Partners PIP Denied

PugThe

My partner suffers from extreme anxiety and also depression. She has been on DLA since she had to leave university at 21 (now 28) due to her illnesses which have now developed in to complete social phobia and agoraphobic tendencies. She won't leave the house without me there, has no social life, can't speak on the phone, and there is basically no chance she'll be able to work if she can't even leave the house. There are a lot more issues, but I'll leave it at that just to paint a picture.

She has had help from mental health services, but cuts meant she was discharged when she really shouldn't have been. So now she has no support at all. The questions that have come back with the ratings of 0 - 8 are totally irrelevant to her situation. Yes she can make toast and feed herself, but she can't leave the house to buy bread, or open the door for deliveries.

I'm 24 and the only income we have is what I bring home. Without the DLA which is now being stopped i'm going to have to get a second job, on top of my full time job. What is the stop gap between people who can't get PIP but also cannot work for medical reasons?

I'm at an absolute loss here. Is anyone else currently in the same situation?

Muttleythefrog

Okay. Well just to clarify.... if she can't work then the most obvious benefit suggestion is ESA.. Employment and support allowance... look into that possibility... your income may impact what monies are payable. PIP is the disabled benefit (not work related)... she's been denied it but she can ask for a reconsideration.... you have a month from date of the decision letter and obviously would advise getting together all the evidence in the case. IF reconsideration fails then can appeal to a tribunal.

Others may have other advice... but ESA may be possibility and so is pursuing this PIP claim. There's good advice on other threads including on another board (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139) and around the internet regarding claiming both benefits or challenging decisions made on them. Good luck!

Diary

PugThe wrote: »

My partner suffers from extreme anxiety and also depression. She has been on DLA since she had to leave university at 21 (now 28) due to her illnesses which have now developed in to complete social phobia and agoraphobic tendencies. She won't leave the house without me there, has no social life, can't speak on the phone, and there is basically no chance she'll be able to work if she can't even leave the house. There are a lot more issues, but I'll leave it at that just to paint a picture.

She has had help from mental health services, but cuts meant she was discharged when she really shouldn't have been. So now she has no support at all. The questions that have come back with the ratings of 0 - 8 are totally irrelevant to her situation. Yes she can make toast and feed herself, but she can't leave the house to buy bread, or open the door for deliveries.

I'm 24 and the only income we have is what I bring home. Without the DLA which is now being stopped i'm going to have to get a second job, on top of my full time job. What is the stop gap between people who can't get PIP but also cannot work for medical reasons?

I'm at an absolute loss here. Is anyone else currently in the same situation?

Given what you've said in your post ESA seems very unlikely for your girlfriend. You haven't mentioned any work history but as she's unable to leave the house working seems also unlikely. If you work fulltime and you live with your girlfriend income related ESA will not be allowed as you're expected to support her.

Have you asked for a mandatory reconsideration for the PIP decision? Did she go to the assessment or was it done at home because of her agoraphobia?

IAmWales

Have a look at the descriptors, does she score sufficient points? There's little point in pursuing the claim if she does not. When was she last under the CMHT? Medical evidence would be key to any successful claim.

ESA would be a credits only claim if she has not worked for several years.

Alice_Holt

Some helpful resources for PIP appeals:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-appeals
http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

PIP points:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
and how they should be interpreted by the assessor:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547146/pip-assessment-guide.pdf (pages 86 on and 97 on)

Mandatory Reconsideration form:
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/178163/mandatory-reconsideration-request.pdf
But do expect to take the appeal to tribunal as the DWP rarely change their decision at MR stage.
At tribunal about 65% of PIP appeals are successful.

Where is she in the appeal process?
Has she appealed? What is the date of the decision letter?
Was she awarded any points?

pmlindyloo

PugThe wrote: »

My partner suffers from extreme anxiety and also depression. She has been on DLA since she had to leave university at 21 (now 28) due to her illnesses which have now developed in to complete social phobia and agoraphobic tendencies. She won't leave the house without me there, has no social life, can't speak on the phone, and there is basically no chance she'll be able to work if she can't even leave the house. There are a lot more issues, but I'll leave it at that just to paint a picture.

She has had help from mental health services, but cuts meant she was discharged when she really shouldn't have been. So now she has no support at all. The questions that have come back with the ratings of 0 - 8 are totally irrelevant to her situation. Yes she can make toast and feed herself, but she can't leave the house to buy bread, or open the door for deliveries.

I'm 24 and the only income we have is what I bring home. Without the DLA which is now being stopped i'm going to have to get a second job, on top of my full time job. What is the stop gap between people who can't get PIP but also cannot work for medical reasons?

I'm at an absolute loss here. Is anyone else currently in the same situation?

From what you have said it is possible that she has been turned down because of lack of supporting evidence. Is she on any medication? Did she send any recent supporting medical evidence with her application?

If there was no recent supporting evidence then it may not be worth appealing the decision. However, if she visits the doctor and explains that her condition has worsened and her GP writes a letter to that effect saying that support is needed and will start when available (you get the drift) then it may be worth appealing.

To be honest if sounds as if your partner needs some medical support anyway. Being awarded PIP is not going to change her situation. It may boost your income but doesn't sound as if it will improve her quality of life.

If she can get some help with her mental health then she can always make a new application for PIP.