Assessment report for pip

Whiterose

Hi I hope all is well with everyone. I would just like some advice regarding my pip assessment report.
On a whole I am happy with the report, my only issue is that I received 0 points for planning and following a journey. On my previous pip claim I scored 4 points for this. The assessor's explanation for this was that I am not on any anxiety medication. This is not true as I have been on pregabilin for the last 5 years. This is well known for being prescribed to people who suffer genralised anxiety disorder which is what my psychiatrist diagnosed me with. Moreover my pregabilin has recently been increased to 300mg morning and night.
Am I entitled to ask for a mandatory reconsideration and take it to the tribunal if needs be?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 

Thanks

Whiterose

poppy123456

Hi,

If you disagree with the decision then yes you can ask for the MR and Tribunal if that fails and most do.

Scoring points in following and planning a journey will totally depend on how your conditions affect you and no one can advise the risks to your current award if any by asking for the MR. They do look at the whole award again.

I'd advise you to contact your local welfare rights or law centre for face to face advice.

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poppy123456

Some GP's will refuse to write a letter of support for a benefits claim, those that do will most likely charge you. A letter from a GP isn't the best evidence to send because very rarely does a GP know exactly how your conditions affect you. They will only be able to tell them the basics like diagnosis and medication.

There's no charge to have digital copies of your medical records.

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Whiterose

Appollo14lmp will a leaflet from my anxiety medication and a diagnosis report confirming my generalised anxiety disorder be enough for dwp to change the decision?
I can't understand why they have taken away my 4 points for planning and following a journey as my anxiety has worsened. Furthermore I stated I suffered from panic attacks whenever I leave the house which is only for appointments. The pip assessor said that I stated I don't have them all the time this is a blatant lie.
I have also read something in the news regarding eligibility for points in following and planning a journey for people with mental health.
Also do you know what exactly is the mental state examination? 

poppy123456

@Whiterose leaflets are not classed as evidence because they don't prove anything. The evidence you need is something that shows how your conditions affect you, everyone is affected differently by all those conditions and you never get 2 people the same.

poppy123456

Yes they did change the wording on some of the following and planning a journey descriptor but you can only score those points if the descriptor applies to you. Face to face advice is needed here.

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Yadnad

apollo14lmp said:

I had issues over my MH had been examined the day before assessment by an Atos physio - who said I had no mental health injury. I showed the DWP the evidence got a changed score and money restored - reported the lying Atos physio to the HCPC such is the evidence she could be is a bit of trouble should we say.

I had similar. I have another DWP benefit for life entirely because of the limitations I have as regards my mental health caused by a brain injury.
Yet the assessor came up with 14 reasons why I don't have any mental health issues 
Guess who the DWP believed? The assessor! After that I gave up - much like pushing water uphill.
 

poppy123456

As you didn't previously have a mobility award what you need to think about is are you able to score enough of points for an award?  I realise you're concerned because they took those points away from you but that's not what you need to concentrate on here. You need to concentrate on which descriptor you think applies and your reasons why.

PIPQuestions

If your only issue is not scoring points for following a journey, and it does not sound like you have mobility problems, honestly I would just leave it. The 4 points you might get back will not get you mobility and does not count towards daily living. It would have literally zero effect on your benefit.

It sucks the assessor lied, but it does not sound like it's hurt your benefit at all. I would just drop it as it would make no difference and hope you get a better assessor next time.

Unless you think you should have scored more than 4 points this time, in which case disregard the above and try and go for the 8 (?) points for standard mobility but if it's just for the original 4 points back then I wouldn't waste my time risking the living portion of it.

Yadnad

I sometimes wonder that if you don't appeal against something that you know is wrong, would it affect the next assessment? Would the DWP case manager have in mind that as no objection was raised last time why then should it be different at a later date.

Likewise if you don't look at your whole problems and just concentrate on those that you know should get you at least 8 points when filling out the claim form, would that also be held against you next time round?

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Whiterose

Pipquestions I scored 10 for moving around. I have been diagnosed with depression hearing voices and generalised anxiety disorder. I take pregabilin for anxiety which has recently been increased. The assessor claimed I do not take medication for anxiety.

Yadnad

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions I scored 10 for moving around. I have been diagnosed with depression hearing voices and generalised anxiety disorder. I take pregabilin for anxiety which has recently been increased. The assessor claimed I do not take medication for anxiety.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/pregabalin/

PIPQuestions

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions I scored 10 for moving around. I have been diagnosed with depression hearing voices and generalised anxiety disorder. I take pregabilin for anxiety which has recently been increased. The assessor claimed I do not take medication for anxiety.

So you have mobility issues ? Apologies , didn't sound like it from your op. In that case definitely appeal as 4 points is the difference between standard and enhanced.

This is because pregabilin is generally used for pain and I think epilsepys and not anxiety. I think a lot of people don't realise it actually helps with anxiety because it's rare it's used for it. All you can really do is mention it is used for anxiety and that's why you have it prescribed, and if possible get a confirmation letter from your Dr stating this aswell.

Yadnad

PIPQuestions said:

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions I scored 10 for moving around. I have been diagnosed with depression hearing voices and generalised anxiety disorder. I take pregabilin for anxiety which has recently been increased. The assessor claimed I do not take medication for anxiety.

So you have mobility issues ? Apologies , didn't sound like it from your op. In that case definitely appeal as 4 points is the difference between standard and enhanced.

This is because pregabilin is generally used for pain and I think epilsepys and not anxiety. I think a lot of people don't realise it actually helps with anxiety because it's rare it's used for it. All you can really do is mention it is used for anxiety and that's why you have it prescribed, and if possible get a confirmation letter from your Dr stating this aswell.

The link I gave above comes from the NHS and it clearly shows that it is used for anxiety amongst other issues.
For them to state that in a report to the DWP shows that they have little knowledge.
Mind you, not rocking in a chair, salivating, having eye contact, not sweating, etc are also signs of not actually suffering from any mental illness.

Whiterose

Pipquestions will it help to send the leaflet that comes inside the box of pregabilin?

poppy123456

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions will it help to send the leaflet that comes inside the box of pregabilin?

No, i'm afraid not. A leaflet about the medication you take will not help a PIP claim. You need evidence that proves how your conditions affect you and not any leaflets because they're not classed as evidence.

PIPQuestions

Yadnad said:

PIPQuestions said:

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions I scored 10 for moving around. I have been diagnosed with depression hearing voices and generalised anxiety disorder. I take pregabilin for anxiety which has recently been increased. The assessor claimed I do not take medication for anxiety.

So you have mobility issues ? Apologies , didn't sound like it from your op. In that case definitely appeal as 4 points is the difference between standard and enhanced.

This is because pregabilin is generally used for pain and I think epilsepys and not anxiety. I think a lot of people don't realise it actually helps with anxiety because it's rare it's used for it. All you can really do is mention it is used for anxiety and that's why you have it prescribed, and if possible get a confirmation letter from your Dr stating this aswell.

The link I gave above comes from the NHS and it clearly shows that it is used for anxiety amongst other issues.
For them to state that in a report to the DWP shows that they have little knowledge.
Mind you, not rocking in a chair, salivating, having eye contact, not sweating, etc are also signs of not actually suffering from any mental illness.

I'm aware it can be prescribed for anxiety however it's not commonly used for that which may be why his assessor didn't know it could be used for anxiety and probably assumed it was for pain or something.

Whiterose said:

Pipquestions will it help to send the leaflet that comes inside the box of pregabilin?

As @poppy123456 said, I think this would be pointless, in addition to what (s)he said, it does not tell the DWP why you're prescribed it specifically. Telling why you're prescribed it won't really make a difference but as it will be easy for you to prove wrong and prove the assessors incompetence it may add credence to the rest of your appeal so it's probably worth arguing against that part but only in a throwaway statement and not focusing your appeal around it.

I'm on no medication for anxiety as nothing helps and/or side effects (except diazepam which my Dr refuses to give as I would need it longterm), or alcohol, LOL, and I was recently turned down with 0 points for all. I think this gave the assessor ammo and maybe made him think that I wasn't being serious re: my anxiety. So while medication doesn't really help you for PIP, I think it helps 'prove' you have said condition and aren't just making it up for benefits so I believe it's worth mentioing why you're on it at least.