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Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
- jilly01
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3 years 5 months ago #264648 by jilly01
Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP was created by jilly01
Hi I was housebound for more than 20 years with Agoraphobia and Panic. With therapy and support, I can now get out with someone accompanying me (My safe person) which is a huge improvement.
My worry is as soon as I started to say I was getting out with support, things changed with my benefits. Rightly so in some cases but I felt I wasn't given time, you're not housebound now so you're cured kind of thing.
Pip gave me 4 points for getting out and about and certainly 0 points for planning and following a journey.
I explained indepth and the phone call interview went well I thought, I felt she'd understood. However I was horrified to see they didn't understand anything.
I don't go anywhere unless my 'safe person' takes me, is with me, takes me in the car. Helps me cope when panic looms.
I didn't challenge this, just feel helpless as I put everything into explaining all about me, it drains you, and makes you feel quite worthless.
My worry is as soon as I started to say I was getting out with support, things changed with my benefits. Rightly so in some cases but I felt I wasn't given time, you're not housebound now so you're cured kind of thing.
Pip gave me 4 points for getting out and about and certainly 0 points for planning and following a journey.
I explained indepth and the phone call interview went well I thought, I felt she'd understood. However I was horrified to see they didn't understand anything.
I don't go anywhere unless my 'safe person' takes me, is with me, takes me in the car. Helps me cope when panic looms.
I didn't challenge this, just feel helpless as I put everything into explaining all about me, it drains you, and makes you feel quite worthless.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Faith
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- Gary
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3 years 5 months ago #264685 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
Hi jilly01
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
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
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
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Faith, jilly01
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- denby
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3 years 5 months ago #264687 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
Jilly01, you are NOT worthless!!!
So sorry to hear like so many you've been mistreated. You will find the support on here to challenge this. You may be aware you have a month from the decision date to put in a Mandatory Reconsideration [MR] which is the next step. In the meantime if you have not already, please call the DWP or have someone do so for you. You need to request the assessment report, called a PA4, which it is your legal right to have [unless you live in NI]. If you get a stroppy jobsworth who says no, just end the call and try again. This will help you put your challenge together.
That's enough to get you started, I am sure the moderators will guide you about the more specific aspects of your situation.
As another poster said they make it horrible hoping you will go away - so please don't please them!! Do come back to the forum for more advice and support, you deserve it and everyone here will be rooting for you.
best regards,
Denby
So sorry to hear like so many you've been mistreated. You will find the support on here to challenge this. You may be aware you have a month from the decision date to put in a Mandatory Reconsideration [MR] which is the next step. In the meantime if you have not already, please call the DWP or have someone do so for you. You need to request the assessment report, called a PA4, which it is your legal right to have [unless you live in NI]. If you get a stroppy jobsworth who says no, just end the call and try again. This will help you put your challenge together.
That's enough to get you started, I am sure the moderators will guide you about the more specific aspects of your situation.
As another poster said they make it horrible hoping you will go away - so please don't please them!! Do come back to the forum for more advice and support, you deserve it and everyone here will be rooting for you.
best regards,
Denby
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gary, Waxwing, jilly01
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- an ex nurse
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3 years 5 months ago #264697 by an ex nurse
Replied by an ex nurse on topic Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
Hi, I can understand how not being listened to could make you feel that way, but you are certainly not worthless. it is admirable that you are taking steps to get out with someone with you and I don't underestimate the effort that must take. Take good care of yourself and good luck with your claim, everyone on here is behind you.
All good wishes
All good wishes
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Gary, Waxwing, jilly01
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- Susie27
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3 years 5 months ago #264717 by Susie27
Replied by Susie27 on topic Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
Hi jilly01,
I felt I must message some support and admiration. As Denby and the others have mentioned, you are not worthless - far from it!
Like you, I need to have a "safe person" to go outside. Agoraphobia is so distressing, isn't it? And "going out" requires so much planning beforehand, extra medication, techniques agreed with the safe person during any journey (even to get Covid jab!) and the inevitable aftershock that can last for days.
Quite simply, I think you have immense courage.
Best,
Susie
I felt I must message some support and admiration. As Denby and the others have mentioned, you are not worthless - far from it!
Like you, I need to have a "safe person" to go outside. Agoraphobia is so distressing, isn't it? And "going out" requires so much planning beforehand, extra medication, techniques agreed with the safe person during any journey (even to get Covid jab!) and the inevitable aftershock that can last for days.
Quite simply, I think you have immense courage.
Best,
Susie
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Gary, Waxwing, jilly01, LL26
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- an ex nurse
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3 years 5 months ago #264730 by an ex nurse
Replied by an ex nurse on topic Recovering Agoraphobic and PIP
Hi Susie, sounds like you have immense courage too.
All good wishes
All good wishes
The following user(s) said Thank You: Susie27, jilly01
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