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MyHappy256

How do you prove that you cannot plan a journey, for example I can't map read, I have no spacial awareness, I regularly get lost even if I follow a sat nav, people ask me what route i followed, I don't remember any road names, I have no sense of direction, have no idea which way is north, other than it is in front of me or up? When people give me directions I can't remember them and when they write directiosn down I still get lost.

Are there tests that you can do to find out what is causing it, is there a condition for it?

rubin16

We can't put words in your mouth, only you know how your condition affects you. You just need to explain in detail from start to finish what happens when you attempted the descriptor, what the consequences were and if anyone witnessed you.

Zippy1983

To prove difficulties with planning a journey for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim, you must provide detailed, specific examples of how your condition affects you most of the time. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) focuses on how your disability impacts your ability to perform tasks safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and within a reasonable timeframe. Key Evidence to Provide

• Detailed Personal Statement/Diary: Keep a diary for a week or two, documenting the specific challenges you face when planning or following a journey. This is your chance to give the DWP a true picture of your situation. Include details on:
  • Distress and Anxiety: Describe if stress, anxiety, or fear make it difficult to leave the house, how often this happens, and how it feels (e.g., panic attacks, feeling sick or disorientated).
  • Safety Risks: Mention any accidents or near misses you've had, or are likely to have, because you struggle to navigate, remember directions, or judge situations safely (e.g., crossing a road).
  • Help Needed: Explain the specific help you need, even if you don't currently get it (e.g., needing someone to physically guide you, prompt you, or deal with unexpected changes like roadworks).
  • Unfamiliar vs. Familiar Routes: Clarify if your difficulties apply to both unfamiliar and familiar journeys. It is harder to score points for familiar routes, so you must clearly explain any difficulties, such as being unable to cope with minor diversions or changes to a bus stop.
  • Impact of Fluctuating Conditions: If your condition varies, describe what a good day and a bad day look like, and how often you have bad days (the DWP assesses you on how you are most of the time).
• Supporting Evidence from Professionals:Include letters, reports, or care plans from health professionals (e.g., GP, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, support worker).
  • Ensure the evidence focuses on how your condition affects your ability to plan and follow journeys, not just your diagnosis or medication.
  • Ask them to comment on how you meet the specific PIP criteria (safely, repeatedly, etc.).
• Statements from Others: Get statements from a carer, friend, or family member who sees you regularly and can describe the help they provide or the difficulties you face. 

Key Points to Remember

• Be Specific: Instead of saying "I get lost a lot," say "I got lost three times last month when trying to go to the local shops (a familiar route) because I couldn't remember which turn to take, which led to a panic attack that lasted 30 minutes, and I had to call my sister for help".
• Aids: An ordinary SatNav or mobile phone map is generally not considered a specialist "orientation aid" by the DWP unless it is specially adapted. Focus on how you manage (or fail to manage) even with such tools, or how they aren't enough when faced with unexpected changes.
• Don't Delay: Send in your PIP form by the deadline. You can send additional evidence later, but inform the DWP that more information will follow. 

You can find more detailed help on filling in the form, including information on the "planning and following journeys" activity, from organisations like Citizens Advice or Scope. 

Trevor_PIP

A tough and confusing area of a PIP claim. Planning and Following Journeys is considered the Mental Health part of Mobility, so you will need professional evidence from specialists I would think, especially with the current Governmental issues with the Mobility area unfortunately.

Zippy1983

This has got me questioning about flying to Turkey in 2027 as I’ve got points for journey. I’m not due for assessment until that same year, I’m already scared and worried about it to say the least. I barely leave the flat as it is.

Trevor_PIP

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085932#Comment_1085932

Completely different, you are going on holiday which you are allowed to as a PIP claimant and that holiday is pre planned, you have had no input but to getting to an airport and no doubt you are going with someone else. I would stop worrying about it!

Zippy1983

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085939#Comment_1085939

In all honesty Trevor I’m going on my own as I’ve no partner, no family and no friends. Tui have been great organising everything at there end with airports at either end and the hotel itself. I’ve got to just organise trains, hotel and a taxi back from the airport - which is still a lot of planning and organising or roots and following instructions. I’m fortunate to be flying from Manchester so I kind of know where I’m going and how to get there blindfolded, but that’s easier said than done since my mental & physical health has vastly declined since I last went abroad six years ago.

Chris75_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085970#Comment_1085970

I wonder if all the anxiety and stress is worth the effort, Zippy? Personally speaking, I just couldn't be annoyed with all the hassle. Would a caravan by the sea for a week not be more therapeutic?

Zippy1983

To be honest Chris this is the quandary and argument I have with myself on a daily basis.

I want to work on my confidence to get me out of the house more with the long term being Antalya. I’m working with an Area Coordinator on setting out goals and what I want to achieve.

Two short to medium targets are :-

To head back to the lakes, stay in a hotel in a place I know and spend a few days travelling up and down by bus all the while using the train to get to and from there.

Another target is to book a hotel in Montrose to head to where my Ancestors are from and to visit my families grave on Rossie Island, the ones out in Fern are to far out by Taxi to visit. The six to seven hour train ride with one change is crazy, with all journeys I would book help to get on and off the train which you can do via an app and also buy a disabled railcard.

MyHappy256

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085887#Comment_1085887

Wow Zippy thank you, that's very useful. I got nil points, but I didn't explain it in any detail.

Trevor_PIP

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085970#Comment_1085970

Still not an issue, treat this as one of your PIP good days!

Zippy1983

Absolutely Trevor,

I am nervous but excited that I’m going abroad for the first time on my own and who knows it could be a regular thing. My late Grandfather who I am very much alike travelled abroad on his own. That’s why I always say I’m more akin to my Scottish Ancestors.

Jane315STARX

The reason I got turned down for pip was because I told them I took my son on his very first holiday abroad.I thought it was better to be honest as I do struggle with journeys and planning.And this was hugely stressful.In the end I had to go through the long process of mandatory reconsideration

Chris75_

Easy for me to say, but i wouldn't go far out of my way to visit Montrose! Same with Brechin.

The Angus Glens are great walking locations, I remember being snowed in at 15 below in Glen Doll one Hogmanay, and having no choice but to seek shelter in the Clova Hotel! ( The public bar). I witnessed the local Bobby being helped back into his Land Rover, after one or two refreshments. (I bet that doesn't happen today).