Pip mandatory reconsideration-2 points

dcems

I applied for PIP in Feb this year at the advice of my gp.
I suffer from incontinence, anxiety, panic attacks, depression with self harm, and also issues swallowing so eat limited foods.
When i applied for PIP i intially got nil points and following advice from here and other forums i put in for my mandatory reconsideration.
The dreaded brown envelope arrived on my mat this morning and they have given me 2 points for having to use aids(pads) for my incontinence and that is all.
Although they recognise ive been signed off work for extended periods due to anxiety they dont feel it affects me the majority of the time because i am back at work.
I dont socialise and im just holding onto my job. I feel im penalised because im trying to carry on working.

i argued i needed help with taking nutrition because of my swallowing and choking issues which is taking over my life but they said theres not enough evidence.

i feel mental health issues arent taken seriously and i feel very sad that all my problems have been played down.

should i now go to tribunal? My gp didnt want to write another letter as she feels they should ask for the medical information. I was hoping to see someone for an assessment because maybe they can see im a nervous wreck.

Im feeling really quite low and tearful.

colin13

unfortunatley they dont care

Mrs_Ryan

I'm fighting the exact same battle. I too have choking issues and food phobias but I can't get them to take me seriously. I'm on 6 points including 2 points for needing an aid or appliance to prepare food (and I suspect that was only because I showed the assessor a fresh burn on my hand from attempting to use the kettle) but they've said to me that because I can hold a knife and fork I have no issues with eating! I'm currently appealing at the moment- see my other thread. I have evidence from my psychiatrist and psychologist which they've ignored. It seems from my experience anyway that if you're only under your GP for mental health problems they dismiss it as 'mild' which is wrong :mad: I didn't get any points on my first claim and it seems they didn't take me seriously until I told them I was under two mental health professionals :mad:
As to appealing that's up to you but I would say go for it.
Best of luck x

pmlindyloo

So which descriptors do you feel that you meet?

In order to be assessed as meeting that descriptor you have to provide evidence.

You could try keeping a diary - this needs to be detailed. When, where, what and why something happened. Describes your feelings as well.

Unfortunately they do not always ask for medical evidence so it is up to you to provide it. Ask your doctor to confirm that you meet the descriptor(s). If you are taking medication for your anxiety it is helpful if your doctor can say 'despite the medication my patient still experiences.........'

You say you need help with taking nutrition. Who helps you? describes what happens. Get the person who helps to write a letter saying when/what/why it happens.

It is not enough to say you have these medical conditions. You need to provide evidence about how they affect you.

Go to CAB/welfare advisor to get some help with your appeal.

dcems

I did provide a lot of medical evidence where my gp made it clear i have significant issues with swallowing. I wrote a 7 page letter detailing the issues i face and then went through all the descriptors describing how im affected.
Initally they ignored the fact i am completely incontinent using pads. It was only when i posted on the benefits forum here i was told i should have been given 2 points.

Although they recognise i have issues they dont feel i suffer them the majority of the time. I feel its harsh for them to also say as i work and my medication is low this means my issues are not debilatating enough. I had nearly 12 months off work and im only hanging on by a thread.

billywilly

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You could try keeping a diary - this needs to be detailed. When, where, what and why something happened. Describes your feelings as well......it is up to you to provide it.
Get the person who helps to write a letter saying when/what/why it happens.
Go to CAB/welfare advisor to get some help with your appeal.

Keeping a diary and having a friend write a letter in support is an interesting thought. Let's be honest anyone can write anything if they think that it will get them a benefit. I could write one for the OP!!
That type of evidence will always be viewed as being biased. It was OK when DLA was around as that was a 'self assessed' benefit. PIP is purely evidence based.There is little value to evidence concocted by the claimant/friend or family member.

It is NOT up to the claimant to produce the evidence. The DWP notes/Parliamentary Reports state that the claimant is only asked if they can supply evidence that they have to hand that is relevant. The applicant is not asked or requested to obtain any other evidence or pay for it.
It is very clear that that responsibility lies with ATOS/CAPITA in the first instance and then with the DWP if they wanted something more specific.