PIP for depression

grrrrrrrrrowl

I have been on PIP for depression and anxiety since 2013. I have had 6 assessments and have had to appeal on every occasion. I've also won 6 appeals.

In my experience the assessments are a joke and I view them (and the mandatory reconsideration) as a step in the process of getting to the appeal. It's a sad state of affairs. Certainly do not lose hope if you get declined or get a lower award than you expected.

If you can justify the relevant points in each criteria then that's what you should convey in your medical assessment, mandatory reconsideration and appeal tribunal. I often need to contradict the reasons why they have not awarded me points in various categories despite spelling out why it applies to me. To be honest I prefer when they lie, it makes it that much easier for the tribunal.

Kirkmain

I have been on PIP for depression and anxiety since 2013. I have had 6 assessments and have had to appeal on every occasion. I've also won 6 appeals.

In my experience the assessments are a joke and I view them (and the mandatory reconsideration) as a step in the process of getting to the appeal. It's a sad state of affairs. Certainly do not lose hope if you get declined or get a lower award than you expected.

If you can justify the relevant points in each criteria then that's what you should convey in your medical assessment, mandatory reconsideration and appeal tribunal. I often need to contradict the reasons why they have not awarded me points in various categories despite spelling out why it applies to me. To be honest I prefer when they lie, it makes it that much easier for the tribunal.

Do you mind sharing how much PIP you get?

poppy12345

Kirkmain said:

simonliu79 said:

I have been on PIP for depression and anxiety since 2013. I have had 6 assessments and have had to appeal on every occasion. I've also won 6 appeals.

In my experience the assessments are a joke and I view them (and the mandatory reconsideration) as a step in the process of getting to the appeal. It's a sad state of affairs. Certainly do not lose hope if you get declined or get a lower award than you expected.

If you can justify the relevant points in each criteria then that's what you should convey in your medical assessment, mandatory reconsideration and appeal tribunal. I often need to contradict the reasons why they have not awarded me points in various categories despite spelling out why it applies to me. To be honest I prefer when they lie, it makes it that much easier for the tribunal.

Do you mind sharing how much PIP you get?

That's not going to help because PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis. As were are all affected differently by those conditions, it would be impossible to compare someone else against yourself. 

grrrrrrrrrowl

I currently get the enhanced rate for both elements (not for the whole time since 2013 though). Having been through the process so many times, it doesn't matter whether you try and persuade your assessor or not. Their opinion doesn't/shouldn't matter.

The bottom line is It matters what you say and how you fit the descriptors. They follow the descriptors to the letter in tribunals (as they should), whereas I've found the assessments and decision makers very much add in their own opinions (to the point they can contradict what you have said).

grrrrrrrrrowl

Furthermore, you'll find that the success rate (70%) for PIP appeals are very much higher than the success rate (52%) for PIP applications. That in itself shows how useless the assessors and decision makers are.

Bare in mind that it will count as a successful PIP application with any award, even if it is less than what should be awarded. And the appeals are all from applications that have been rejected (or awarded a lower rate).

With that kind of discrepancy you can't tell me that most assessors are caring and looking out for you. The numbers just don't bare that out.

Muttleythefrog

Kirkmain said:

I have been on PIP for depression and anxiety since 2013. I have had 6 assessments and have had to appeal on every occasion. I've also won 6 appeals.

In my experience the assessments are a joke and I view them (and the mandatory reconsideration) as a step in the process of getting to the appeal. It's a sad state of affairs. Certainly do not lose hope if you get declined or get a lower award than you expected.

If you can justify the relevant points in each criteria then that's what you should convey in your medical assessment, mandatory reconsideration and appeal tribunal. I often need to contradict the reasons why they have not awarded me points in various categories despite spelling out why it applies to me. To be honest I prefer when they lie, it makes it that much easier for the tribunal.

Do you mind sharing how much PIP you get?

Agree with Poppy.... although they've answered this question it doesn't really help you. There are people with depression (plus often other conditions including physical) who get every possible PIP award and for differing durations or no award at all... some will have good experiences of assessments and some bad... some will have to challenge a decision and some won't... some will even have to repeatedly go to appeal as above. Focus on yourself and the criteria and see if it makes sense for you to apply.

peteuk

Equally there are people who are clinically depressed who manage to get through (albeit with a struggle) who dont need PIP and if assessed wouldnt reach the criteria for an award of PIP.

Is depression curable, yes but not always as pointed out in various posts.  Is it manageable? Yes it is but again not always. Is it a dibilatating disease that has a massive impact on life…yes it is.

Which Is why PIP doesnt go on the diagnosis, but the effects.