Has anyone successfully applied for PIP for mental health issues?

[RosiePosieCantLogIn]

I've been on ESA support group for years.

My medical records just state 'anxiety and depression' though they've got me on a waiting list for ADHD assessment.

My life's a shambles. I'm constantly scared. I don't go out of the house alone. Ever.
I don't go anywhere alone. I have to have someone with me to shop, go to appointments, anything.

I can't drive because I'm too scared to learn. I can't do public transport alone so mostly rely on lifts/accompanied taxis.

I don't have much documented though because Dr's and appointments and phone calls stress me out so bad that I just live like this.

I've had therapy and CBT but that was a couple of years ago.

There's nothing else that can really be done so I feel like there isn't much 'paper evidence' of how I live.

I get pip and I have anxiety, depression and ptsd. I can't remember what I used for evidence tbh so can't advise you there.

Thanks. Reading up it seems it's all about using the right language to score points which seems unfair when your average clamimanint won't know what that language is.

I am sorry to hear you have such a difficult time. Mental illness is awful .
I have a severe anxiety disorder. I get ESA ( support group) and receive the enhanced PIP rates.

Anxiety is truly horrendous and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
Definitely apply for PIP Op.

I sent medical evidence and they also confirmed this with my GP I believe.

I wouldn't believe a lot of this. Obviously there's things you should include, but I think the phrasing and language advice is a throwback to when people would advise that you filled in the forms as if it was your "worst day", which is actually pretty dodgy advice for most people.

In your case it's probably going to come down to what medical evidence you can provide. You'll describe life on the form, and how your condition affects you, which it sounds like it really does - and then evidencing that, which is sounds like you might struggle with.

Is a call or appointment with your doctor to talk to them about this completely out of the question, even if you take someone with you? They'd then be able to support your claim.

I get pip for late diagnosed autism. It was a challenging process and was only awarded at tribunal. The evidence was there though and the decision makers at tribunal were fair.

Obtaining medical evidence is the way forward

How though?

I just go to the Dr's and tell them about my life? Is that then classed as medical evidence?

Does it matter that it's done after the application?

I asked for the form yesterday.

@RosiePosieCantLogIn I had someone from the council fill my form for me because I couldn't do it and didn't understand the questions. I was awarded first time thankfully.

I've just looked on my NHS app and there's this.

Is this 'medical evidence?'

I’m a MH nurse. I’m also used to do benefits support. Can I ask, what help are you currently getting for your MH? In general there’s an understanding that in order to be awarded PIP for anxiety/depression you need to be prescribed at least anti depressants, and usually at a pretty high dose, unless there’s a really good reason why not. Most people who are awarded are also under the care of secondary MH services/a psychiatrist. In terms of how it affects you, the law says that you need to be affected at least 50% of the time which it sounds like you are.

I'm on 40mg Citalopram and 20mg Propranolol as needed.

I don't get any ongoing help from anyone as I find it really stressful interacting with people so I just take my pills and avoid thinking about it really.

I had CBT therapy a few years ago.

That’s the maximum amount of citalopram. Do you find it works? Have you ever seen a psychiatrist? The assessment details from your NHS app do count as “evidence” but I would get your GP to write it up in a letter if possible. What evidence did you use for ESA?

I got took to tribunal and explained how I lived my life and the judge awarded it, support group. I got zero points awarded from the initial interview.

It does help. Yes. It keeps me level I think.

Taking antidepressant medication at higher doses, seeing GP regularly or being under MH services (so can produce up to date diagnosis) being on W/L for counselling or undergoing counselling - will all help.

I used to before I became physically disabled as well.
I would really recommend you look at fightback4justice. They are a non profit group who have excellent examples of well completed pip (and other) forms with a variety of disabilities. And they can actually complete the form with you if needed. There is a small charge £4.99-£11.99 a month but you can cancel whenever you want so you could just pay for one month.
They have a really high success rate.

Yes, i used to volunteer for fightback before my job got too busy. They really are fabulous 🙂

You can but it is a real challenge...

I was awarded PIP by the tribunal for 3 years for a combination of mental health issues and chronic pain due to a condition that affects my bones & joints.

I just had a review and of course they removed the daily living allowance...

So now it is back to asking for a mandatory review and I assume tribunal.

I am on anti-depression, on the counselling waiting list, was under the care of the crisis team recently after (trigger warning) making plans to end my life, am struggling to keep my part-time job as I get panic attacks on public transport and yet the DWP seem to think I am better. I send a pile of evidence too.

Do apply and take them to the tribunal stage if needed.

The whole process is appalling but we need to carry on fighting...

Yes I've been told for years to apply but the stress of the ESA application just put me off.

I found it so, so difficult.

Before ESA I live off nothing but tax credit and CB for a year because I was too scared to apply.

But now I have to because my financial situation is much worse because of changed to my Housing benefit, that would be void if I get Pip.

Thankyou so much for this. I will definitely do this.

I live exactly the same lifestyle as you OP. I am under the crisis team and that's the only evidence I had to prove that it affects my everyday life. I get £107 a month. It's not a lot but better than nothing. Can you self refer to your local crisis team?

Even 1p would help because PIP stops deductions from housing benefit and without I'm having to find £400 a month

If you mean the non-dependent deduction, you have to be in receipt of the daily living component of PIP (or one of the other relevant benefits) to be exempt. Only being in receipt of standard mobility (which is what £107 pm is) won’t except you from the non-dependent deduction.

Oh :(