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Ref: Assessors Report
re: Personal Independence Payment
DearSir/Madam, I was interviewed via telephone call on 14th October 2022 by a representative of your appointed assessors, CAPITA. This interview was tape recorded at my request. I was duly provided with a copy of the tape recorded interview.
On Thursday 3rd November 2022 I received a copy of the assessors report. I subsequently reviewed the report in conjunction with my PIP application form and the taped interview recording. I was extremely concerned about two descriptors,
A) Q9 Engaging with other people face to face.
The assessor scored me at c). I totally disagree with this interpretation. I would ask you review my answer on the application form and listen to what I said on tape. I believe I should have been assessed at d) cannot engage with other people due to such engagement causing me overwhelming psychological distress.
Q13 Planning and following Journeys. The assessor scored me at e). “Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming unnecessary psychological distress to the claimant”.
Please read my answer on the claim form. I respectfully request I be scored at f) I also request you listen to my answer on tape. On my Claim form I wrote about getting overwhelmed by psychological distress and explained clearly that I need someone with me on journeys. My GP records will highlight several instances where I was out alone, suffered a severe panic attack and was hospitalised after fainting in public places during these attacks. These episodes occurred on a number of occasions. Whilst I did state during interview that I do not leave the house unless I have to, there are clearly occasions when I do need to undertake journeys. In the last week alone I had to be taken to a hospital appointment and to the GP surgery.
My consultant Phychiatrist has provided a written report, which fully backs up my answers in so much as I cannot engage with other people due to such engagement causing me overwhelming psychological distress and that I get overwhelmed by psychological distress and need someone with me in order to undertake journeys.
I would also like to make reference to the below case law, which you will of course be familiar with. I believe I fall within the scope of this case law.
Judicial Summary
Reported as [2018] AACR 12 the full decision is in [2018] AACR 12ws
Personal Independence Payment – mobility activity 1 – ability to follow the route of a journey without another person – whether a need to be accompanied to avoid overwhelming psychological distress is relevant
The Upper Tribunal had before it three appeals concerning the mobility descriptors of personal independence payment. In the first case, the claimant had been found to be unable to undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming distress to him (descriptor 1(e)) but appealed on the ground that the overwhelming distress he would suffer if he went out meant that he also could not follow the route of a familiar journey without another person (descriptor 1(f))
I fully intend to appeal on these grounds should you find in favour of the assessor.
Yours sincerely
Can you offer any advice and have I addressed this correctly?
martin8966 said: Q13 Planning and following Journeys. The assessor scored me at e). “Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming unnecessary psychological distress to the claimant”. Please read my answer on the claim form. I respectfully request I be scored at f) I also request you listen to my answer on tape. On my Claim form I wrote about getting overwhelmed by psychological distress and explained clearly that I need someone with me on journeys. My GP records will highlight several instances where I was out alone, suffered a severe panic attack and was hospitalised after fainting in public places during these attacks. These episodes occurred on a number of occasions. Whilst I did state during interview that I do not leave the house unless I have to, there are clearly occasions when I do need to undertake journeys. In the last week alone I had to be taken to a hospital appointment and to the GP surgery.
martin8966 said: Whilst I did state during interview that I do not leave the house unless I have to, there are clearly occasions when I do need to undertake journeys. In the last week alone I had to be taken to a hospital appointment and to the GP surgery.
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