New descriptors on award

Meredithshep

So I finally read through the letter that arrived a couple of days ago, I already read the dates of the award and although the review took a year almost and my award was increased I wasn't bothered about backpay as they gave a decision date of when my review was complete.  I am however concerned with one of the descriptors given, It wouldn't change the level of the award if the descriptor I feel is more appropriate was gven instead though.

The DM decided to use descriptor 11e mobility, I have PTSD following trauma in early 2023, I also have physical disabilities that I was already getting PIP for. My assessment lasted two and a half hours and the nurse seemed to concentrate more on my mental health. I did explain that I suffer with panic attacks and that I really struggle with hospital environments, also with too many people. I did also say that I go to hospital appointments with support, sometimes I can do it and others I have had to cancel last minute due to the anxiety this causes. I also need surgery but have had to decline as the thought of being in a hospital for more time than just an appointment is overwhelming. I did not say that I cannot go out at all, I can go out if it's somewhere quiet and with someone I know. I can be with a few people at once if they do not get too close and I can go out as a passanger in a car.  I feel really uncomfortable at the descriptor given, I feel as though I should not be going out at all. The decision maker made the award on evidence provided by my consultant and my GP and also the assessors report, to be honest my review form was all over the place with short answers just saying I can't think most of the time.  

I would prefer the needs support to follow a journey descriptor, would I be really silly to ask them to change it? would you or would you put it out of your mind and just get on with things until the next review. If they change it I would still get the enhanced rate so it doesn't alter that. I have been so stressed about the review and now I'm anxious about the descriptor given.

66Mustang

I would forget about it

Just speculating but I wonder if sometimes they know you are “bad” but don’t fit a descriptor so they pick the closest one??

I once told PIP I can’t open mail due to OCD which there is no description for - they judged that I “can’t read or understand writing without support” which is not really true at all but I still could understand why I kind of deserved the points

poppy123456

A lot of people get confused with this descriptor. Unable to undertake any journey doesn't mean you can't go out at all. What it means is that on the majority of days you are unable to go out, even if with another person. Being able to go out at night doesn't count for this descriptor. The majority of days means at least 50% of the days over a 12 month period. 

You are correct, challenging the decision because you think it's the wrong descriptor when it won't change the award isn't advised because it will be wasting your time and their's and it's not really about what you prefer. It's about which one applies the majority of the time. 

Meredithshep

Thank you both, I think I understand it better now. I did feel as though I was being described as housebound or agrophobic but the 50 percent of the time does fit. I guess there are so many different issues people have and only so many descriptors that they put the one that fits your situation the best. I will try to stop overthinking it now. I do appreciate all the help and advice that people give here, I have found lots of answers to questions I had just by reading through other discussions.