PIP descriptors confusion

DTyaya

Hi all 
I would like a little advice. So this is my first time applying for pip and I have my telephone assessment just over a week ago. I requested a copy of my report which I have today received and it appears that if they go with this decision I will be entitled to enhanced daily living and standard mobility. 

However, my issue is on the Following journeys section i have been marked as being ‘able to follow a journey unaided’ scoring 0 points. However, under additional notes the assessor has stated that I cannot follow an unfamiliar journey and although I can read maps a journey itself causes psychological distress leading to panic attacks. 

Would I therefore be likely to get enhanced mobility as it seems as though they may have contradicted themselves? 

Would I need to wait for full pip decision before I query this? 

Thanks in advance 

calcotti

What has the assessor suggested you should get mobility points for?

Both of the points you say are mentioned in the assessor’s notes would suggest 10 points for Following and Planning a journey.

You will need to wait for a decision and it you want to challenge it you can then request a Mandatory Reconsideration in which you could highlight the discrepancy.

DTyaya

calcotti said:

What has the assessor suggested you should get mobility points for?

Both of the points you say are mentioned in the assessor’s notes would suggest 10 points for Following and Planning a journey.

You will need to wait for a decision and it you want to challenge it you can then request a Mandatory Reconsideration in which you could highlight the discrepancy.

Thank you. 

I would get points for the moving around which I scored 10 but none for the following journeys although it is written in her report than I am unable to follow unfamiliar journeys. 

However I will take your advise on board and await the final decision. 

Alice_Holt

DTyaya said:

calcotti said:

What has the assessor suggested you should get mobility points for?

Both of the points you say are mentioned in the assessor’s notes would suggest 10 points for Following and Planning a journey.

You will need to wait for a decision and it you want to challenge it you can then request a Mandatory Reconsideration in which you could highlight the discrepancy.

Thank you. 

I would get points for the moving around which I scored 10 but none for the following journeys although it is written in her report than I am unable to follow unfamiliar journeys. 

However I will take your advise on board and await the final decision. 

       For an enhanced rate 12 points are needed, so the award of the 4 point descriptor for planning and following journeys would also suffice:
      1. Planning and following journeys.
b. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.  4 points.

   Did you score points in the DL component for needing prompting (due to depression or anxiety), or engaging with other people?   If so this would bolster any appeal.
  Did you explain on your PIP form the difficulties you have with planning and following journeys?

  I would suggest looking at the report as a whole, don't just rely on the one statement. 

  How many and what points did you get for DL?

  

pollyanna_26

OP Do follow the advice here. We had a similar situation a few years ago. I'd applied for the assessors report after my dds assessment and when it arrived it was a total work of fiction. I'd posted here but the Decision makers letter arrived within days refuting the assessors report and granting enhanced in both categories. Opposite way to you but one of the problems was travelling and planning journeys both of which caused overwhelming anxiety for my dd who could not travel alone and needed constant reassurance on any journey.

Wait for the Decision and if needed request a MR as advised. Hopefully the fact the assessor has contradicted themselves will mean all be ok if not the advice in Alices post will help you when requesting a manditory reconsideration. Good luck.

pollyx

DTyaya

Alice_Holt said:

DTyaya said:

calcotti said:

What has the assessor suggested you should get mobility points for?

Both of the points you say are mentioned in the assessor’s notes would suggest 10 points for Following and Planning a journey.

You will need to wait for a decision and it you want to challenge it you can then request a Mandatory Reconsideration in which you could highlight the discrepancy.

Thank you. 

I would get points for the moving around which I scored 10 but none for the following journeys although it is written in her report than I am unable to follow unfamiliar journeys. 

However I will take your advise on board and await the final decision. 

       For an enhanced rate 12 points are needed, so the award of the 4 point descriptor for planning and following journeys would also suffice:
      1. Planning and following journeys.
b. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.  4 points.

   Did you score points in the DL component for needing prompting (due to depression or anxiety), or engaging with other people?   If so this would bolster any appeal.
  Did you explain on your PIP form the difficulties you have with planning and following journeys?

  I would suggest looking at the report as a whole, don't just rely on the one statement. 

  How many and what points did you get for DL?

  

Yes I scored points for the DL component of needing prompting to engage with others. 

I tried my best to explain it thoroughly on the form but I think I did a better job with this on the phone. 

For DL according to the report I scored 14 points. 

Alice_Holt

DTyaya said:

Alice_Holt said:

DTyaya said:

calcotti said:

What has the assessor suggested you should get mobility points for?

Both of the points you say are mentioned in the assessor’s notes would suggest 10 points for Following and Planning a journey.

You will need to wait for a decision and it you want to challenge it you can then request a Mandatory Reconsideration in which you could highlight the discrepancy.

Thank you. 

I would get points for the moving around which I scored 10 but none for the following journeys although it is written in her report than I am unable to follow unfamiliar journeys. 

However I will take your advise on board and await the final decision. 

       For an enhanced rate 12 points are needed, so the award of the 4 point descriptor for planning and following journeys would also suffice:
      1. Planning and following journeys.
b. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.  4 points.

   Did you score points in the DL component for needing prompting (due to depression or anxiety), or engaging with other people?   If so this would bolster any appeal.
  Did you explain on your PIP form the difficulties you have with planning and following journeys?

  I would suggest looking at the report as a whole, don't just rely on the one statement. 

  How many and what points did you get for DL?

  

Yes I scored points for the DL component of needing prompting to engage with others. 

I tried my best to explain it thoroughly on the form but I think I did a better job with this on the phone. 

For DL according to the report I scored 14 points. 

       That will certainly help if you do decide to appeal, it is always useful to be able to demonstrate consistency as it makes any flaws / contradictions in the report appear unfounded.   The other useful thing will be additional evidence - this could be letters from family members / carers / friends confirming the help you need to follow an unfamiliar journey  / needing prompting.  Your medical records may be another source.

Some online resources you may find useful:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/918329/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/money-benefits-and-employment/personal-independence-payment-pip/