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Face to face resuming? Mobility varies
- daisychain59
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4 years 1 month ago #256670 by daisychain59
Face to face resuming? Mobility varies was created by daisychain59
I have 2 questions if anyone can help please
1) When are face to face PIP assessments to resume? I just got text today (1st March 2021) to say they had received my review form and they may have to contact me for an assessment. Really stressed. I have asked for paper based assessment for mental health reasons and have a letter from my CPN to support this.
2) With bipolar disorder obviously my moods change unpredictably. My medications cause a slight tremor and some dizziness with some falls. This affects anything involving motor control. I was awarded enhanced daily living.
In my previous application I was on an antipsychotic which caused severe dizziness, shaking and jerking such that I couldn't stand - crawled - or use keyboard or phone. It also clouded my thinking so I couldn't plan or undertake any journey. They only gave me standard mobility!
However, when I am not on antipsychotic this severity eventually lessens - takes about 5-6 months to wear off. Being manic and needing antipsychotics is unpredictable so these severe effects vary also according to my meds (I react to all). Will PIP assessment take the variabilty/unpredictableness of my needs be taken into account? ie some times the effects on my mobility are reduced but needing these meds can't be predicted.
1) When are face to face PIP assessments to resume? I just got text today (1st March 2021) to say they had received my review form and they may have to contact me for an assessment. Really stressed. I have asked for paper based assessment for mental health reasons and have a letter from my CPN to support this.
2) With bipolar disorder obviously my moods change unpredictably. My medications cause a slight tremor and some dizziness with some falls. This affects anything involving motor control. I was awarded enhanced daily living.
In my previous application I was on an antipsychotic which caused severe dizziness, shaking and jerking such that I couldn't stand - crawled - or use keyboard or phone. It also clouded my thinking so I couldn't plan or undertake any journey. They only gave me standard mobility!
However, when I am not on antipsychotic this severity eventually lessens - takes about 5-6 months to wear off. Being manic and needing antipsychotics is unpredictable so these severe effects vary also according to my meds (I react to all). Will PIP assessment take the variabilty/unpredictableness of my needs be taken into account? ie some times the effects on my mobility are reduced but needing these meds can't be predicted.
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- BIS
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4 years 1 month ago #256674 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Face to face resuming? Mobility varies
Hi J
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ
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1. There have been no government or DWP announcements when face to face assessments are going to resume. If they contact you for an assessment - it will be a telephone assessment.
2. Assessors are supposed to take note of the variability of a claimant's condition, but how well this work, depends on how a claimant has described their difficulties, additional evidence and the understanding of the assessor.
BIS
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ
My full name is showing, how can I stop it?
1. There have been no government or DWP announcements when face to face assessments are going to resume. If they contact you for an assessment - it will be a telephone assessment.
2. Assessors are supposed to take note of the variability of a claimant's condition, but how well this work, depends on how a claimant has described their difficulties, additional evidence and the understanding of the assessor.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- daisychain59
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4 years 1 month ago #256676 by daisychain59
Replied by daisychain59 on topic Face to face resuming? Mobility varies
Thankyou for the prompt reply.
The problem with the way my BP presents is the variability is SO unpredictable.
In fact I explained BP effect on me over a longer period to put it in context for me to try to show how unpredictable it is.
I may not need antipsychotics for over a year which would mean those very severe effects which affect my mobility didn't come into the last 12 months (I had a bad event last spring which I have described on my form but it didn't need antipsychotics. I have just had my mood stabilisers and an extra antidepressants with the slight effects of tremor and dizziness.
But when I have elevated mood I do need them (I have tried several and am hypersensitive to them all) with the severe effects. I take them for a few weeks to control my mood but the effects take up to 6 months to recede enough to function.
But then next week or next month I may 'flip', or maybe not till next year. It's impossible to know.
My CPN says I should claim based on how bad it can be and make it clear how it varies because I could need to inform them of changes on an impractical time frame/regularity. But I don't want to be perceived as dishonest or claiming fraudulently. Especially mobility with changing meds.
Would it be useful - or a hindrance to ask for a mental health assessor? Even they may not understand BP or the impact of these meds on me and my mobility changes.
The problem with the way my BP presents is the variability is SO unpredictable.
In fact I explained BP effect on me over a longer period to put it in context for me to try to show how unpredictable it is.
I may not need antipsychotics for over a year which would mean those very severe effects which affect my mobility didn't come into the last 12 months (I had a bad event last spring which I have described on my form but it didn't need antipsychotics. I have just had my mood stabilisers and an extra antidepressants with the slight effects of tremor and dizziness.
But when I have elevated mood I do need them (I have tried several and am hypersensitive to them all) with the severe effects. I take them for a few weeks to control my mood but the effects take up to 6 months to recede enough to function.
But then next week or next month I may 'flip', or maybe not till next year. It's impossible to know.
My CPN says I should claim based on how bad it can be and make it clear how it varies because I could need to inform them of changes on an impractical time frame/regularity. But I don't want to be perceived as dishonest or claiming fraudulently. Especially mobility with changing meds.
Would it be useful - or a hindrance to ask for a mental health assessor? Even they may not understand BP or the impact of these meds on me and my mobility changes.
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4 years 1 month ago #256691 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Face to face resuming? Mobility varies
Hi Daisychain59
You can ask for a mental health professional for your assessment, but the only answer you will get is that all the health professionals that they use are trained to assess a claimant's mental health. They may have done some minimal training but that will be it.
Unfortunately, if your condition is so variable in terms of your mobility that it only affects you for part of the year, you are going to struggle to be awarded it. In order to gain PIP you need to show that you have difficulties for the 'majority' of the time which is why your CPN has given the advice they have. It depends so much on how you describe your difficulties.
Your BP affects you all of the year. The severity varies and is affected by your medication, but from what you have said the symptoms and the impact are ongoing.
BIS
You can ask for a mental health professional for your assessment, but the only answer you will get is that all the health professionals that they use are trained to assess a claimant's mental health. They may have done some minimal training but that will be it.
Unfortunately, if your condition is so variable in terms of your mobility that it only affects you for part of the year, you are going to struggle to be awarded it. In order to gain PIP you need to show that you have difficulties for the 'majority' of the time which is why your CPN has given the advice they have. It depends so much on how you describe your difficulties.
Your BP affects you all of the year. The severity varies and is affected by your medication, but from what you have said the symptoms and the impact are ongoing.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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