Can I withdraw PIP claim before assessment?

Phoenix01

Hi everyone, I am new to all this and hoping for some advice - apologies if I am posting this in the wrong category.

I had to leave my job after a breakdown last year and I was advised to apply for ESA and PIP - it took me months to get the courage up but I finally applied a few months ago. I'm due my PIP assessment this week but I really don't think I can go through with it. A local charity helped me with the forms, as I didn't have a clue, and she emphasised the physical aspects of my health issues, such as erosive arthritis (I don't consider myself to have a disability and I was able to work despite it). However, I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety and depression, which I consider the main blight on my health - the problem is that the PTSD was caused by workplace trauma, and my work put me through a process which is just too reminiscent of the PIP assessment, including two occupational health reports, and I would have been on a disciplinary if I hadn't decided to leave (I self-harmed in work, NB in private, but they found out), first time in my life (I'm in my 50s), following being bullied, an 'informal' investigation into my behaviour, despite my exemplary record, 6 months of severe sleep deprivation (3 hours' sleep a night) and weight loss. I literally shake at the thought of it and I still cry about it every day. I just don't think I am up to this assessment and it's put me in a very bad place. Can I cancel it now? And if I become seriously (physically) ill in the future, eg if the arthritis gets disabling, can I start a fresh claim?

Phoenix01

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

You can phone PIP to cancel the claim, but I really would urge you to reconsider after all the effort you've put in to reach this point.

You could ask them to change it to a paper based assessment instead if you're really not up to doing it verbally.

If you do cancel the claim, you can put a new claim in at any time in the future. You will have to fill in the forms again.

Phoenix01

Thank you so much, the fear of it has really set me back, and I don't want to 'play up' my physical issues, which are very debilitating (I need surgery on my hand and my foot), but I manage - it's the mental symptoms which get triggered and I'm somtimes OK until I'm really, really not… I imagine others on this platform can relate to that. But, as you know, the form is really geared to physical, rather than mental, health problems.

AKR

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/913225#Comment_913225

If I were you I would continue with the claim and assessment. There is never a good time to be assessed, it is a stressful experience in itself.

If you proceed that may result in an award. If you don't proceed you definitely won't get an award. I appreciate that is stating the obvious but I still think it is a point worth making not least because the form isn't just geared toward physical problems.

Psychiatric, behavioural and cognitive problems can be as debilitating (sometimes more so) than physical problems. So, I think it is important for you to avoid the stereotype of PIP is all about physical limitations. I wouldn't be downplaying your physical issues either.

My initial PIP award (3 years) was all centred around psychiatric issues (EUPD, Bipolar and more). Physical/cognitive issues have come along since and my review resulted in a 4 year award.

Without a doubt my physical problems are exacerbated by my psychiatric/cognitive problems and vice versa.

The body is a whole entity - there is no wall between physical/psychiatric etc. The interplay between physical symptoms and psychiatric/cognitive symptoms shouldn't be underestimated.

I think you would regret it if you didn't proceed having gone to such lengths to do the form.

GoddessBast

Please bare with your PIP claim! You are clearly a very likely candidate to be awarded PIP (I'm not an expert). While you're at it, claim for unfair dismissal! Just bite the bullet, divulge your disabilities and then just wait. I've been through all of this (also in my 50's) and it's dismal. However, once you've gone through the forms, leave everything else to your advisor. I know its stressful and exhausting, I really do. Just leave everything as is. What is the worst that could happen? You don't get any benefits.....keep going. It will all end, one way or another, eventually. Don't stress, that's your advisors job. Wishing you all the best 👍

Phoenix01

Thanks so much @OverlyAnxious, @AKR and @GoddessBast - I will have another wee think about it. I just don't want to go back to that shaking, self-harming shell of myself over it all. It matters a lot that you would take the time and trouble to reply.