PIP Mandatory reconsideration

GardenShedTrinkets

Hi,


Just needing some advice as was declined PIP for my anxiety and OCD in a letter dated 25/03/19.


I'm finding this whole process extremely exhausting and frustrating; knew there were reasons why I never applied in the past. The other issue seems to be with me being 'high functioning' sufferer of these conditions; that is I work and need to work, even though GP to psychiatrist tell me, that people like me don't work. Even the assessor commented as such.


I was awarded 4 points; 2 for washing and bathing - due to excessive bathing of nearly a dozen showers daily and 2 points or dressing due the need to wear fresh clothing after each wash and or trip outside the home.


They've completely ignored a vast majority of my symptoms; in the decision letter they state they saw no obsessive behaviour or anything to suggest I'm not ill;

• I sat on my coat due to fear of getting contaminated - do this with therapists and work I have my chair which is cleaned and no one uses. I even clean all my equipment daily before use.
• I carried a bag full of cleaning stuff; wipes, antiseptic spray, paper toilet seats, disposable gloves.
• They mentioned I'm able to take and hold eye contact; what they don't see is that I'm constantly reminding myself to do this and socialising for periods of time is exhausting, but I put my 'normal' mask on do perform these tasks. I rehearse meetings with people, so as not to appear socially inadequate.
• No need with food/diet; if I suffer depressive episode I won't eat unless making food for my partner. I won't eat at work as it could require excessive toilet use, which triggers OCD reaction.
• The decline letter talks more about mobility than my mental health - I never went for mobility issues only mental health issues, which they've seemed to have ignored.

The CAB kindly helped with the PIP form, before I return to appeal, just want to know am I wasting my time, had a massive panic attack in the car leaving the assessment. I'm finding it difficult to explain how a condition I've 'lived' with for 20+ years, and I've successfully hidden from people has suddenly become too much to handle.


Any advice would be welcome.


Thanks in advance.

w06

None of the things that you mention would be likely to result in you being awarded 'points' for PIP. There are a series of descriptors that are what the points, and decision, is based on. Google 'PIP descriptors' and see what objectively you would award yourself, specifically using the descriptors as the assessor and decision makers have to.

Alice_Holt

PIP looks at what you can do reliably for the majority of the time.

Reliably includes doing the activity in a reasonable timescale (if you take more than twice as long than others to do a task, then you should be counted as not able to do that task reliably), and to an acceptable standard.

It's likely that OCD causes you to take much longer when doing tasks. So, I think you should carefully go through the descriptors and points (as wo6 suggests):
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

How about household budgeting?
If you need to clean toilet seats - this may mean toileting takes you longer?
Do you have OCD rituals around toileting?
As you say, needing prompting to eat (nutrition) may be needed.
Are 2 points correct for preparing food and dressing - or should more points have been awarded?

The PIP assessment guide is informative:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725533/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725533/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf
(Look at the Resources PDF @ bottom left hand corner)

A guide to PIP appeals:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

GardenShedTrinkets

Thank you all for the replies. Havne't been able to get back due to starting a new job and health reasons; I do feel that my desire to work hinders my application somewhat, all my therapists and psychiatrist state people like me don't work but I need to - compulsively.


I digress; do have a few questions/answers;


1, The decision letter was dated 25/03/19, does that mean a MR has to be back no later than 25/04/19?
2, Budgeting; can budget, do the maths and so forth, the issues are like feeding I cannot stop thinking about it to the point of illness. My partner has to reign me in. I've had panic attacks doing the household budget.
3, Bathroom rituals; was awarded 2 points, which is down to same issues as budgeting, need to be told to stop and excessive washing. If using pubic or work toilets I need to spray with disinfectant before use and then wash. I waste over 10 minutes of a 15 min break washing and over 30 mins of lunch washing when working.
4, Diet; aware what to eat to be healthy, but if don't eat it then make myself ill thinking and cursing myself for not doing it.


Fully understand mental health issues are difficult to quantify, especially in forms, but I just need a little help until more stable. I don't want to give up working as not working makes me ill. I've lived with these conditions most of my adult life, but only just come to terms with them.


Any input is welcome. Thanks.

calcotti

GardenShedTrinkets wrote: »

1, The decision letter was dated 25/03/19, does that mean a MR has to be back no later than 25/04/19?

Yes.

In respect of how your OCD affects you I have no experience of this. One issue that may be relevant is whether you are able to carry tasks out in a reasonable time or whether your OCD means you take much longer than is reasonable to complete any of the tasks (as previously suggested by Alice).

See the PIP reliability test: https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably

Alice_Holt

Late MR's can be accepted (given sensible reasons for lateness), but better to get it back by the deadline if possible.

Have you gone back to the CAB - since they helped you with the form. Can they assist you in an appeal?