jimm_Scope

It can take many weeks to get a decision on PIP and their assessment was only last week. So likely they will not hear for some time.

My own assessment is in a week and a halfs time, I'll try to remember to put how it went here

Cookiefish

I just had a paper assessment (I am autistic and ADHD). I got 0 points, same on MR. Tribunal it is! They based a lot on an old report when my ADHD was better managed, rather than the situation at the time I applied (which continues). Said that because I'm doing a PhD, I can manage complex financial decisions! Also seemed to downgrade based on coping strategies. They said my ADHD was well treated (based on old report) but in the MR commented that I hadn't had a medication review! I'm just waiting for a date. I applied for PIP early in March. I've sent a 5000 word statement complete with academic references for the tribunal. 

gail57

I had a letter from pip on 26th of December saying they've had all information and they will write to me with a decision. How long will that be?

poppy123456

gail57 said:

I had a letter from pip on 26th of December saying they've had all information and they will write to me with a decision. How long will that be?

You received post on Boxing day . There's no timescales from that point. It will be anything up to 12 weeks after the report was returned.

letsdothisx

So glad I found this. I’ve just had up refused sent load of evidence. The report was contradictory. 

Did MR still 0! 

Now I’m worried about tribunal, as a big part ADHD is not being able to express yourself properly. I wrote my MR in great detail quoted the law etc, I phoned pip today, apparently they’ve missed vital info for tribunal! Ooops