PIP Reassessment

Hello. I'm on my second year of PIP and today I came home today to a nasty surprise; my reassessment is due a year early! I checked this forum and reassessment letters are being posted early to many on 3 year awards, it seems?

Anyway, I've been given a diagnosis since the first time I applied. I am also being supported by a support worker from Rethink Mental Illness and she has accompanied me to some assessments. She was at the psychiatric assessment where I was given my diagnosis.

1) Where would I get evidence of my diagnosis? From my GP? Or from the local psychological therapies team I am attending therapy and treatment with? I intend to get a statement from my support worker as she was an eye-witness.

2) It is possible that I've been misdiagnosed. How should I handle this regarding my PIP form? I believe it goes less by diagnosis as how your condition impacts upon your life?

3) My doctor printed me a copy of a letter from the psychiatrist about my mental health state [depression, anxiety, and some personal issues]. Is it a good idea to photocopy this and attach it to my form? Should I ask for photocopies of other letters from specialists like this?

4) My doctor is withholding medication because she is concerned that what she can give will adversely affect my condition. She is awaiting the outcome of therapy to reassess suitability and my long-term needs. Is it important to get evidence of this? Can this go into a GP letter?

Secondly, Rethink Mental Illness have complained officially about how long I had to wait to access psychological therapy [2 years!] and have been fighting for me to go into a high-intensity programme as they believe my condition requires that level of treatment.

5) Is it worth my support worker putting that into a letter?

6) I'm assuming it's worth getting a letter off my therapist regardless?

Lastly, I have notable difficulties with using the telephone. So I have two further questions in this area:

7) Can the Rethink support worker ring on my behalf and ask for an extension for submitting my form? Or can I do this by post? I have done so previously to notify ESA of late sick notes.
8) My home assessment provoked a worsening in my condition, as it made me feel unsafe due to personal circumstances and that I was unable to speak freely. My support worker is aware of this. Am I entitled to request any future assessment takes place in a safe area?

Thanks for reading!

Hello Gordon.

Thanks for the swift reply.

I assume that a different diagnosis will have no effect on how you describe your problems in completing each of the PIP activities.

Not at all. My first form was filled without a diagnosis, and the lady with Rethink who is helping me has the opinion that my condition has stayed the same, without any signs of improvement.

The Rethink person can ring on your behalf but you will need to be available to answer any security questions and to authorise the DWP to speak to them. I would not do this in writing as it is likely that the deadline will have passed before the DWP got back to you.

Thank you for this. She is away for two weeks starting this week Friday, but I'm seeing her this Monday so I'll see if she can fit me in as an emergency.

It is normal for face to face assessments, if required, to held either at the claimants or the Assessment Providers offices, if the former is not an option would their offices be considered safe or are you talking about a third party location?

I'm talking about a third-party location, yes. The office could be an alternative if that's not allowed, as I find my support worker's presence invaluable. It was my Rethink support worker who suggested I could ask about using her office, so I thought best to ask.