Hi, my name is emilyl1234! Has anyone suffered with mental health and managed to receive pip?

emilyl1234
emilyl1234 Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
edited September 2022 in PIP, DLA, and AA
Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone is able to help? 
I applied for pip 21/06/22
I had my assessment Over the phone 04/08/22 and received a copy of my assessment today. I’m not happy with the result, I feel completely manipulated and obviously wasn’t heard. The assessor absolutely twisted what I had said and also added her own version of the truth such as things I didn’t even say to her. I feel ambushed and dreading my decision. 
Has anyone suffered with mental health and managed to actually receive pip? Because what she has told me it doesn’t look like mental health counts anymore… Devastated

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 62,397 Championing
    Lots of people with mental health successfully claim PIP. Though it's not awarded based on any diagnosis. The assessment process is not for them to write down word for word what you said. It's for them to gather more evidence to support your claim. The report will then be their opinion based on everything you said in the form and what you said during the assessment.
    Once the decision is made if you're not happy you can challenge that by requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) within 1 month of the date of the decision.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    Welcome to the community @emilyl1234 :) Thank you for joining us.

    I'm also really sorry to hear that reading the assessor's report has been so upsetting for you. Many people have found themselves in the same position, so you're certainly not alone in feeling the way you do. 

    As the others have explained, you have the opportunity to challenge the decision if needed once the decision letter arrives. I hope that you don't have to wait too long for a decision.

    Do you mind me asking whether you're receiving any support for your mental health at the moment?  
  • emilyl1234
    emilyl1234 Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
    Hi, I’m on another waiting list for a therapist. First time round wasn’t successful, I can’t take any medication as I have a fear due to anxiety of choking. Unfortunately therapy has long waiting lists.. only family I have to support me at the moment and make appointments to see the doctor when I feel it’s getting worse. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,451 Championing
    Waiting lists of therapy can indeed be really long @emilyl1234 :( I hope that you're not waiting too long for an appointment!

    In the meantime, you could try looking on the Hub of Hope to see whether there are any other mental health services in your area that you could access, such as those run by charities.
    I can’t take any medication as I have a fear due to anxiety of choking
    I also struggle to swallow tablets. It feels like my throat is closing up, and I can't swallow. Does that resonate with you? I find it a little easier now, but I still have to cut them up into smaller pieces.

    Would it help if you could crush the tablet up into a powder, and eat it with something, such as a yoghurt? I did this for a while before I was able to swallow smaller pieces.

    Have you discussed with your GP the possibility of having medication in a liquid form instead? This is sometimes possible.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 174 Listener
    I have Schizophrenia and managed to get maximum PIP award so you can get it for mental health.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Thanks for sharing your experience with us @KerryBemmy. I am sure your response and lived experience will be invaluable for our community members experiencing similar things, such as @emilyl1234 :)
  • emilyl1234
    emilyl1234 Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
    Has anyone received it who has given evidence such as re prescriptions and a GP letter? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 62,397 Championing
    emilyl1234 said:
    Has anyone received it who has given evidence such as re prescriptions and a GP letter? 
    Medical evidence isn’t needed when claiming PIP. 
    A GP letter carriers very little weight because they don’t spend any time with you to know exactly how your conditions affect you. 
  • emilyl1234
    emilyl1234 Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
    Hi, does anyone know how long a reconsideration decision will take? I had a text saying up to 8 weeks but has anyone had a decision sooner than that? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 62,397 Championing
    emilyl1234 said:
    Hi, does anyone know how long a reconsideration decision will take? I had a text saying up to 8 weeks but has anyone had a decision sooner than that? 

    It's more like up to 12 weeks. Some do have decisions within a few weeks, others wait longer.

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