PIP for ADHD - anxiety

RoisinDubh_2

Hi all,

I finally got around to ringing up (I hate using the phone) and have been sent a form to apply for PIP. I'm petrified of this process, and even the phone call was incredibly stressful and difficult for me to the point I nearly had a meltdown.

I've googled around and have seen some advice from ADHD charities on the kind of things they want you to write, but I'm still feeling petrified of the phone interview - does anyone have any tips on how to stay calm and deal with it? I've read horror stories of assessors putting words in your mouth and asking leading questions. 

Also, do people usually consent to their medical records being accessed by DWP? I said no on the phone call because I felt put on the spot and wanted more time to think about it (I struggle with making decisions quickly - part of the disability!). I asked if I could change my mind later and was told yes - will I be able to do this? I'm uncomfortable with them seeing my personal medical stuff that has nothing to do with ADHD or why I'm applying. My ADHD care is through Psychiatry UK - would it be acceptable to let them only view those records? 

Would appreciate any advice!

imreadyforbed

as far as im aware you can provide the records or give permission for them to access your records with regards to your ADHD.  The decision is based on how your day to day life is affected by your illness/disability , NOT the other way round. you could have 1 or 50 problems and if they dont effect your daily life they wont award you.  If your daily life IS affected you need to describe and give examples for every single area. they add the points up and that determines if you will be awarded.  I recently completed one for my sister in law who has stage 4 cancer , but it doesnt affect her daily life, she was awarded bases on her mental health only and then at the lower rate , i appealed and she was awarded the higher rate.  i did the telephone assessment on her behalf but she had to consent to this on the phone beforhand then i completed the telephone assessment.  Whole this took about 6 months from what i can remember 

Good Luck X 

 

Spoonie_Turtle

The assessment:
Quite honestly, this sounds ridiculous but it doesn't really matter that much.  It's about 50/50 whether you get an assessor doing a decent job or whether you get one that writes fiction.  And it's nothing personal if the report didn't resemble reality.  For my own sanity I had to view it as a necessary evil, a hurdle to get over before you get to the people who are more likely to actually look at the facts and make an accurate decision.
Your assessment could feel like it goes well and the report ends up useless.
Or your assessment could feel like it goes terribly but you have an assessor actually doing their job so they make a decent report based on your form.
Or anything in between.

But ultimately the actually important thing is the form; a comprehensive and accurate form will be a good basis for challenging the decision if you need to.  If you're able to have a read, this is how it's actually assessed when people do their jobs properly: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

I would think for ADHD the reliably part would be quite important, and in a timely manner (particularly with regard to forgetting/getting distracted) - but any of the factors there could well apply to different activities.


Medical records:
They rarely look at people's records or contact your GP.  If you get one who does then wow, and they will only be interested in what's relevant.  Unfortunately it's down to us to send in all medical evidence, and if you feel the relevant part of your records would be helpful you could get a copy and send them in after your form (don't delay the form for getting hold of them).

RoisinDubh_2

Thanks so much! I'll have a read of that and hopefully get started this week. 

I've also seen some comments about assessors looking at social media and looking into your job...do they actually do that? I don't have any public social media, but I do work full time and I'm worried it will be used against me. The thing is, yes, I'm just about holding down a job, but at the expense of everything else. Absolutely everything else. I have no friends, I can't hang onto partners, I can't keep my flat clean, I have weeks on end where I barely eat because I can't get organised or motivated to cook, and then I lose loads of weight. I feel so much shame that if you looked at me, you'd think I was crushing it, but I'm really not! It's all fake! Am I right to be worried about being judged on how I come across and them assuming I'm fine when I'm not?

Spoonie_Turtle

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Thanks so much! I'll have a read of that and hopefully get started this week. 

I've also seen some comments about assessors looking at social media and looking into your job...do they actually do that? I don't have any public social media, but I do work full time and I'm worried it will be used against me. The thing is, yes, I'm just about holding down a job, but at the expense of everything else. Absolutely everything else. I have no friends, I can't hang onto partners, I can't keep my flat clean, I have weeks on end where I barely eat because I can't get organised or motivated to cook, and then I lose loads of weight. I feel so much shame that if you looked at me, you'd think I was crushing it, but I'm really not! It's all fake! Am I right to be worried about being judged on how I come across and them assuming I'm fine when I'm not?

Be aware that it can happen, but also be assured that when actually deciding against the PIP criteria it's not a problem.

You probably will have to explain how you manage to do a job and not everyday living activities, just to make sure they understand why you working doesn't automatically mean you're fine all the rest of the time.  If you have any adjustments in your job then definitely mention those.  And if you're able to identify how you're able to complete tasks at work but not at home* then do explain.  

*Loads of people are in that horrid in between, able to work but at the expense of everything else and only because of the externally imposed structure and routine.

peteuk

Consent to share your medical records will be required if at an early stage of the process (pre-assessment) if its decide they need more information.  The assessor will have no access to you medical records other than the supportive documents you send (if any) and/or anything they request from your and your Gp sends as evidence.  

RoisinDubh_2

Spoonie_Turtle said:

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Thanks so much! I'll have a read of that and hopefully get started this week. 

I've also seen some comments about assessors looking at social media and looking into your job...do they actually do that? I don't have any public social media, but I do work full time and I'm worried it will be used against me. The thing is, yes, I'm just about holding down a job, but at the expense of everything else. Absolutely everything else. I have no friends, I can't hang onto partners, I can't keep my flat clean, I have weeks on end where I barely eat because I can't get organised or motivated to cook, and then I lose loads of weight. I feel so much shame that if you looked at me, you'd think I was crushing it, but I'm really not! It's all fake! Am I right to be worried about being judged on how I come across and them assuming I'm fine when I'm not?

Be aware that it can happen, but also be assured that when actually deciding against the PIP criteria it's not a problem.

You probably will have to explain how you manage to do a job and not everyday living activities, just to make sure they understand why you working doesn't automatically mean you're fine all the rest of the time.  If you have any adjustments in your job then definitely mention those.  And if you're able to identify how you're able to complete tasks at work but not at home* then do explain.  

*Loads of people are in that horrid in between, able to work but at the expense of everything else and only because of the externally imposed structure and routine.

Yep, I do have adjustments at work, and wouldn't be able to hold down a job without them. They won't need to contact my job, right? 

That is exactly where I am - able to work because I have to work to survive, but at the expense of absolutely everything else.

RoisinDubh_2

peteuk said:

Consent to share your medical records will be required if at an early stage of the process (pre-assessment) if its decide they need more information.  The assessor will have no access to you medical records other than the supportive documents you send (if any) and/or anything they request from your and your Gp sends as evidence.  

Thanks - will I be notified of this? I guess I should ask my psychiatrist for some supportive documents confirming my diagnosis, how it affects my life, etc.?

Spoonie_Turtle

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Thanks so much! I'll have a read of that and hopefully get started this week. 

I've also seen some comments about assessors looking at social media and looking into your job...do they actually do that? I don't have any public social media, but I do work full time and I'm worried it will be used against me. The thing is, yes, I'm just about holding down a job, but at the expense of everything else. Absolutely everything else. I have no friends, I can't hang onto partners, I can't keep my flat clean, I have weeks on end where I barely eat because I can't get organised or motivated to cook, and then I lose loads of weight. I feel so much shame that if you looked at me, you'd think I was crushing it, but I'm really not! It's all fake! Am I right to be worried about being judged on how I come across and them assuming I'm fine when I'm not?

Be aware that it can happen, but also be assured that when actually deciding against the PIP criteria it's not a problem.

You probably will have to explain how you manage to do a job and not everyday living activities, just to make sure they understand why you working doesn't automatically mean you're fine all the rest of the time.  If you have any adjustments in your job then definitely mention those.  And if you're able to identify how you're able to complete tasks at work but not at home* then do explain.  

*Loads of people are in that horrid in between, able to work but at the expense of everything else and only because of the externally imposed structure and routine.

Yep, I do have adjustments at work, and wouldn't be able to hold down a job without them. They won't need to contact my job, right? 

That is exactly where I am - able to work because I have to work to survive, but at the expense of absolutely everything else.

No they won't.  But they will ask if you work, and if you don't explain your adjustments then they'll assume you can work fine without any, and then likely use that to assume that you can live just fine too (even if neither assumption is true).

But try not to worry too much about it, lots of people claim PIP and work.  Just so you know what to probably expect, that's all

Auti

Hello

I claimed PIP when I was working (moving from DLA also claimed when working) for autism effects on my life. I gave access to medical records and Dr only answered questions on my autistic life not on other issues. I also had documentary evidence of adjustments at work and evidence of how they were not working (what was agreed did not happen) and the effects on me of my coping strategies. I had a PIP home visit after speaking to someone on the phone when I got the letter for appointment somewhere and lady was nice - I was me and not the hiding me and it was written in the award that the informal observations as well as formal went towards decision of agreeing I struggled - she would prompt me on what I had written as I struggled.

 I would get as much paperwork as you can and give real life events that show where you struggled eg something happened out of routine at work and the result was you ran out of mind processing power used to mask your condition and struggled to get home and had to go to bed because you were exhausted and so on. 

I hope it all goes well for you 

ayupmeduck

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Thanks so much! I'll have a read of that and hopefully get started this week. 

I've also seen some comments about assessors looking at social media and looking into your job...do they actually do that? I don't have any public social media, but I do work full time and I'm worried it will be used against me. The thing is, yes, I'm just about holding down a job, but at the expense of everything else. Absolutely everything else. I have no friends, I can't hang onto partners, I can't keep my flat clean, I have weeks on end where I barely eat because I can't get organised or motivated to cook, and then I lose loads of weight. I feel so much shame that if you looked at me, you'd think I was crushing it, but I'm really not! It's all fake! Am I right to be worried about being judged on how I come across and them assuming I'm fine when I'm not?

No this is not what assessors do, they wouldn't have the time.

Look at your symptoms - concentration, attention, impulsiveness etc would all score for assistance or prompting. The more information you provide on the form and evidence you send it the better. They don't access your medical history/records (unless you have sent info in). Information is obtained over the phone to health professionals, a short call to claimant or a full consultation. GPs never give out information over the phone. Depending on which company your case is with a full consultant can be over the phone, video call, center or at home.