Can anyone help me with this part of my PIP form please?

[PIPpityDoodah]

I've had a decision back but don't feel like this particular section is fair.

Without getting too deep I suffer from multiple MH issues Inc agoraphobia and OCD and do not leave the house alone, ever. My ability to go anywhere is solely dependent on someone being able to take me. Even to the corner shop

I believe that I should have gotten 'F' Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person'
But have been awarded E.

I am considering a mandatory reconsideration to try and get descriptor F as that would get me high mobility.

The assessor literally says twice in the recommendations that I don't leave the house alone.

Any familiar journey I take, picking up poorly kids from school, going to a Dr's Appointment or the bank is navigated with another adult who drives me there.

Can anyone explain what the 'Reported restrictions not supported' part means and how I can word the Mandatory reconsideration in saying I think I should get 'F' as if I don't have anyone to come with me I don't go anywhere.

Tbh it looks right to me. F indicates physical impairment and from what you say it is psychological distress, not a physical disability.

That's not correct. F is not solely based on a physical impairment, it is also open to MH issues.

Many people with MH issues who are unable to go places alone get mobility based in this descriptor.

There is another mobility question that's more based on physical ability (being able to walk certain distances)

What's an orientation aid?

The system is designed for you to fail. When I did mine I got Nul points. I did the mandatory thing, they stood by their decision, so I went to tribunal where I was awarded lots of relevant points and got my PIP. Took best part of two years. If you can get a charity to help you, they can point you towards government funded solicitors that fight on your behalf for what you are entitled to.
Please don’t take it personally, they waste over a million pounds A WEEK on tribunals where over 80% are overturned. It’s all so badly managed. You just have to plod on to the bitter end.

I'm not sure at all!

E sounds right to me, its that you are unable to leave the house alone due to distress. F reads that you need to be unable to follow a route but you've not indicated any inability to know the route just to be able to do it. Its quite a subtle difference, no difference in outcome just a difference in why

DD was awarded F but this is because she cannot understand directions and struggles with left and right. She also has no road sense. She does not have a physical disability but would be unable to travel on her own.

You could ask for a mandatory reconsideration but I think they would try to justify their decision in the way that MilkTwoSugarsThanks has outlined.

Orientation aid is a guide dog or a cane etc

Did you get any points for moving around?

So why do you think you should have F instead of E? What is it about your condition that makes F more appropriate?

If you can get your head round that you've got your answer and we can maybe help you word it.

(By "we" I mean other Mumsnetters more eloquent than me 😁)

you have been awarded the correct descriptor. F is for people who due a learning disability for example cannot go out alone due to safety. Or they are blind and need a guide dog or other reasons along those lines. You are unable to leave the house the majority of the time, you are not unable to know how to get from a well know point A to point B . You can't do it due to your mental health.

It says 'Functional history shows is not able to leave home on Majority Of Days suggesting assistance with familiar is unreliable'

Does that mean F isn't being awarded because I don't leave the house often enough to need someone to go with me?

The reason I applied is because my online friend is exactly the same as me, we met in an agoraphobia support group online and her husband takes her everywhere, she doesn't leave the house without him and she got descriptor F on this question with exactly the same issues as me.

So it is possible.

Look at the wording. "Cannot undertake" compared to "Cannot follow".

Why is F more appropriate than E? Forget about your friend - that's irrelevant.

Because I cannot follow a simple journey without assistance.

If i tried to I would panic, feel like I was going to be attacked or get lost. My OCD would tell me that if I make the wrong turn that I am going to end up in a life of death situation and because I'm the one that's making the decisions, not someone that's with me, then it will be my fault and the pressure is overwhelming. I would suffer a panic attack.

I stopped going out because I would literally get lost in the area I lived my whole life but I just go into a blind panic and can't recognise anything so I just stopped leaving the house alone.

If you want a blue badge leave it at E

Before I stopped going out alone I would follow google maps for a 4 minute walk to the shop round the corner because I wouldn't trust myself to make the right choices.

I don't drive so I don't need a blue badge.

It's always worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration (have worked helping people apply and challenge decision) They seem to have suggested you are sometimes able to manage a familiar route so this is where you need additional evidence. A diary of when you go out including if it is famaliar or not and the feelings at the time and if someone is to accompany you (100%) - it can help to state that if they were not with you you would not go whatever the reason to need to go out.

I just thought it was worth mentioning in case because some boroughs want descriptor e under that section if you don’t meet the mobility criteria

OK I've read somethings online now and understand the difference.

Thankyou.

A Blue Badge would be for you so whoever is driving you can use Blue Badge parking. My mum has one and has never driven a day in her life!

Yes it's possible but you friend was "lucky" in that either an error was made in their case or more likely there are things they haven't disclosed to you either because they chose not to or because of lack of self awareness of the severity of their own disability.
The descriptor from what you have said is the right one, the award could be reduced if you appeal as long as you are aware of that.

Citizens' Advice will help you with reconsideration etc.

You could follow a familiar route but you won’t do it alone.

You know the way to the corner shop/children’s school. Your MH is not a mental impairment that makes you unable to follow a familiar route.