Need help with a pip query.

Trixter_82_

Hi, so my partner has mental health conditions, and because of these, he struggles a lot with daily tasks.  So here is what has happened: June 2021 he put in new claim, form came, he never filled them in, needed support with filling in but failed to access it.  Then Jan this year, he rang PIP enquiry line to get advice on what to do.  They said he did not have to fill in questionnaire or do a new claim and he could just do an assessment with them as it would not matter.  Today he had the assessment and my god did he struggle, he was flapping, panicking, stumbling his words.  The assessor was going way too fast for him to process what was being asked, and he felt intimidated as she was very loud.  After it he was that worked up he was physically sick.  

I feel it was unfair that he wasn't given a chance to provide written info and evidence of his conditions, yes he was late due to unforseen circumstances to get questionnaire in and they stated it was not required but I do believe written evidence is important. 

He does not know what to do for the best now and is panicking so much. 

Anyone have any advice? 

Thank you very much. 

poppy123456

It sounds like there’s a mental health marker on his claim which means they don’t have to wait for the claim form to be returned they can assess him without it. 

The assessment itself is stressful for most people, even those that don’t suffer mental health. 

It’s never too late to send supporting evidence and the best evidence you can send is your anecdotal evidence, a couple of real world examples of what happened the last time he attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to him. 

Decision waiting times are between 2-12 weeks. Once the decision is made if he’s not happy he can request the mandatory reconsideration.

Trixter_82_

Ok so does it not matter that he never got to fill out the questionnaire first? We were told that was bad, but we thought about writing up evidence and sending it in, like for each activity how he struggled, what happened, who saw, helped etc. And should he send in his psychotherapy appmts as he was asked about those as well.  

Trixter_82_

Username_removed said:

There is nothing bad here. If they have proceeded without a PIP 2 a poor outcome is unlikely.

Oh I was told it was bad and he needed to complain, so as you can imagine, his nerves were shot. I've had to console him all day.  He's asleep now he's really exhausted from it.  

Trixter_82_

That explains a lot, aahh it was someone on facebook.  But when I say too fast, he has processing difficulties with verbal communication so people have to speak slowly and clearly, and she just sounded verbally loud and he struggles with loud people but we will just have to see how this plays out, and mr if need be. Stating real word descriptions of his care needs and difficulties in detail. 

poppy123456

Trixter_82_ said:

 aahh it was someone on facebook.

Oh dear. I remember i used to be in a FB group regarding benefits, it was so bad i left.