PIP not given for ADHD/mental health

Enduring_Rogue

I got my decision letter from PIP today, didn't get it. I am also awaiting outcome of WCA (UC50). If I am refused LCW I won't be able to cope with 35 hours a week of job searching ☹️ I have been waiting for NHS mental health support since October 24 and now told by GP it will be another 15 weeks for initial appointment with community mental health team. I am still waiting for my ADHD assessment, which could be months/years.

I am tired of dealing with everything, struggling to cope, a single parent with my son doing GCSEs this year and applying for post-16 places. I also help care for my mum. I am feeling overwhelmed. Everyday tasks are a massive struggle and my self care is virtually non existent.

Does it gets get better? Any advice welcome

Holly_Scope

Hi @Enduring_Rogue I'm really sorry about your PIP decision. Have you thought about a mandatory reconsideration? Appreciate that's likely going to

It sounds like you've got a lot going on at home looking after everyone else, but you have to look after you too. 💛

Do you have some support from friends/family? It might be worth reaching out to your GP as well whilst waiting for your support if you haven't already. They might be able to offer some short term options for support.

Please make sure you take care of yourself.

Best wishes,

Enduring_Rogue

thanks @Holly_Scope but I only scored 6 on the daily, they said I fit further descriptors but as I am not on relevant medication they couldn't award additional points. They even said the fact I am having counselling shows I can communicate well. They don't see the toll it takes from me. Because I don't neglect my mum's and my son's needs, they think I can cope.

The GP can't do anything else, mental health services in Sheffield are a joke. I am just stuck now. If I let everything fall apart then I would get help it seems, but I don't want to do that. I am penalised for my efforts in trying to get well. My counsellor I pay £28 a week for is a trainee. It helps but it is hard work.

If I don't get LCW they will just have to sanction me, I have had enough.

My family are supportive, but we all have similar issues, ADHD is genetic after all. At 52 I have struggled for decades, burnt out many times. Menopause made everything come to a head. C-PTSD from domestic abuse rumbles on. If only all this "support" the government talks about actually existed, I might not be in this mess.

I am feeling low today, tomorrow may be different 🤞

Holly_Scope

@Enduring_Rogue that's rather presumptuous to assume that because your in therapy means you can communicate well. I'm in therapy, and that is not always the case! I'm really surprised they've taken that view.

I can completely empathise with why your feeling this way. You seem so strong to manage all of this. Please try and take some time for you today. Even if it's something small that makes you feel happier. 💛

If you need some inspiration, check out this post. Emotional Wellness Week! 💜 - Page 2 — Scope | Online Community I found it really helpful when I was doing the research and have taken onboard some of the suggestions to help feel better all round.

Enduring_Rogue

thanks again @Holly_Scope at least I have this outlet to share my feelings. It helps. It's taken a long time for me to get to this point of sharing my vulnerability and asking for help. I will have a look at the emotional wellness post.

Holly_Scope

Of course! It's so important to express these things. You've always got us here at the community. If you need anything, please just say.

I hope you start to feel better and you have a nice day. We're all in this together.

anisty

I'm surprised they didn't award you where you fit the descriptors - they should have!

Stay strong and do a mandatory reconsideration, as Holly says.

Remember that is likely to fail, simply because most do.

Then go to tribunal where your chances of success will be higher.

If you can afford to splash out £19.95, i would recommend you subscribe to Benefits and Work.

The guides on there will walk you through the whole process.

Also contact your local welfare rights team. They can represent you at tribunal and help get your evidence together and robustly presented.

Enduring_Rogue

thanks for your advice @anisty but I feel like I don't deserve it. Even if they add a few points on I still won't meet the threshold. I just can't face it at the moment. Dreading decision on my WCA now too.

Amaya_Ringo

I think you can also talk to Citizen's Advice about benefit claims, depending on what services are available in your area.

I got rejected at my first application because I was "calm" and "smiled" in my assessment. I'm autistic, I disassociate my emotions in stressful situations, but what I learned is that the assessors don't actually understand neurodiversity very well.

If you met the descriptors you should have been awarded, so it's worth appealing. The medication, like the diagnosis, is currently irrelevant to a PIP award, so not really a valid reason to deny you.

Good luck - hang in there.

Enduring_Rogue

thanks @Amaya_Ringo I think I mask my ADHD well, especially as I was academically successful. They don't understand the effort required to "appear normal". I don't think I will appeal as too far off on points. I know there are many worse off than me. It was a knock-back and the non-existant mental health services aren't helping me currently. It's not the money I wanted really (though it would help), just acknowledgement of my conditions, to know that someone believes me. Invisible disabilities are hard ☹️

I am also waiting for a decision on my WCA (UC50), which is more important to me at the moment to keep the jobcentre off my back. I avoided Restart (see my other post) and just want to break the pattern of overwhelm and burnout I have had for decades. Trying to break patterns of behaviour and ways of thinking is really tough, all while learning about my neurodiversity.

Treacle0690

Enduring-Rogue

As others have said initial claims often fail, few Mandatory Reconsiderations are successful but they pave the way for tribunals which have a near 70% success rate. The DWP sometimes contact a claimant before going to tribunal to offer a reward. Please don’t give up or believe that you don’t deserve PIP.
Angelmaker30 has done a great post on this, they started off with zero points and then won at Tribual

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/129589/my-successful-pip-appeal-what-i-learned-how-i-prepared-and-how-20-helped-me-win

Please give it a read and get all the help and support you can

Enduring_Rogue

thanks @Treacle0690 I have been looking at the PIP decision letter again this afternoon, I was too upset yesterday, and I think I will try mandatory reconsideration. The key line that winds me up the most was this:

"Higher descriptors have been considered however you have not been prescribed anxiolytic medication, and you appeared to cope with the assessor call without significant difficulty."

"While you report anxiety, there is no evidence of prescribed anxiolytic medication."

What do you think? Worth challenging ?

Enduring_Rogue

@Holly_Scope @Treacle0690 would you recommend calling to challenge decision or sending in the form?

Treacle0690

I find writing a thought out response with day to day examples is a really good way to counter their arguments. The line about not being anxious on the call is a common line they use. There is some case law which states that the tribunal should not assume that because you were able to answer questions in a specific circumstance that you are always able to do. It is worth saying that you knew you needed to do the assessment and prepared thoroughly for it. Don’t be scared to tell them how it made you feel and what effect it had on you. Screenshot from my phone for the case reference.
Good luck.

Enduring_Rogue

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/998691#Comment_998691

@treacle0690 the call I had never stated they were an assessor, he just wanted to check my contact info and clarify a couple of things on my form. He then said there would be no need for a an assessment meeting!

Enduring_Rogue

@Treacle0690 it wasn't a scheduled call, just out of the blue

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/998588#Comment_998588

If you did do am MR write it from the heart your daily struggles write everything it's an assessment write like you do to get counselling it doesn't have to be perfect with certain words just as long as you get your daily struggles how they really impact your life the masking the burnouts the self neglect and state about you getting councilling you can talk well err yh about trauma not exactly lunch date with rich and famous I know it's so so draining and they rely on people not doing MR you have alot going on so stressful don't let them win I hope you find some peace x

Enduring_Rogue

thanks @Catherine21 I appreciate your advice. I am going to call and ask for a copy of the assessment report this morning, as I never actually got an assessment! I also need to correct mistakes they made in the decision letter.

Jane315STARX

I agree with with @Catherine21 this is what I did too with my M.R.You write it from your heart.

Enduring_Rogue

I did it! I challenged the decision and called this morning after preparing everything last night and making notes. I got upset on the call and was shaking, but I think I got everything across in the 45 minute conversation. I never had an assessment before they made the decision. I corrected their mistakes and said lack of medication or referrals was not grounds to refuse descriptors as out of my control.

Thanks for encouraging me 😘@Holly_Scope @Jane315STARX @anisty @Catherine21 @Amaya_Ringo @Treacle0690

Jane315STARX

Good For you.I think you have done incredibly well and I certainly appreciate how hard it is.