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PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
- L
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3 years 7 months ago #263454 by L
PIP still enhanced living but no mobility was created by L
Good afternoon and thank you so much for the help and support so far, you're literally the reason I have had my PIP extended.
So I am absolutely over the moon to report I have had my enhanced living extended (same award as before) however on my review I asked for mobility due to psychological distress. Because of my mental health and autistm the only places I can drive to in the car is my daughter's school around the corner, and even that causes me severe anxiety. The reason I don't walk is because if I were to have too much sensory input I'm at risk of having a meltdown and it's just too unsafe crossing the roads wirh my little girl.
My report states 'There is no evidence of significant anxiety that meets the criteria for overwhelming psychological distress despite your mental diagnosis. Therefore I have decided you can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided independently'
However, I sent in extra evidence after I originally forgot to send it. I rang to explain the situation and they said it was fine and it was on their system.
The evidence is signed by my previous consultant Psychologist from 2019 which states I have a severe mental disorder, the diagnosis of which means I am unable to drive. And that this is a long term condition.
Do you think based on their report they have 'lost' this evidence as it was sent in late? I'm suspicious because surely the evidence contradicts this part of the report? Also suspicious because they also 'lost' my original review forms (I didn't send recorded), which I had to fill in all over again.
Do I do mandatory consideration or just be that happy my award is extended?
Many thanks for your help once again.
So I am absolutely over the moon to report I have had my enhanced living extended (same award as before) however on my review I asked for mobility due to psychological distress. Because of my mental health and autistm the only places I can drive to in the car is my daughter's school around the corner, and even that causes me severe anxiety. The reason I don't walk is because if I were to have too much sensory input I'm at risk of having a meltdown and it's just too unsafe crossing the roads wirh my little girl.
My report states 'There is no evidence of significant anxiety that meets the criteria for overwhelming psychological distress despite your mental diagnosis. Therefore I have decided you can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided independently'
However, I sent in extra evidence after I originally forgot to send it. I rang to explain the situation and they said it was fine and it was on their system.
The evidence is signed by my previous consultant Psychologist from 2019 which states I have a severe mental disorder, the diagnosis of which means I am unable to drive. And that this is a long term condition.
Do you think based on their report they have 'lost' this evidence as it was sent in late? I'm suspicious because surely the evidence contradicts this part of the report? Also suspicious because they also 'lost' my original review forms (I didn't send recorded), which I had to fill in all over again.
Do I do mandatory consideration or just be that happy my award is extended?
Many thanks for your help once again.
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- BIS
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3 years 7 months ago #263462 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
Hi L
We can't tell you what to do here. If you put in for an MR asking them to look at the mobility part of your award - there is a tiny risk that your award could be downgraded as they tend to look at the whole award. I say tiny because I have only ever heard it happening to two people and they were very unusual cases. The majority of MR cases don't get changed, but 37% of MRs are won and I'm sure all those claimants would say it was worth it.
You appear to have good evidence and there is a chance that if it was sent in later it may not have been seen even if it was on the system. (I know this from personal experience when 70 pages of evidence that I sent in for someone had been put on the system but I was then told the folder had never been opened and therefore the documents hadn't been read).
Only you know if you have the energy to fight this by putting in an MR.
BIS
We can't tell you what to do here. If you put in for an MR asking them to look at the mobility part of your award - there is a tiny risk that your award could be downgraded as they tend to look at the whole award. I say tiny because I have only ever heard it happening to two people and they were very unusual cases. The majority of MR cases don't get changed, but 37% of MRs are won and I'm sure all those claimants would say it was worth it.
You appear to have good evidence and there is a chance that if it was sent in later it may not have been seen even if it was on the system. (I know this from personal experience when 70 pages of evidence that I sent in for someone had been put on the system but I was then told the folder had never been opened and therefore the documents hadn't been read).
Only you know if you have the energy to fight this by putting in an MR.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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3 years 7 months ago #263482 by denby
Replied by denby on topic PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
L: Go girl, don't let them get away with it! We all have your back here. Far too little acknowledgement in society of things like too much sensory input for us neurodiverse people. Never mind how other stresses cause variation in what one can tolerate.
Best wishes, Denby
Best wishes, Denby
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- L
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3 years 7 months ago #263559 by L
Replied by L on topic PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
Thank you so much for all the helpful information you have all given so far. I'm very appreciative.
So for MR, would I basically ask them to relook at my evidence from the psychiatrist regarding not being able to drive because of a long term psychological condition? Or do i need to be more thorough with everything? I do also have a blue badge application (that was rejected) from my previous CPN which outlines my difficulties. I wondered if I should use that, too.
I've now re-read the report, and it says I have no current specialist mental health input (this is not by choice, there is nothing available/suitable for me since moving districts). The report also states there is no care plan or risk assessment in place and that I can still travel accompanied by someone or be taken by car. Perhaps they HAVE seen the evidence but because its from 2019 and I'm no longer with that mental health service, they think it's void?
I'm feeling I should fight this to be honest, due to the discrepancies with 'losing' everything so far. I feel the report also has lies, as it states that I have said I have difficulty moving around. I have not said this at all! I have been completely honest with the fact I am not affected by walking and can walk unaided 200m or more. So I'm not sure why they think I have stated I have trouble moving around. I just put under the driving part that it's unsafe for me to cross roads at times, due to the risk of meltdown and sensory overload. They also said i 'have no diagnosis of cognition, intellect, visual, sensory or memory impairments'. I'm not sure the person that has written my report uderstands autism at all....you can be both intelligent and highly affected by disability...
I'm aware my award is unlikely to change at all, I don't see how it could be downgraded either, but I think I should take that risk.
Thank you.
So for MR, would I basically ask them to relook at my evidence from the psychiatrist regarding not being able to drive because of a long term psychological condition? Or do i need to be more thorough with everything? I do also have a blue badge application (that was rejected) from my previous CPN which outlines my difficulties. I wondered if I should use that, too.
I've now re-read the report, and it says I have no current specialist mental health input (this is not by choice, there is nothing available/suitable for me since moving districts). The report also states there is no care plan or risk assessment in place and that I can still travel accompanied by someone or be taken by car. Perhaps they HAVE seen the evidence but because its from 2019 and I'm no longer with that mental health service, they think it's void?
I'm feeling I should fight this to be honest, due to the discrepancies with 'losing' everything so far. I feel the report also has lies, as it states that I have said I have difficulty moving around. I have not said this at all! I have been completely honest with the fact I am not affected by walking and can walk unaided 200m or more. So I'm not sure why they think I have stated I have trouble moving around. I just put under the driving part that it's unsafe for me to cross roads at times, due to the risk of meltdown and sensory overload. They also said i 'have no diagnosis of cognition, intellect, visual, sensory or memory impairments'. I'm not sure the person that has written my report uderstands autism at all....you can be both intelligent and highly affected by disability...
I'm aware my award is unlikely to change at all, I don't see how it could be downgraded either, but I think I should take that risk.
Thank you.
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- BIS
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3 years 7 months ago #263565 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
Hi L
If you're going to do an MR - you should concentrate on the questions where you did not score the points you expected to. I am assuming that you have a diagnosis of autism? In my experience, few assessors have any idea of what that means for claimants and make assumptions about how it affects them.
The fact that you can travel in a car is not enough. You can't take public transport, you are in danger from sensory overload if you walk even though you can physically walk and you're not able to drive yourself. When the assessor has said you have difficulty in moving around - she may have meant the sensory overload - but that should have been clear. You should put in a description of what happens when you experience sensory overload - the symptoms and the fact you are unsafe and could not reliably repeat the exercise. This is different from a claimant who has the same physical capacity as you but does not have autism. Highlight once again your psychiatrists report.
They should know that getting mental health services is virtually impossible at the current time as they are overloaded and in many cases even if something is suitable they are waiting months for a referral. You cannot be discriminated against for that service not being there and emphasise that is why you don't have an up to date care plan. Even people who are currently under services are unlikely to have been issued one in the last couple of years. If you have an old one and it is useful for your fight - include it and emphasise the difficulties you have.
If there is a point you want to make that doesn't make any difference on points - leave it for a final paragraph.
Come back if you have any more questions.
BIS
If you're going to do an MR - you should concentrate on the questions where you did not score the points you expected to. I am assuming that you have a diagnosis of autism? In my experience, few assessors have any idea of what that means for claimants and make assumptions about how it affects them.
The fact that you can travel in a car is not enough. You can't take public transport, you are in danger from sensory overload if you walk even though you can physically walk and you're not able to drive yourself. When the assessor has said you have difficulty in moving around - she may have meant the sensory overload - but that should have been clear. You should put in a description of what happens when you experience sensory overload - the symptoms and the fact you are unsafe and could not reliably repeat the exercise. This is different from a claimant who has the same physical capacity as you but does not have autism. Highlight once again your psychiatrists report.
They should know that getting mental health services is virtually impossible at the current time as they are overloaded and in many cases even if something is suitable they are waiting months for a referral. You cannot be discriminated against for that service not being there and emphasise that is why you don't have an up to date care plan. Even people who are currently under services are unlikely to have been issued one in the last couple of years. If you have an old one and it is useful for your fight - include it and emphasise the difficulties you have.
If there is a point you want to make that doesn't make any difference on points - leave it for a final paragraph.
Come back if you have any more questions.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- L
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3 years 7 months ago #263580 by L
Replied by L on topic PIP still enhanced living but no mobility
Excellent advice. Thank you so much.
I will start working on it right away and keep you updated of any results.
Many thanks again for everything, this website is invaluable!
I will start working on it right away and keep you updated of any results.
Many thanks again for everything, this website is invaluable!
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