Just received PIP assessors report Mental Health Related

chelsthompson1

TW - mental health/SH

Hello, in March this year I applied for PIP for the first time as I have struggled for years with anxiety and depression which over the last year has gone from manageable to completely debilitating. I requested my assessors report after my telephone assessment, and there’s a few areas I’d like to ask for opinions on. For the majority of the areas I’ve explained I need help such as prompting to get dressed/change, prompting to eat meals, and being unable to manage my own medication due to previous overdose attempts. The assessors comments for pretty much every section say ‘considered, but looking at SOH claimant works full time so motivation is there’. What on earth does me working full time have to do anything, when in fact my anxiety got so bad I’ve been put on working from home which means me working from my phone in bed. Surely a motivation to work so I don’t have to add to my financial stress and a motivation to look after myself are different things, I even evidenced when I’ve had to take time off work this year because my mental health was so bad. The assessor also stated I didn’t seem distressed at all throughout but I spent the majority of the assessment in tears! Recounting how difficult I find day to day activities I even explained was difficult
to talk about and I felt so embarrassed and she’s omitted this completely. I feel so fed up. Has anybody else experienced this? Is it worth appealing or am I fighting a losing battle? 

chelsthompson1

TW - mental health/SH

Hello, in March this year I applied for PIP for the first time as I have struggled for years with anxiety and depression which over the last year has gone from manageable to completely debilitating. I requested my assessors report after my telephone assessment, and there’s a few areas I’d like to ask for opinions on. For the majority of the areas I’ve explained I need help such as prompting to get dressed/change, prompting to eat meals, and being unable to manage my own medication due to previous overdose attempts. The assessors comments for pretty much every section say ‘considered, but looking at SOH claimant works full time so motivation is there’. What on earth does me working full time have to do anything, when in fact my anxiety got so bad I’ve been put on working from home which means me working from my phone in bed. Surely a motivation to work so I don’t have to add to my financial stress and a motivation to look after myself are different things, I even evidenced when I’ve had to take time off work this year because my mental health was so bad. The assessor also stated I didn’t seem distressed at all throughout but I spent the majority of the assessment in tears! Recounting how difficult I find day to day activities I even explained was difficult to talk about and I felt so embarrassed and she’s omitted this completely. I feel so fed up. Has anybody else experienced this? Is it worth appealing or am I fighting a losing battle? 

poppy123456

Yes, it does happen many times. A lot of the justification reasons are copy and paste. However, if it's the assessment report you received and not the decision then the report isn't the decision. It's a recommendation.

Before making the decision the decision maker should look at all evidence you sent, including the report. While they mostly go with the report, it has been known for them to go against it.

Once the decisions been made if you're not happy you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) then Tribunal, if MR decision doesn't change.

Tori_Scope

I've just sent you an email from community@scope.org.uk @chelsthompson1, so please do keep an eye out for that