Pip info please

meggyb
meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

I have not left my house alone for four years. I am on antipsychotic drugs. I have an absolute meltdown at the thought of leaving without my carer. I have palpitations I dry wretch or am sick. Have full blown panic attacks. My CPN and therapist both say I should apply for pip and they think I qualify for the not doing a well known journey alone. Just wondering if anyone else gets pip die this thanks.

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Comments

  • Needhelpandadvice
    Needhelpandadvice Posts: 63 Empowering

    In the grand scheme of things, yes you would qualify for mobility because of that

    However, you have to deal with a PIP assessment, which is a daunting matter. You then have to deal with an interrogation, you cannot really call it a medical. You then possibly have to do a mandatory reconsideration, and possibly a tribunal.

    Those are the cold hard truth of applying for PIP, if PIP does change then it will be vouchers or catalogue etc etc, so no extra money or possibly not.

    However, I would apply as you would have medical evidence and specialists, so you have a lot in your favour.

    I would sooner paint a darker picture, than a rose tinted one, because it is better to expect the worse, and if the worse happens then you are prepared, if the best happens then it is a nice bonus.

    Good luck with applying, I thankfully had a reasonably good experience of it compared to a lot of other people.

    Hope this helps.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    thank you that’s good to know.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 3,782 Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @meggyb, welcome to the community. PIP can be stressful as a process, but many members have been pleasantly surprised too.

    It's all based on a points system and different descriptors, so it's worth reading up on them to see if you think you might score some points:

    Personal Independence Payment (PIP) points system (benefitsandwork.co.uk)

    If you do decide to apply, it's good to do a bit of research about how to write your answers to their questions. When you're writing about your conditions, give plenty of clear examples of when your conditions have affected your ability to do the descriptors. For example, things like what happened, how it happened, whether anyone witnessed it, the consequences of it.

    Lots of our members have been through the process so if you have any questions you'd be more than welcome to ask 😊 I'm sure you'd get some good advice.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,957 Championing
    edited August 29

    This descriptor is a bit unintuitive.

    If you are not able to leave your home at all on the majority of days, then you can only score 10 points as that over-rides the 12 point descriptor about not following a familiar journey.

    10 points is standard rate, with no access to Motability scheme. But does make you automatically eligible for a Blue Badge.

    If you are able to leave your home on the majority of days, with an assistant, then you can score the full 12 points.

  • dorayme
    dorayme Community member Posts: 20 Listener

    hi I don’t have a problem leaving my house I only can do it with my carer. They take me to all my medical appointments etc. just can’t leave house alone. Last time was before Covid. But not sure if it opd. My therapist said it is the fact I dry wretch panic start crying and have palpitations. I literally get hysterical the thought of going anywhere without my carer.

  • dorayme
    dorayme Community member Posts: 20 Listener

    I’m exactly the same as the original poster but I have mobility too.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    do you get pip please and do you think I would. I dry wretch too and have similar too you. I have heard it’s hard to get it for opd. How much trouble did you get getting it.

  • dorayme
    dorayme Community member Posts: 20 Listener

    no I’m in process of applying I have poor mobility too. Been in two minds about mentioning my anxiety and seeing your post I realised there were many similarities. I also sweat and shake as well as the nearly being sick.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    thank you for your reply. For four years I have never left my house alone. My partner takes me everywhere. I do go out two three times a week. But never alone so do you think I would score 12 points? My CPN seems to think so and she says she’s seen other patients of hers get it for that but there’s not much success stories online.

  • Nashota
    Nashota Community member Posts: 132 Contributor

    Hello,

    I have mixed mental and physical health conditions, I also struggle to leave my home and cannot do it on my own however, I go out once a month if that with my son's help, I have been given 10 points for it, which I'm more than happy with.

    No, I can't see you receiving 12 points for it.

    Have a look at the descriptor, I've linked it below.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#mobility-activities

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    so why won’t I get it then? You don’t know my full situation but my mental health team do and they think the complete opposite to you. I thought these forums were to give advice and encourage!


  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    OPD

     means distress related to a mental health condition or intellectual or cognitive impairment resulting in a severe anxiety state in which the symptoms are so severe that the person cannot undertake a journey without being overwhelmed. The threshold is a very high one - a claimant who, without prompting, would be left feeling anxious, worried or emotional does not meet it. 

    OPD

    may occur in conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, dementia or agoraphobia.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    And going out once a month with your son is not the same as shaking, trembling, dry wretching. Being sick having total meltdowns and having to blow into a brown paper back during a panic attack. I think you need to read up on OPD.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    I don't think anyone has advised you "won't get it" what's been advised is that because you're unable to leave your home on the majority of days because of OPD then it's likely you will only score 10 points for activity 1E. This will mean standard mobility and not Enhanced mobility.

    In this situation you will not score points for 1F.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#mobility-activities

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    no that’s not the case I can’t leave without my carer. I have not once said I can’t leave my home due to opd. I can’t leave ALONE because of opd that’s a totally different thing. I go to gp appointments, my psychotherapist, my CPN, my my psychiatrist appointments, my cancer appointments, and other things but not alone. Going out alone causes me to break down. Shake cry be sick. I came on here for advice but nobody seeems to be reading what I’m saying.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    I suggest you familiarise yourself with this before telling me I’m not entitled.


    What’s happened?

    Many people with a mental health condition have not received the mobility component of their PIP. You should receive a mobility component of PIP if:

    • Your mental health condition means you need someone with you to make unfamiliar journeys.
    • Your mental health condition means you cannot make a journey at all.

    The DWP is now reviewing all mobility component PIP claims and making payments to any claimants that have not received the money they are entitled to. These payments are known as ‘arrears’ or ‘backdated payments’.

    How do I know if I am entitled to a backdated PIP payment?

    The DWP is conducting a PIP arrears review (known as LEAP). If you or someone you care for meets one or more of the following measures, the DWP should automatically review your case and pay any PIP arrears owed.

    The DWP should review your PIP claim if:

    • You receive PIP – this includes new and existing claims
    • You are entitled to the standard rate of PIP mobility:
      • You should receive this component if you need someone to help you make an unfamiliar journey or if you cannot make a journey at all.
    • You are entitled to the enhanced rate of PIP mobility:
      • You should receive this component if you cannot make a familiar journey without having someone with you to help

    What mental health conditions are now considered for a PIP review?

    The DWP has published an updated list of the mental health conditions they believe will most likely qualify you for a PIP mobility review. The conditions are:

    • Agoraphobia
    • Anxiety and depressive disorders (depression)
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Autism
    • Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania)
    • Cognitive disorders
    • Dementia
    • Depressive disorder
    • Learning disability
    • Mood disorders
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Panic disorder
    • Personality disorder
    • Phobias
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Schizoaffective disorder
    • Schizophrenia
    • Stress reaction disorders

    If you are affected by a mental health condition not listed above, the DWP may still review your PIP claim.

    If you believe you have not been receiving the mobility component of your PIP, you have the right to a mandatory review from the DWP – this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. If you have never applied for PIP but think your mental health condition means you are now eligible, you can read our PIP mental health guide.

    What do I need to do to have my PIP claim reviewed?

    1. The DWP should write to you once they have automatically reviewed your claim, but this may take time.
    2. If you cannot wait, you can ask for a 'mandatory reconsideration’. Find out how to ask for a PIP mandatory reconsideration.

    Where can I get more help?

    You can learn more about PIP in our PIP mental health guide which explains everything you need to know from applying, to filling in the form and challenging a decision.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    I hate repeating myself but just to clarify I don’t have problems leaving my house which would score me 10. I have problems leaving ALONE which is 12 points. I have a 24/7 carer so if I needed he could take me out every day If I had appointments


  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,054 Championing

    I'm very familiar with all the PIP descriptors and the criteria but thank you.

    May I ask where you got that information from? PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis so that list you have there is misleading.

    In a previous comment you said that you are able to go out 2 or 3 times a week. PIP is about the majority of the days over a 12 month period, so at least 50% of the days and 2 or 3 days a week is not the majority of days.

  • meggyb
    meggyb Community member Posts: 22 Listener

    I could go out every day with a carer!


    that information is from a charity and is correct. I think some of you “experts” need to keep up

  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,576 Championing

    There really is no need to be rude @meggyb, everyone is trying to help you.