PIP tribunal hearing yesterday, feeling really confused

chris7197

Hi  I claimed for PIP back in 2022 due to Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder that I’ve had since I was a young child, along with depression and anxiety.

My dyspraxia and SPD generally cause me issues that fall under the care component- I cannot use cutlery properly, cannot use kitchen appliances due to my clumsiness and forgetfulness, and some other things such as budgeting. I was awarded standard rate mobility due to me not going out and my anxiety, but nothing for the care component. Based on some advice from family friends I asked for a mandatory reconsideration, which failed and I then appealed it. I have since been diagnosed with ADHD which helps explain some of issues with attention and motivation , and I sent some evidence to the appeal team when I got diagnosed last year.

I finally had the hearing (phone call) and it was terrible. I felt like whatever I was saying was being twisted. For example - I have struggled with cutlery all my life and never use it, I don’t have the coordination to, say, hold something steady with a fork and cut at the same time. And I am extremely accident prone so that’s another reason. They pressed on this for a while and ended up asking if I could use the side of a fork to ‘cut’ some mashed potato? I said yes, and at the end of the call the presenting officer recommended I get 0 points because of this. 

With cooking, i struggle not only because of my clumsiness and coordination issues but what in now is caused by my ADHD - even with timers etc I’ll end the timer and end up forgetting. I was quizzed about my job as a software developer and how I manage to keep attention on that - I explained I don’t, and my manager has always called me out on playing on my phone and web browsing. No matter how I try I can’t stop myself from doing these. But my employer now understands my diagnosis and as long as I get the work done they’re happy. I also find it easier because coding is generally a passion of mine and as it’s a stimulating activity for me it’s not as bad as household things. But as I said I have always had trouble with doing things I shouldnt at work anyway The presenting officer against suggested 0 points for cooking etc because if I can get by with my job then there’s no way I can have issues at home

It got me questioning myself and whether I should have even bothered. I know the presenting officer just ‘suggests’ points but what are the chances the appeal time will look past their recommendations? They said I’ll have a decision in the post. I’m kind of resigned to the fact it’ll be unsuccessful but just want to know if anyone had a similar experience

derekjohn

hi chris 7197 ,ive just won my tribrunal case ,but yes i felt they were just ripping me apart ,and they already had the answers , when you tell them anything you have to tell them what your like on a bad day DONOT say you can do this or that ,,ive brain damage ,, i ttell them i can get out the chair without help which is true on a bad day ,i thought i lost the case no chance ,, then i get a letter ive won i was amazed ;;;

good will del