Completing PIP form re.mental health

Gordon

Thanks for clarifying those queries, unfortunately I have a few more (and probably many more to follow).

Still on the subject of going out re.Q13

Im unsure which descriptor would apply to my partner as im finding conflicting advice and DWP guidance:

I've been able to calculate roughly percentages relating to how my partner is affected by various symptoms of her condition and how these apply to the form. I feel confident enough to argue that my partner is stable (remitting) 40% of the time and deteriorating (relapsing) 60% of the time and what the difference is between the two circumstances. Therefore, from my interepetation of DWP guidance she would be viewed as having problems for the majority of the time.

Looking at the advice and DWP guidance for Q13 Im a bit unsure which descriptor would apply. I can see that (b) Needs prompting ... could apply (when she is stable) but aslo I feel that either (e) or (f) could apply. However as DWP guidance states that she should be able to use public transport re. 'unfamiliar journeys' , which she can find extremely difficult, if not impossible even when accompanied (as said previously she will sometimes not leave the house for days at a time), it seems to me that due to this guidance descriptor (e) would have to be applied. My concern with this is that further DWP guidance states that not being able to undertake any journey should mean that the claimant has not left the house for several years, which does not apply to my partner. I know that the advice states that this is not a legal definition and that the 3 month timescale should apply but as I am establishing the frequency of my partners symptoms over the course of a year Im not sure if this would apply to her. Im hoping this makes sense!

Also with the above in mind, does not being able to use public transport apply to journeys to familiar places?

With regards to Q11 'mixing with other people':

The legal definition of Engage Socially, do parts (a),(b) & (c) all have to apply for the definition to be met?

Also is there a legal definition for 'overwhelming'?

may thanks in advance

craig

Gordon

Thanks for clarifying. I was getting concerned that if I chose to argue that she couldn’t undertake any journey then she may not score any points as she does leave the house when she is stable, but from what you are saying this shouldnt be the case so I’ll be taking my argument along those lines.

On another topic:

Re. Q5

My partner uses art as a means of therapy in that it give her a focus for her day, provides her with distraction techniques from psychotic symptoms, helps with motivation etc. Her consultant psychiatrist has often encourage her to continue this and has repeatedly stated that it has an enormous positive effect on her condition. The work itself is self directed and involves no other health professionals such as art therapists etc. When suffering deteriorating symptoms she requires prompting to engage with this activity. Do you think this would be recognised as a form of legally defined therapy?

Craig

Hi back again

So I filled out the PIP form and gave them the absolute maximum amountt of information I possibly could, it ran to 15 - 20 pages of extra information, I also included as much historical supporting documentation as I felt was relevant and an upto date assessment of my partenrs conditon from her consultant psychiatrist which fully supported the information in the form.

I sent the whole dossier to pips last Thursday guaranteed next day delivery and they received it on Friday.

I received a phone cal today from a nurse from Independent Assessment services asking to speak to my partner. I explained that my partner was asleep due to having had a bad night and having taken extra medication. I informed the nurse that I was her carer and had filled out the form on her behalf and was there anything I could assisst her with. The nurse replied that she would first have to speak to my partner to confirm that I am authorised to speak on her behalf and then that she would 'go through the process with me'.

I've had a look around but can't find much information relating to this kind of thing happening so I'm a bit concerend as it seems rather unusual.

I'm assuming that the nurse wants to clarify some information on the reply. Does anyone know what I should expect in the way of questions or has had any experience of this kind of thing?happening?

cheers

craig