PIP and brain injury

[Jewelbeetle]

My husband has a PIP phone call next week further to us applying recently. He suffered a severe TBI earlier this year and it’s been pretty hellish. My concern is, one of his key symptoms is lack of insight. Will the PIP assessor be a brain injury expert? As he’ll be there saying everything’s fine and dandy and yet again I’m the one having to correct his reality (and in turn becoming enemy number 1). How on earth can they sensibly assess someone in this position? Thanks

I'm afraid that everyone is in the same position - PIP assessors are not experts in any condition, or if they have experience it would be a coincidence. The assessments are based on what is said in the form, what your medical evidence supports and what is said / observed in the interview. So yes, I think that you must correct him if he is downplaying it. Remember that diagnosis is irrelevant - so in that respect not being an expert in the condition doesn't matter. PIP is based on impacts, so your focus needs to be on what he can and connot do as outlined in the orginal form. Also remember that it is about being able to do those things repeatedly, reliably and in comparison with someone without the condition. So for example, I cannot walk without sticks or a rollator, Why that is (the condition that causes that) is irrelevant. It's about how much help I need to walk, how I get that help, what I cannot do, and the slow pace I have etc etc.

Try to keep in the forefront of your mind that you are not telling them that he has a brain injury. You are telling them what aspects of life he can't do as well as "the average person".

Thank you @PhilippaGeorgiou that’s helpful advice.

I live around the results of a long term a brain injury, alongside other disability. Some has improved over time, some hasn't.You wouldn't know by looking at me. Entirely separately one of my Dc's has severe acquired brain damage. You would know looking at them. Yet some of the issues affect both of us at the same level.

Further to PhilippaGeorgiou excellent post: I'd write up how exactly it's affecting him, and what it has changed, ie the affects on him and those around him.

You may find it helpful to break this down into headings of cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral effects.It's a common method of explaining living with brain injuries.

If he suffered post injury amnesia for any length of time, mention it somewhere.
On the one hand it means nothing to them, on the other documented longer term PIA is often a 'rule of thumb' indicator evidence towards how severe an injury is likely to be, so it can help tie up what is being said if that makes sense.

It also may be appropriate to look at what he would do with a PIP award to both help him deal with additional expenses caused by it, and aids to executive function, therapies, etc, to try improve his situation. It helps to be ready if asked, but also helps focus you on what he needs that he isn't maybe getting.

IF he'll co-operate, it may be appropriate (once he's been through security) for him to ask to hand the call over to you to describe the reality of how he's affected, and what his needs are, especially if you're caring for him.

Don't forget to look after yourself, it's a means to an end, but preparing for and going through this stuff is additionally draining and depressing.

Will he let you do the call? You can be his nominated person or he can give permission for you to speak for him directly on the call. Sounds like this would be needed.

If he is likely to not give the full picture you really should perhaps consider becoming his appointee, although may be too late for the assessment now. These assessors really don't like others talking for the person unless you are an appointee. I sat in on an assessment to support the person ( learning difficulties) a few weeks ago as their appointee had recently died but the assessor would barely let me even explain the situation ! I wanted to try to postpone the assessment until the person had another appointee in place but they refused. I wasn't aware the phone call was even a PIP assessment , I was just asked to go and support at the last minute.

At the beginning of the assessment he should be able to give remission for you to speak for him. It sounds like this would be best.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for those with brain injuries to be turned down and have to go to tribunal. Be prepared for that to happen.

Also any medical evidence that was sent in with the form will be considered , so even if your dh says he can do something if the medical evidence contradicts that the assessor should consider what the medical evidence states.