Pip Mobility Descriptors, and depression and anxiety

scared

Hi

If you only go out once or twice a month and with someone because of anxiety and depression and you can't go on buses etc what descriptor would you satisfy? I stay at home most of the time. The descriptors for mobility are really confusing me.

many thanks in advance

scared

Also would I satisfy descriptors for 9 (d)? Engaging with other people face to face. I have 1 friend I see once a month he usually comes to my house if he is with other people I never say anything the whole time I'm there and I feel very anxious. I barely leave my house and when I do it has to be with someone I can't go out on my own. I'm scared of going out and seeing other people. Would I satisfy that descriptor also? I've already sent off my forms but its been a long time and I'm just stressing and seeing what to expect my results from PIP will be. Thank you

mikehughescq

Mobility activity 1 is what you’re looking at. See https://pipinfo.net/activities/planning-and-following-journeys. The question is about whether you do any of those things reliably.

As regards social engagement you sound like you’re well on your way to points for 9. See https://pipinfo.net/activities/engaging-with-other-people-face-to-face

scared

@mikehughescq thank you for your reply. So for activity 9 social engagement, you're saying I should get 8 points? And sorry I didn't question it right, I meant for activity 1 for mobility how many points should I expect to get? Just incase I have to appeal. Also I'm not sure how I'm able to prove it I sent them a copy of my medical records for anxiety and depression but no where in it does it say for example I need prompting to get dressed etc. But it does say about me not going out in it.

Thanks again in advance for your kind help

mikehughescq

More likely 4.

scared

mikehughescq said:

More likely 4.

Is that 4 points for engaging face to face?

How many points should I expect to get for mobility section 1 aswell?

Thanks 

mikehughescq

Yes 4 for engaging based on what you’ve said. Impossible to say re: mobility given the relatively small amount of info in your original post.

scared

Thanks for your replies Mike I really appreciate it. This is the last thing now I will tell you below what I put and see how many points you think I would get.

I put I can never go out on my own because I become very anxious and I never go to a shop or bank or bus on my own. If I do go out its with my parents and if I can get away with going out I will (my mum will go for me). If I go out for a walk with my parents I feel anxious and feel like people are looking at me. I become hot and sweaty and get pins and needles etc.

Thank you

mikehughescq

Okay, so, for me there is no evidence there at all and that would be zero points. 

Your paragraph is a series of assertions with no real world example at all. It contains no actual evidence. Anyone can say they can’t go out on their own. It only becomes evidence when you cite an actual example of an incident when you tried to do exactly that age detail the when, where, who, what happened etc.

Feeling “anxious” doesn’t say anything at all. Anxiety manifests in different ways for different people. How does it manifest for you? You’ve not said beyond becoming hot and sweaty and getting pins and needles. A DWP decision maker looks at that and asks how that would stop you going out by yourself and in the absence of a detailed example likely concludes that it doesn’t. 

You haven’t dealt with anything related to the descriptor in terms of what you can or can’t do reliably and you’ve not addressed planning v following and familiar v unfamiliar. 

That I think is where you currently stand.

scared

I didn't think I would have to put examples. I thought the evidence was me attaching my doctors record. On my doctors record the nurse explains I don't go out a lot on there. For every question I didn't give examples I just said what I can and can't do. Does this mean I won't get anything then? Its been 3 months since I applied and heard nothing yet. Can I not change it or will that make my process even longer. Thanks again

scared

Think I messed it all up

mikehughescq

It means you’ve made some assertions without supporting evidence. How that is viewed depends on the nature of other evidence submitted. All evidence is evidence. Your GP records are largely repeating what you said to your GP. They add credibility but they don’t bind anyone to follow what your GP said. As no decision has been made as yet you can easily add real world examples for every activity. 

scared

Thank you very much. I just have one more question now because I feel disappointed in myself been waiting all this time thinking I done it right. For example the eating and drinking section or taking nutrition, I didn't put examples. All I put was along the lines of:    My mum persuades me to eat everyday. I have such low mood I don't feel hungry and I have no motivation to do it because of my depression. If my mum doesn't make my food I wouldn't have anything. If my friend comes to see me I can't eat or drink because my anxiety is bad. 

In your opinion what would that score? I thought I would have scored 4 points under 2.d Needs prompting to to be able to take nutrition. Thats the last question I promise and I really appreciate all the help you've given me.

mikehughescq

It’s 4 or nothing. No other options. Hard to call as to what it would actually score but again lack of detail and examples is the things so likely nil. So, okay, you need prompting but give examples. For example, think of a recent occasion where you have need prompting to eat anything. How many consecutive meal times did that go on for? Was it prompting to start eating and then you just did or was there further prompting once you’d started in order to keep you eating. What evasive tactics do you use? What’s the longest you’ve actually had nothing to eat? Basic description o is again missing. Are you just asserting that if your Mum wasn’t involved you’d not eat or do you have an actual real world example?

scared

Thanks a lot Mike. I guess I'll get my mum to call pip tomorrow about how to send off more detail to my form. Guess I'll write them on pieces of paper and just post it to them. Thank you for your help 

Leigh14

I’ve done very similar to you @scared , didn’t give as much information etc as Mike is saying. I shall just say it all to the assessor, as I’m sure it must be allowed.

saversam

Hi i,m pretty much in the same situation.  Sent my form in, happy with what i,d said. Then started reading Mike,s posts & realized I had,nt given enough details.  So typed up more details, with the intention of sending it in as additional information,  But with input from the guys on here realised i,d left it too late. But as Mike & woodbine said I should be able to say it on the day of assessment,  which is tomorrow.  So i,ll post tomorrow afterwards & hopefully be able to put your minds at rest

Leigh14

saversam said:

Hi i,m pretty much in the same situation.  Sent my form in, happy with what i,d said. Then started reading Mike,s posts & realized I had,nt given enough details.  So typed up more details, with the intention of sending it in as additional information,  But with input from the guys on here realised i,d left it too late. But as Mike & woodbine said I should be able to say it on the day of assessment,  which is tomorrow.  So i,ll post tomorrow afterwards & hopefully be able to put your minds at rest

Good luck for tomorrow.

Cher_Inactive

@saversam and @Leigh14 Good luck with your assessments.  The need to include detailed examples of how my impairment impacted my ability to carry out the PIP activities was something I didn't know either before joining this community, so please be assured you aren't alone in that.  I'm glad Mike and Woodbine were able to help and we'll be rooting for you.  Please let us know how you get on.

Also, @scared - I just wanted to check that you were getting sufficient support with your mental health.  I can see you have a GP and nurse involved but do you feel you'd benefit from any other services?  

Leigh14

Thankyou @Cher_Scope. The information here is great, and I’ve read so many supportive posts. I’ve written everything down, then crossed it out for fear it’s not enough, or even too much. Going to have a cuppa now, and start over🤦🏼‍♀️

saversam

Leigh14 & Cher Scope thank you very much. I,ll pleased when over! 

Caz_Alumni

Just wanted to add my good luck wishes for your assessment tomorrow @saversam.

If you get chance, and also if feel like it afterwards, then do pop back to let us know how you got on.

saversam

Thank you Caz that,s very thoughtful of you. Yes I will of course let you know how i,ve got on. Speak tomorrow 

buffy6956

Did you get awarded pip in the end (this is a question for scared) 

saversam

buffy6956 said:

Did you get awarded pip in the end (this is a question for scared) 

I was awarded standard on both daily and mobility 

Emilyb81

@scared how is it going? Have you heard back from them yet? 😊🤞👍