Good cause

I have had help with this email.
I know I have posted before regarding this but this is a bit different. I am in the support group of ESA without a medical due to strong supporting medical evidence.
I will soon be subjected to PIP. My CPN and psychiatrist have written a report relating to the descriptors and have emphatically said I would suffer extreme distress and worsening of my mental problems if I do not have a paper assessment.
I have read in the PIPassessors handbook that if a claimant has limited insight into their illness or it would cause psychological distress then a paper assessment is more suitable.
I cannot face a medical. Already I am self harming more and have suicidal ideas and the process hasn't started yet. It doesn't matter who is with me I cannot cope.
I won't attend if they do try to drag me in but I want to see if I could prove good cause based on the above.
Thanks

Hi Marnie,

I'm sorry that this is all so upsetting for you

I'm afraid I cannot give you a 'hard and fast' answer as what constitutes 'good cause' is not laid down in law. This means that each Decision Maker can take their own view on this. The Handbook is guidance but it is not legislation.

A further problem is that, in your scenario, you would only be trying to show 'Good Cause' after your claim had been refused. It will be far better to complete the PIP form in detail and send in as much supporting evidence as you have (including your consultant's letter). This will give you the best chance of a decision being made without a face2face assessment.

I hope you are getting good support from your CPN as this is clearly very worrying for you.