Appeal planning a journey

Ruby123

Hi I wish to appeal my decision as I feel I should have got 4 points for planning a journey. I have severe anxiety with evidence and on medication have depression on high medication have high scores from Councelling for anxiety depression and ptsd. All sent with MR but came back the same. My husband takes me to appointments and has stated this on a letter. I have extreme anxiety and need to be prompted if I have to leave the house which causes me great distress and I will sometimes cancel appointments as this is too much. What other evidence could I send as I think I’ve sent well enough. What is the threshold for overwhelming psychological distress? I am struggling to understand planning a journey section b 4 points. 

calcotti

Before thinking about appealing consider whether even if you get those 4 points it will actually make any difference to your award of PIP.

Have you currently got any points for Planning and Following a Journey or for Moving Around?

If not getting 4 points will make no difference to the money you receive as you need 8 points to get the standard rate of Mobility.

Having said the above consider whether descriptor b is the appropriate descriptor.

How many days a week are you able to leave the house. Can you go out most days (on your own or accompanied) or are you unable to leave the house on most days due to distress, in which case descriptor e would apply.

If you can go out most days so e does not apply do you ever go out alone? If not why not? Is there a argument that on the majority of days you cannot follow the route of a familiar journey with being accompanied, in which case descriptor f would apply.

More information here
https://pipinfo.net/activities/planning-and-following-journeys

Ruby123

Hi yes I have 8 points for mobility already. I do believe (b) describes me. I feel I have given ample evidence already. I do not go out without anyone. My husband takes me to appointments although 90% of these are by phone. If my husband couldn’t take me I would cancel appointments. They stated because I use breathing techniques this is why I failed MR. I said I need help with my breathing as I struggle and get anxious sweaty and nauseous etc. my daughter also sent a letter stating my difficulties and stated for them to use cctv from the assessment as I was anxious. They also said I would know how to Get to my local town. 

Ruby123

I have also sent telephone consultation letters describing my anxiety and increased medications. I just don’t understand what else or what I need to do. 

poppy123456

I'm assuming you also claim PIP for physical conditions and scored 8 points in the moving around part?

Ruby123

yes that is correct 

poppy123456

An increase in medication isn't going to score anymore points. They won't check any CCTV for any evidence either.

The best thing you can do if you haven't already is to give a couple of real world incidents of what happened the last time you attempted that activity. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Have a read of this thread here because there's some good advice in there. Please take note of Mike's comments. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/87932/pip-tribunal-representation/p1

lilo2021

I have similar issues....don't leave the house alone and even then rarely. Have GAD. I only got 2 points daily living on assessment and  no change with MR.....just been through tribunal and was awarded 10 daily living and 12 mobility.  I sent doctors letter, statements of support from Mum and husband....and a statement of explaining exactly why I felt I fit the descriptors.  Has been a long painful 12 months but seems it has been worth it to get the support.