Hi guys!
I'm new here but thought I'd join to seek additional information about others experiences and advice when it comes to PIP mandatory consideration. I go into quite a lot of detail about my experience so far, I am really lost at how to proceed with this process.
For a bit of background: I am a 22yo woman who was diagnosed with BPD 5 years ago and continues to endure difficulties with my daily living & interactions with others due to the ongoing affects of my mental health condition.
I applied for PIP in March 2021, was assessed via telephone in September and had my claim rejected with 0 points awarded shortly after. DWP did not wait to receive my mental health professional's report and as such the decision was based solely on my initial form & the subsequent assessment phone call. Unfortunately, this has left me feeling rather unheard due to the letter I received. I find it hard to understand how an outcome of 0 points has been achieved based on the information I provided. For example, the assessor was advised that I use a pillbox, alarms and reminders from others in order to take my AM/PM medication correctly. Without this medication I am a significantly higher risk to myself and not well enough to attend my 4 hours of therapy a week. However 0 points were awarded and I was advised that they decided I can "manage these activities unaided."
Highlights of the decision letter include:
- You reported that you have access to kitchen knives indicating low risk
This directly contradicts the information provided about not being allowed access to painkillers due to OD risk. Additionally, I was hospitalised for 3 months this year for this reason and have been identified as "high risk" of harm to myself by my MH professionals for the last 6 years.
- You reported no hallucinations since starting your new medication in June
The medication I started taking in June was antipsychotics, with the intention to help me in this way? Also whether I am hallucinating or not does not affect my daily needs...
- You confirmed that you have worked 4 days a week indicating adequate motivation
This directly contradicts the information provided advising that I was signed off from December 2020 until July this year. I had to return due to my sick pay running out. Additionally, I was working from home, from bed, not meeting work targets and if anything this had a negative effect on if my daily needs were being met. Equally, PIP is not a work related benefit? As well as this, the assessor was advised that I had to work from a young age to spend time outside of the abusive/violent house I lived in until September 2020.
- During your telephone assessment you were able to respond to questions unprompted and you did not sound agitated, I decided you can manage these activities unaided.
My partner was unable to be present during the telephone assessment, however I was reading from notes prepared with him and my therapist over the 6 months waiting to be assessed.
I am equally perturbed by their need to repeat the phrase "you reported that your DBT appointments and mental health medication are helpful" 3 times in the short decision paragraph sent to me. Without the support that I currently receive I simply would not be able to keep myself alive, as highlighted by my 3 months spent in a psychiatric ward and crisis care support this year prior to support being put in place.
I am currently going through the process of mandatory reconsideration with a deadline of 29th October to send in my supporting evidence and letter explaining why I am challenging their decision. I had requested the full assessor's report on 8th October and again on 19th October after not receiving this. My decision letter gives minimal information and I thought I may best be able to explain once I had received this detailed version. I have still not received this letter and as such an advocacy group that is helping me will be requesting an extension for this reason.
I understand that MR has a very low success rate in comparison to the appeals process however know that this is a necessary step to take.
I have compiled my hospital discharge letters, work fit notes, professional assessments and reports from the last year or so, as well as a couple that predate this. Additionally, I have accumulated witness/family testimony from the people I live with and my partner - these explain the difficulties they have seen me face and real life examples.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how best to approach this?
Sorry for such a long post!!
Thank you so much, I hope you are all well during these difficult times.
Char
