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GP Notes for DLA to PIP transfer

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6 years 7 months ago #195889 by pollenpath
Replied by pollenpath on topic GP Notes for DLA to PIP transfer
Hello again Gordon, I hope you're well :)

The very next morning after my last post the PIP2 form arrived. I called the appropriate number and was granted an extension of two weeks to complete the forms. Thank you for your advice.

Today I'm confused by Q5. One of my health issues is depression and I see a psychotherapist every week. Despite my mobility difficulties I manage to get to many of my appointments with him because he's literally round the corner. But if this treatment doesn't fit into Q5, where on earth does it belong? Because of course there are weeks I can't have the treatment for various health-related reasons and limitations, and I also have to work hard betweens sessions to maintain the gains I make in therapy and do 'homework' and emotional processing,etc. Is any of this relevant to Q5, and if so, how?

I'd appreciate any insight you can offer, if possible. With thanks,

pollenpath

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6 years 7 months ago - 6 years 7 months ago #195904 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic GP Notes for DLA to PIP transfer
pollenpath

This question is about therapy that you have at home, so I'm afraid the time that you visit your Psychotherapist does not count, however, if you can show that there is activity that has been prescribed or recommended by them, that you carry out at home between sessions then this may count towards the activity.

You may need to show that you have been "instructed" to do what you describe as homework and also that without your doing it that your health, physical or mental would suffer as a result.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 7 months ago by Gordon.
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6 years 5 months ago #199321 by pollenpath
Replied by pollenpath on topic GP Notes for DLA to PIP transfer
Hi Gordon and Mrs H :)

I’ve applied to claim PIP after being told my DLA is due to end. I recently got a letter asking me to go for a face to face consultation with a HP at Assessment Services. With my claim form I’d sent lots of medical evidence, including a letter from my psychotherapist stating that a face-to-face assessment would be counter-productive to the relative stability of my mental health. I called the organisation and asked if they might’ve overlooked that letter and its recommendation. I spoke to a very pleasant young woman who basically said the thinking was that if I could attend lots of medical appointments (as evidenced by all the copies of letters I sent) then I could reasonably be expected to attend their assessment centre. I made the point that an assessment that could seriously affect my finances was a very different matter psychologically, hence the letter from my psychotherapist. I asked was it possible they’d consider a home or paper-based assessment instead.

The lady then asked me a couple of questions. The first was to list my health conditions, and the second was about how I manage to get to appointments, when I do. I found this unexpected interview unsettling but did my best to answer her questions. I tried to explain how anxiety and pain (I have chronic physical illnesses as well as mental ill health) together make it difficult for me to attend appointments at times, and explained that although I keep my psychotherapy appointments as regularly as I can, there are weeks I can’t go because I’m too unwell, and a hugely helpful factor is that my therapist lives just round the corner from me.

She let me know that she was sending my answers to someone so that they might reconsider the request for me to attend the centre, and cancelled the original appointment. But she couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t be asked to attend an alternative assessment date at the centre. It’s hard to recall details now but I think she said the next step would be a call or letter from them. She was very patient with me and listened kindly to what I had to say.

I wanted to describe my experience in case it helps other members, but I also wondered if you have any idea how this is likely to pan out.

Many thanks,
pollenpath
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