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PIP assessment report full of contractions??

Anonymous26

Hi,

I had my PIP telephone assessment not too long ago, I asked for my assessment report to be sent to me and I received it today. I've not received a decision yet so unsure how they'll look at this but I'm so confused.

For example it says in my report "She is usually unable to follow directions and undertake both a familiar and an unfamiliar journey, as she experiences anxiety, experiences poor motivation and she has difficulties coping with change due to her ASD. She will avoid going out and she prefers to have the support and reassurance from a family member to undertake any journey." Yet they ticked that I can plan and followed a journey unaided when I stated I can't go to unfamiliar places on my own and how I have panic attacks etc.

"She has difficulty budgeting and managing money because of her ASD, her level of anxiety, low mood and lack of motivation, with associated confusion and forgetfulness. She manages this with assistance and prompting from her mother. She is able to understand and complete a simple transaction independently." Yet they ticked that I can make complex budgeting decisions unaided.

I won't go through them all but the report is full of these kind of contradictions, is this something to worry about? I'm worried the decision maker will just see the ticks and not award me, but I went into so much detail in my original form and I'm so confused with all the contradictions in my assessment report. Just doing the telephone assessment caused me a great deal of stress so I feel very deflated

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Comments

poppy123456

Part of the report will contain information that you said at the assessment, what you wrote in the form and any extra evidence you sent to support your claim.

The other part of the report you'll see the activities and descriptors. Underneath there, you will see their justification for the reason why they chose that descriptor. For example, box A would indication zero points recommended in that activity.

You can use the PIP self test to add up any potential points recommended. You can transfer the dots from the report into the self test and it will add up any potential points recommended.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

Mostly they go with the report but it has been known for them to go against it. Once the decision is made if you're not happy you can request the MR.

Anonymous26

Thank you for clarifying this is all new to me, looks like they've awarded me 0 for everything! I'm not even surprised.

It says "although reassurance with engaging with unfamiliar people is reported this is indicated as only a preference" when I literally said I will not mix with people I don't not and won't go to an event with people I don't know unless I have my "safe person" with me. It also says I was able to provide a comprehensive history during the assessment... That was because I had made notes for the assessment.

For mobility it says "It is acknowledged that the HOC indicates anxiety; however the overall evidence from the assessment does not appear to meet the high threshold for overwhelming psychological distress. Although reassurance is reported for all journeys, this is indicated as being only a preference. She was able to complete this telephone assessment alone and unsupported; she engaged and responded appropriately throughout and she was able to provide a comprehensive history during the assessment. Therefore it is likely that she can reliably plan and follow a journey unaided". Which first of all, the last part... One has nothing to do with the other? And I cried on the phone explaining my travel anxiety and how I have panic attacks if I'm on my own but that doesn't count as "overwhelming psychological distress"? I don't know how they get away with this scoring system.

Sorry this is all new to me I just need a vent I guess!

Jimm_Alumni

I totally get wanting to vent about it @Anonymous26. The assessment reports can indeed be infuriating sometimes. As Poppy says, they will often go with what the report says. You do have the option of a Mandatory Reconsideration though and then a Tribunal if the Mandatory Reconsideration doesn't have a good outcome.

You could start drafting your MR now, while you have the anger to motivate you 😅 The anger of my report certainly helped me get it out the way.

Anonymous26

Thanks for your reply, it definitely isn't helping my anxiety at the moment waiting for a decision. I'll definitely be going through with a Mandatory Reconsideration.

How do I know how to start my MR? Is there a template? I haven't been given a decision yet so was going to wait until I had the decision letter