PIP for mental health - what to do about supporting documentation?

vitaminz

Hi, I have been struggling with my mental health recently and have to give up work due to my anxiety and depression. I have been in constant contact with my GP to discuss my problems and I’ve been referred for counselling but I’m still waiting for it. 

I decided to try to apply for PIP but I’m wondering what is best to do in terms of supporting documentation? I don’t have any formal letters or anything, should I write to my doctors and ask for a letter? Or should I not bother and let DWP contact them?

 Thanks!

marcia_

 DWP very rarely contact your GP or any consultants etc.

 its up to you to provide the evidence. You could ask your GP to write a supporting letter but they will probably charge you for it. Also send a copy of your prescription if medicated.

jodied73

Remember PIP is a disability benefit to help those with their mobility and or daily living care needs. I agree MH is a disability - provide as much supporting evidence as possible to strengthen your application. When you fill out the form, it's so important you literally spell out how the tasks effect you on a daily basis.
Also, you will have needed to have the illness, condition etc for the last 3 months minimum and will expect to be last for at least a further 9 months to be considered with your application.
Good luck 

Alice_Holt

You can ask your surgery for a copy of your medical records free of charge under the GDPR regulations. It's called a subject access request (google for more info).
Chose a relevant time period ( last 1 or 2 years etc), and request a paper copy that you can then copy and pass onto PIP.


This may help when completing the PIP form:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/?utm_source=rethink&utm_medium=landing_page&utm_campaign=mbmh

poppy12345

Letters from your GP aren't the best evidence to send because they don't spend any time with you to know exactly how your conditions affect you and they will likely charge you anyway.

kah22

Alice_Holt said:

You can ask your surgery for a copy of your medical records free of charge under the GDPR regulations. It's called a subject access request (google for more info).
Chose a relevant time period ( last 1 or 2 years etc), and request a paper copy that you can then copy and pass onto PIP.

Indeed ask for your records, they are yours but ask for them for X number of years for the surgery will have to trawl through them and that takes work hours and money

poppy12345

kah22 said:

Alice_Holt said:

You can ask your surgery for a copy of your medical records free of charge under the GDPR regulations. It's called a subject access request (google for more info).
Chose a relevant time period ( last 1 or 2 years etc), and request a paper copy that you can then copy and pass onto PIP.

Indeed ask for your records, they are yours but ask for them for X number of years for the surgery will have to trawl through them and that takes work hours and money

It doesn't cost anything to request digital copies of your medical records. There maybe a charge if you ask for paper copies.

peteuk

kah22 said:

Alice_Holt said:

You can ask your surgery for a copy of your medical records free of charge under the GDPR regulations. It's called a subject access request (google for more info).
Chose a relevant time period ( last 1 or 2 years etc), and request a paper copy that you can then copy and pass onto PIP.

Indeed ask for your records, they are yours but ask for them for X number of years for the surgery will have to trawl through them and that takes work hours and money

Most searches are done in 5 minutes, if the surgery are using an EMIS based system.

OP - be specific about what you want eg any mental heath notes during the last year.  Also ask for a medication history. Also ask for a summary printout.  This will give you your active problems as well as you Major and minor past problems.

Have you completed your pip2, if not then look at real life situations where your mental health has affected you.

Good Luck!

Muttleythefrog

Good advice above. When you complete the PIP form for the various tasks do go into detail as to how you struggle with the tasks where you suffer disablement and any help you receive...e.g. I forget to take my medication in the morning because..... my partner reminds me to take my medication otherwise I risk x. Have a clear focus on the descriptors (statements of disability that score points on each activity) that you feel apply to you when describing problems... give real world examples. Attach additional pages if necessary since the forms are big but the spaces not necessarily enough.

In terms of evidence anything you have or can get that is consistent with your claims of difficulties.... and although the benefit isn't awarded as such for conditions but rather the disabilities caused by medical conditions I do feel it important that validating diagnoses can be useful and especially if they may be queried as an underlying cause.... and I note in my assessments carried out for PIP and the out of work benefit ESA the healthcare professionals have used documented diagnosed conditions (often the wrong ones!) to justify/explain their choice of disability descriptors applying given the explanation given by me as to how those illnesses impact ability to perform various tasks.

I get PIP for MH problems including anxiety and depression... my impression is that claimants like me and possibly a bit like you can score moderately on many of the daily living activities leading to awards and possible also in the first mobility activity where going out may be difficult.

I would always work with the assumption the DWP (or their assessment company partners) will not seek any evidence other than that which you provide either in documentation or in an assessment. Some doctors or specialists may be effective in giving documentary evidence tailored to your claim without specific form request from the DWP (or their partners) but I imagine for many this won't be an effective option.

Good luck.

vitaminz

Thank you all for your great advice, I’ve asked my GP for my medical records for the last 2 years, hopefully this will help  

As a side question I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder as a young child, and this also greatly affects my daily living. I haven't seen anyone for this in about 15 years(!). I went through occupational therapy etc but in the end I'm just living with it. I have lots of proof I was diagnosed with these disabilities back then, and I will write down how it effects me, but is there even a point given I haven't seen any professionals for so long?

marcia_

vitaminz said:

Thank you all for your great advice, I’ve asked my GP for my medical records for the last 2 years, hopefully this will help  

As a side question I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder as a young child, and this also greatly affects my daily living. I haven't seen anyone for this in about 15 years(!). I went through occupational therapy etc but in the end I'm just living with it. I have lots of proof I was diagnosed with these disabilities back then, and I will write down how it effects me, but is there even a point given I haven't seen any professionals for so long?

 Definitely put it in the application. You have proof of diagnosis and ongoing treatment after so long would be unusual so that doesn't matter if it affects your life