My PIP award

I was awarded ‘cannot undertake any journey due to overwhelming psychological distress’

This was due to other descriptor supported in the form of episodes of loss of consciousness due to non epileptic seizures.

But also in attempting to leave the house 2-3 times a week and having panic attacks. So I imagine they don’t think I’m doing it to an acceptable standard.

Does this award mean I can’t go out at all? I’m really confused and also my episodes of loss of consciousness going out are so remote now I’m not sure if this still applies. Or is it about harm and risk rather than frequency?

Obviously I’m very worried as I’ll lose the mobility award if it’s not right for me but I don’t want to be done for benefit fraud!

I’m trying to get myself better with CBT and exposure. So if I don’t expose myself, how can I ever get better? If that makes sense.

On the PIP medical report which I received in the post.

What does mean by Other descriptor supported.

It mentions how LOC was considered. Only considered.

Morning. The legal criteria is ‘the majority of days’. I receive Enhanced Mobility but still go out probably 2/7. I understand your stress, I used to be the same. My last PIP Award letter actually stated ‘the majority of days’ part, so that was a huge relief.
Also, in the winter, I hardly ever leave the house, but over the summer I do go out more. Over the course, of the year though it averages at 2 days out of 7.
You are covered legally, and going out a little bit will help you. Also, ‘repeatedly’ is in the legislation. If you manage to go out once for a little bit, but then return to your house, you may well be ‘recovering’ from the mental turmoil etc as well as the physical side.
I hope this helps. Read the legislation if you want the proper wording. x

Thanks for that information, Angel.

Yes it can be very confusing and stressful. Most of my points were scored for anxiety and depression. However two of my descriptors were chosen because of my mental health but it also says other descriptor supported and in the writing it says ‘LOC was considered’. I guess considered means it was thought about but doesn’t apply?

My award letter doesn’t mention majority of days for anything to be honest. Not even the journeys. Is this something I should be worried about? Or is it basic wording?

And yes I have heard that majority of days means over 50% and of course that could also mean 4 out of 7 days. Is this correct?

I believe they taken into consideration whether you avoid crowds or public transport indicating a severe level of restriction. Is a taxi considered public transport? As it’s door to door.

Also:
If you can't undertake any journey the majority of the time then this will score under acitivity 1E. (10 points)
A claimant who satisfies 1E cannot also satisfy 1F. If they cannot
undertake a single journey on the majority of days due to overwhelming
psychological distress, then 1E will be the applicable descriptor, even
if there are occasions when they could follow a familiar route, if
accompanied.

This may be the legislation that covers me. However in my report it mentions I don’t do shopping to an acceptable standard, not much about anything else I might add.

So does this mean I’m legally allowed to leave the house on 3 days of the week, at least?

What constitutes an improvement in a condition? As panic attacks and seizures can be remote. There is still that risk they could happen and endure mental difficulties.