Citizens Advice helping with PIP

Eyates02

So I'm going through a process with Citzens Advice currently to try and appeal my pip decision, can't lie I'm scared about trying all over again as it's such an mental tiresome thing to do, the person helping me is really nice though she really listens and will even help write what I want to say, I've sent her the evidence I have through doctor appointments and my recent diagnosis or OCD, I'm also still waiting to do my autism diagnosis but that's scheduled for the 24th.

I'm hoping everything goes fine and I can finally relax with a outcome that'll help me future, the first time I tried PIP ended up saying the opposite of how I felt, so I'm hoping with this help it actually puts me in a better state this year. 

Anyone else had help from citizens advice?

poppy123456

Letters of a diagnosis and past doctors appointments aren't the best evidence to send. A diagnosis, it often not in dispute. Unless the evidence you send states exactly how your conditions affect you then you need to ask yourself is it going to be helpful. Even more so if you've previously been refused and sent simialar evidence.

If you haven't already given a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you then you should do this. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

The only issue with CAB is they no longer represent people at Tribunals, if it gets that far.

Eyates02

poppy123456 said:

Letters of a diagnosis and past doctors appointments aren't the best evidence to send. A diagnosis, it often not in dispute. Unless the evidence you send states exactly how your conditions affect you then you need to ask yourself is it going to be helpful. Even more so if you've previously been refused and sent simialar evidence.

If you haven't already given a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you then you should do this. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

The only issue with CAB is they no longer represent people at Tribunals, if it gets that far.

Yeah my diagnosis papers provide information about how it effects me, as well as that she'll be helping me with writing down things that affect me daily, distress, overwhelming things, social problems etc. 

poppy123456

What you should focus on is the anecdotal evidence as mentioned above.

Eyates02

poppy123456 said:

What you should focus on is the anecdotal evidence as mentioned above.

Yeah we should be goung through that tomorrow, I've given paperwork from my medical records as well which provides information about how my disabilities effect me, I've also managed to have my mother write up some words from her point of view about me as citzens advice said this will help 

Tori_Scope

Best of luck with your appeal @Eyates02 I hope that Citizens Advice are able to support you in identifying and writing down some examples in line with the descriptors to help strengthen your evidence. Please do let us know how you get on!

I'm sure other members will have experienced getting advice from Citizens Advice, so hopefully they'll find your post soon and share their own experiences.

Best wishes for your autism diagnosis, too. I hope that you're able to further understand yourself and your experiences at the end of it all!

Eyates02

woodbine said:

@Eyates02 Poppy gives excellent advice as ever, PIP is never about diagnosis, but how your daily living and/or mobility are affected, you should look at where you didn't score points and why you think you should have.

So when I do my talk tomorrow with citzens advice I should prepare a lot of personal evidence, I do have a lot of notes etc during times where I felt down, as well as when I struggled with a lot of social things, think this is what I was missing a lot when I last did my assessment because I had to explain everything to the examiner and well I struggle to say what I need to say so I didn't go into detail, but I'll be sitting down tomorrow and developing more personal evidence 

poppy123456

Eyates02 said:

woodbine said:

@Eyates02 Poppy gives excellent advice as ever, PIP is never about diagnosis, but how your daily living and/or mobility are affected, you should look at where you didn't score points and why you think you should have.

So when I do my talk tomorrow with citzens advice I should prepare a lot of personal evidence,

Please have another read of the advice that i gave above.

Eyates02

poppy123456 said:

Eyates02 said:

woodbine said:

@Eyates02 Poppy gives excellent advice as ever, PIP is never about diagnosis, but how your daily living and/or mobility are affected, you should look at where you didn't score points and why you think you should have.

So when I do my talk tomorrow with citzens advice I should prepare a lot of personal evidence,

Please have another read of the advice that i gave above.

Yeah thanks I get what you mean, I just haven't explained myself the best, but yeah I get exactly, I've checked through the points that I was given etc and understand what needs to be said differently especially with myself explaining the situation and what I can and can't do and how everything effects me during thesr different times 

L_Volunteer

Hi @Eyates02

Thanks for reaching out to us. I always appreciate how much courage it must take to reach out for support. Do you know how today went yet?

Unfortunately, I don't have experience with Citizen's Advice. However, I just wanted to respond to say I can hear that the unpredictability of the appeal may be unsettling. Please be patient with yourself and kind to yourself. 

I am really pleased to hear the person helping you is supportive but if we can also help please don't hesitate to let us know. How are you currently feeling about your recent diagnosis/OCD and waiting for your autism assessment? Please remember we are always here for you and listening to you 

Eyates02

L_Volunteer said:

Hi @Eyates02

Thanks for reaching out to us. I always appreciate how much courage it must take to reach out for support. Do you know how today went yet?

Unfortunately, I don't have experience with Citizen's Advice. However, I just wanted to respond to say I can hear that the unpredictability of the appeal may be unsettling. Please be patient with yourself and kind to yourself. 

I am really pleased to hear the person helping you is supportive but if we can also help please don't hesitate to let us know. How are you currently feeling about your recent diagnosis/OCD and waiting for your autism assessment? Please remember we are always here for you and listening to you 

Hi thank you  I'm fine good about my recent diagnosis, bit scared about my autism one but I know to just be myself, currently waiting for my medication so I haven't been sleeping great, but all in all I'm doing alright.

The call today was good she said that everything I gave her was a great amount explaining about myself as well as others point of views, so now I just have to wait for the result. I'm glad to have you all as a community it really does help to talk to soo many friendly people!

L_Volunteer

Hi @Eyates02

Thanks for your response. I am sorry to hear you are waiting for your medication and haven't been sleeping great. I hope that is fixed for you soon.

Indeed, just be yourself in your autism assessment but I know that's easier said than done. If you want to talk through your worries about your autism assessment, we are here for you.

I am glad the call today went well for you and that you provided a good amount of information. Good luck with the result!

 Please let us know how you get on. I am glad to hear you find us friendly 

Eyates02

L_Volunteer said:

Hi @Eyates02

Thanks for your response. I am sorry to hear you are waiting for your medication and haven't been sleeping great. I hope that is fixed for you soon.

Indeed, just be yourself in your autism assessment but I know that's easier said than done. If you want to talk through your worries about your autism assessment, we are here for you.

I am glad the call today went well for you and that you provided a good amount of information. Good luck with the result!

 Please let us know how you get on. I am glad to hear you find us friendly 

Thank you 😄 yeah apparently my medication is out of stock at the moment  of course that has the happen to the important one, but if in feeling a bit overwhelmed I know where to go to talk to someone 😊

L_Volunteer

Oh no! How frustrating @Eyates02. I am really sorry to hear this has happened to you. I hope they get stock soon so you can get the medication you need and sleep better. I am glad you know that if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed you know who you can talk to 

kitx

Did you check if your local council has a Welfare officer? as they could help with your appeal. Good luck!

Eyates02

kitx said:

Did you check if your local council has a Welfare officer? as they could help with your appeal. Good luck!

Yeah, everything has been sent off now just waiting for the response 

kitx

Okay, that's good - all the best!

Eyates02

kitx said:

Okay, that's good - all the best!

Thank you!

L_Volunteer

Good luck from me too @Eyates02