Health Decline, PIP Claim, Reassessment

Hello, I searched the forum but couldn't find an answer to my questions. Firstly, I had to attend and interview to renew my PIP claim. At the time, I was made to travel some 30 miles from home to Cardiff. My MIND support worker took me in her car and stayed with me, otherwise I would not have been able to attend. As it was, I ended up in tears because of the pressure. I was awarded the Living component, but denied the Mobility as I only scored 4 out of 12 for the 'Planning and Following a Journey' section. My life is severely impaired by depression, agoraphobia, anxiety and panic attacks that began after a cardiac arrest / heart attack at the age of 43, a further heart attack, and more heart surgery. These problems were the reason why I was accompanied by my then MIND support worker. When the award was looked at again in October 2019, I was informed that there was no change to the original decision. Since then I have had to spend time in hospital because of worsening heart problems. The latest episode revealed episodic arrythimia and resulted in minor surgery to install a heart monitor. I have now been diagnosed with heart failure which has made my life so much worse and my mental health to sink to new lows. I knew my condition was worsening as my ability to get about without becoming breathless is non-existant. I no longer receive support from MIND or my GP practice. I have been unable to make an appointment to see the latter for more than 2 years now because they're always fully booked. My 2019 letter from the DWP reminded me that my claim ends on the 28th November 2021. I don't know what to do about my claim now. I am terrified of contacting the DWP to tell them things have got much worse.

Roy sorry also your suffering even more, to add to BIS great advice this is worth reading too.
I gave a similar copy to all my health professionals to read, they all gave me great support evidence based on this. Wish you well.

PIP benefit assessments – exemption from face-to-face interview to protect vulnerable patients
There is a great deal of evidence about the profound distress which face-to-face assessments for disability benefits can cause, especially for women and men with mental health conditions. The prospect of interview can induce overwhelming anxiety, panic and dissociative states, levels of stress and distress that can precipitate serious relapses, leading to psychiatric admissions and even suicides. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Jed Boardman said: “You see people relapsing as a consequence of getting distressed about being assessed.” (Fit-for-work tests linked to relapses in those with mental health problems Guardian 24 November 2015.)

Therefore it is vital that professionals know about the benefit system regulations on exemption from the face-to-face interview and for assessment on paper evidence.

They can quote these to protect vulnerable patients from harmful distress and deterioration, and/or enable them to stay out of hospital. Professionals who can state their opinion include: GP, care co-ordinator, psychologist, psychiatrist, key worker, support worker, therapist, counsellor, Independent Domestic Violence Advocate... Opinions from non- medical staff are relevant to describe people’s problems functioning.

It is important to recommend exemption from the face-to-face interview very clearly. Don’t recommend a home visit: this can be worse than an assessment centre interview, as for women rape survivors or others, their home is their safe space which would be violated by an official visit. You may be rung by the assessor as a follow-up, so make sure you are up-to-date with your patient’s situation.

winvisibleblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/...september-2019-1.pdf

My Husband has had heart failure for over 20 years now and similar to you his problems started in his 40s. You should be having a heart review annually together with blood tests from your GP and a medication review. It is possible that the GP does not know the full story of your heart problems as sometimes letters go missing. This happened to a friend of ours who was not getting any medication for over a year, post surgery. If its poor GP service maybe a change of GP would help. You could contact your local support group or Healthwatch (every area has one) for more information. I hope this helps.