I'd like advice if possible. I haven't got much in the way of "Medical proof". Does it matter?

Liam9529

Hi, today I reapplied for PIP after being taken off of it in 2019, I failed the assessment by being TOO comfortable, and my mum was dying, so we didn't persue it. Since she passed, I suffer from really bad anxiety and depression. I've not sought out medication because I don't trust it. I can barely keep my house clean, and every sound scares me. I'm a jumpy mess. I'm scared that they'll reject me because I haven't got much in the way of "Medical proof". Does it matter?

woodbine

@Liam9529 hi and welcome to scope, medical proof is not the be all and end all, its how your care/mobility issues fit the descriptors (as seen in link)

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

Albus_Scope

Hey there @Liam9529 and welcome to the community from me too.

As Woodbine has said, PIP is less about giving medical evidence and more about showing how your issues effect each of the PIP descriptors.  I'm just going to pop your post into the PIP category, so more people will be able to see and hopefully offer more support and advice.  I hope that's OK? 

Liam9529

Go for it

gogigi

Hi liam ,

im sorry about mum and the depression/anxiety and that youre strugglimg. On top of this youre scared theyll reject because u donr have much ‘medical proof’. I’m assuming by medical proof you mean you dont take medication so you cant provide that as proof? Correct me if im wrong.

According to the CAB, ‘PIP is based on how your condition affects you and not the condition itself or the medication you take’

 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-supporting-evidence/(this link also has examples of other evidence)

So basically it doesnt matter… there’s different proof and its not about the medicine you take. If u look at the link above it says you can ask the GP to write a letter on your struggles(you may want to use this template: https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/media/1405/pip-request-for-medical-information-sample-letter-e-w-s.docx) ,

This link here ⬇️has different ideas like a statement from a friend or carer (ive personally used this as evidence)https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/supporting-evidence-for-a-pip-claim/

Overall make sure you remind yourself its not about the medicines its how the condition affects you in terms of those PIP Descriptors. Make use of the websites above for advice (ive used them all throughout and i get pip now). If you have any other questions u can ask

OverlyAnxious

In cases like this, you really have to be prepared to go through a verbal assessment, plus potentially an MR & tribunal.

It is true that you don't need medical input to qualify for PIP.  However, it really does help for the first assessment.  I say you should go ahead with it, but don't be surprised or disappointed if you aren't awarded after the first assessment.

Liam9529

gogigi said:

Hi liam ,

im sorry about mum and the depression/anxiety and that youre strugglimg. On top of this youre scared theyll reject because u donr have much ‘medical proof’. I’m assuming by medical proof you mean you dont take medication so you cant provide that as proof? Correct me if im wrong.

According to the CAB, ‘PIP is based on how your condition affects you and not the condition itself or the medication you take’

 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-supporting-evidence/(this link also has examples of other evidence)

So basically it doesnt matter… there’s different proof and its not about the medicine you take. If u look at the link above it says you can ask the GP to write a letter on your struggles(you may want to use this template: https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/media/1405/pip-request-for-medical-information-sample-letter-e-w-s.docx) ,

This link here ⬇️has different ideas like a statement from a friend or carer (ive personally used this as evidence)https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/supporting-evidence-for-a-pip-claim/

Overall make sure you remind yourself its not about the medicines its how the condition affects you in terms of those PIP Descriptors. Make use of the websites above for advice (ive used them all throughout and i get pip now). If you have any other questions u can ask

Yeah, antidepressants etc etc. I am diagnosed autistic I'm fairly sure. Because I remember in 2007, I saw psychiatrists. I'm hoping my medical notes will help. 

Albus_Scope

Hi again @Liam9529, I'm a late diagnosed autistic and claimed PIP before my diagnosis.  It did take a tribunal to be awarded PIP, but I got there. I had no idea how to fill in the forms originally, but with the advice given, you should be ok. There's lots more info about PIP on our site here.
 But as people have said, it's less about diagnosis and more about showing how things effect you daily.  So if you can give real world examples for each of the descriptors, that'll be a very firm starting block for your claim.

Liam9529

I've written down everything, I did this for the LCWA for UC too which I claim for. So I do have history. And I THINK I have a Support Worker from my GP. I may give them a ring tomorrow. Its tiring me out Lol.