PIP was 2nd claim with new conditions but from 15 April 2025 new 3rd claim as advised.

poppy12345

tifo said:

@peteuk "You dont need PIP to have a blue badge, equally PIP doesnt mean you automatically get a blue badge".

I know this but it's a new one to me, every report uses a different excuse to give no points. Last time it was the driving license, this time it's that and no blue badge.

I think this blue badge reason is unfair because a blue badge is very hard to get and most councils don't assess the claimant, and once declined there's no right of appeal. It's easier with a PIP award and from what i've seen, a PIP award in mobility will guarantee a blue badge. So knowing full well i don't have a PIP award she's saying i'm able to carry out activities because i don't have a blue badge (this is across most descriptors). 

The bold part above is not true. Not every mobility award of PIP qualifies for a BB automatically. You need to score either at least 8 points in the moving around part or 10 points in following and planning a journey because you’re unable to complete any journey. 

Many local Authorities will assess if you don’t automatically qualify. My daughter had an assessment because her 12 points in following and planning a journey doesn’t automatically qualify her. She was then awarded the BB. 

peteuk

tifo said:

peteuk said:

Your opinion doesn’t count, sorry to be blunt!  You need to be able to back up the reason why you score 8 points.  Does your mental health stop you from leaving the house?  If it does then you’ll need the specialist input to support this.  With no specialist input for mental health and no medication, you cannot evidence needs prompting.

It's ok, be as blunt as you like!

"Does your mental health stop you from leaving the house?  If it does then you’ll need the specialist input to support this".

Yes it does and this is one of the aspects of the anxiety and OCD issues we're working on in the therapy. I guess NHS CBT talking therapy isn't 'specialist' enough for PIP but that's where i am, the counsellor has discussed psychiatrist treatment later in the process if and when she considers therapy isn't making a difference. I'm only following what those in the treatment process send me to. 

The threshold to score for this is so high, and the boundaries for needing encouragement, support and can’t go out is also so slim but so stringent.  For this there has to be consultant lead care or at least a high level of input, which at present you do not.  That is not to say the assessor disbelieved you, but to then send a report to the decision maker based on no evidence would be wrong.

CBT indicates that this is a low level of input required suggests that the diagnosis is low level and does not have a significant effect on your life.  That’s what the evidence shows, yes it can belie the actual effect, but the difference has to be reconciled and the evidence has the upper hand.    The absence of evidence is often more powerful than evidence.

Spoonie_Turtle

tifo said:

@peteuk "You dont need PIP to have a blue badge, equally PIP doesnt mean you automatically get a blue badge".

I know this but it's a new one to me, every report uses a different excuse to give no points. Last time it was the driving license, this time it's that and no blue badge.

I think this blue badge reason is unfair because a blue badge is very hard to get and most councils don't assess the claimant, and once declined there's no right of appeal. It's easier with a PIP award and from what i've seen, a PIP award in mobility will guarantee a blue badge. So knowing full well i don't have a PIP award she's saying i'm able to carry out activities because i don't have a blue badge (this is across most descriptors). 

There actually is right of appeal. 

I had my Blue Badge long before applying for PIP.  You being declined years ago and not pursuing it is evidence the assessor can point to to say things aren't that severe for you.

And a PIP award for mobility doesn't automatically entitle someone to a BB, it depends on what they scored in which of the activities.

(Edit: typed the above before seeing poppy's comment, kinda cross-posted.)


However, regardless of evident gaps in your understanding, multiple assessments including a tribunal have all consistently concluded that your physical difficulties do not reach the high threshold for PIP.  And you'd be hard pressed to argue that your mental difficulties (even if they did currently reach the threshold) will definitely continue at the same level, as you've not long started treatment so the hope there is that they will improve.

Maybe it's time to accept that even though your health issues affect your life (and they might even be disabling), they just don't reach the very high threshold to qualify for PIP.  And maybe it's time to accept that the jobcentre employee who set you on this path by recommending applying for PIP was not qualified to say you would be entitled to it.

peteuk

Spoonie_Turtle said:). 

However, regardless of evident gaps in your understanding, multiple assessments including a tribunal have all consistently concluded that your physical difficulties do not reach the high threshold for PIP.  And you'd be hard pressed to argue that your mental difficulties (even if they did currently reach the threshold) will definitely continue at the same level, as you've not long started treatment so the hope there is that they will improve.

Maybe it's time to accept that even though your health issues affect your life (and they might even be disabling), they just don't reach the very high threshold to qualify for PIP.  And maybe it's time to accept that the jobcentre employee who set you on this path by recommending applying for PIP was not qualified to say you would be entitled to it.

I would echo this, Spoonie is a well read and knowledgeable when it comes to benefits and PIP.  

I will put it another way, I am “disabled” I have two long term illnesses and previous spinal surgery which will affect me when I’m older, should I not look after them.  Yes there is additional costs to this, which is what PIP is for.  Its not to validate your disability, yes it does open other doors but if you don’t achieve a successful claim it doesn’t mean your less disabled than someone else with the same conditions.

I am, at present far from a PIP assessment,  and hope to remain so for a long time.  The Op I feel believes they are passed that threshold, however will not allow the weight of evidence to say anything different.  Three low scoring PIP assessments, say to me that at present you dont reach that threashold.   There is positive in this and the Op needs to see this, it’s not always about the payments (trust me I know how these benefit people) but take it and move forward.  All this energy you’ve put into the PIP process can be and should be used to get yourself back on track.

The person who advised you did so with good intentions, weather they said you’d be entitled to it or your perception of this, we will never know.

My advice would be put PIP to bed, move on and concerntrate on your cbt and health issues in a positive way.  If your CBT turns into a referral to a consultant or high level of care then maybe yes reapply but don’t go in with that mindset.

marcia_

 Mental health has s high bar. 

 I have epilepsy and claimed for that but got no points for long term depression & anxiety despite being on medication. It was only acknowledged and given points when i had diagnosis of EUPD & CPTSD plus being on antipsychotics AND having undertaken therapy which didn't reduce the symptoms. 

tifo

marcia_ said:

 You would not get 4 points because you can't attend a wedding without support. 4 points would indicate you needing significant support with meeting all people one on one and groups 

The wedding was just an example as has happened recently, i don't go out on one to one with people or meet people in small groups.

tifo

@Muttleythefrog "I think the driving licence issue (and now blue badge) is possibly hijacking your anxieties and assessments".

The driving license I understand they use for nearly everyone but not having a blue badge means i'm ok is one i've not heard before and it shows, to me, they're just making things up.

Without PIP it's very hard getting a blue badge.

"I don't know how to explain it but it's 'my' time when i'm away from everyone else (people) and have my own space" - this sounds like preference not disablement. It may also sound so when you describe inability to use public transport".

No, it's my OCD which stops me using public transport, or sitting on public benches, for example in town or a park, or sitting on the grass at a picnic (which i don't go to anyway for people reasons and because i'm just going to stand around). If i didn't use my car i'd be restricted in where i can go on my own as i can't be with people.

tifo

poppy12345 said:

Many local Authorities will assess if you don’t automatically qualify. My daughter had an assessment because her 12 points in following and planning a journey doesn’t automatically qualify her. She was then awarded the BB. 

This is what mine say "There is no appeal process against a decision made by us to refuse a Blue Badge. However, if you have been refused and you disagree with the decision or can provide more information which may support a successful application, you can ask us to reconsider, by submitting your request in writing within 28 days of the decision".

They didn't assess me, the refusal letter was dated the same date I applied so they just refused it.

The PIP assessor asked if i'd had a blue badge assessment and I said "no, they just turned me down". So she's using the lack of a blue badge to say "look, even the council think he's fine".

Cressida100

@tifo I think you will make yourself ill if you pursue this. Every single time someone comments on where you may be going wrong you absolutely refuse to accept it. You do not meet the strict criteria for PIP (however much you think you do). This thread is exhausting to read. 

You have had the BEST advice from so many knowledgeable people. They have loads of experience in this field. Why do you think they are ALL wrong and you are correct? 

Thisisthelife

so going forward op what do you intend to do?