To think I'll fail PIP assessment

[recoveryishard]

So I have my PIP assessment coming up on the 9th November and I'm really worried about going after hearing that they lie (this was from my own gp), ignore what you say and don't take mental health seriously.

I am claiming for bipolar 2, depression and anxiety. I have been told by my doctor and mental health nurse that I shouldn't be going back to work as the stress of that, being a single mum and managing my condition is too much. Stress is a major trigger for manic episodes, then I say inappropriate things/behave in a manic way and this usually end with me being fired 🙄

If I don't get fired I end up off sick for up to a month while I recover from the depression side then the cycle just repeats itself.

When I'm in the depression I don't eat, go out, get up and generally rely on family and friends to look after me, get kids to school, remind me to take meds etc.

I also had a breakdown in the summer where I self harmed and was suicidal.

The problem is at the moment, Altho I'm not completely stable,from the outside i appear ok. I can go out now, am not crying all day, wash, look after kids etc. Last week however I was drinking every day, staying in all day and an anxious mess. If I appear 'normal' at my assessment they will probably give me no points, I'll have to go back to work, have an episode and end up going through all the hurt and depression again. I can't do that to my family again, especially my kids. My daughter has already told someone at school I cry all the time at home 😢

Has anyone got any advice on how to handle this? Both my parents are coming with me to help and apart from taking loads of Diazepam I don't know what to do?!

I have to say, we had a terrible experience with them. I went with my DD and yes they did lie, blatantly. I was shocked by the extent of the lies!!

As pp's have said, go at your worst. Don't let them see you coping for one minute! If you don't get it, appeal. We did this and the tribunal awarded her a higher rate of Pip than I think she would have got, had she been awarded it in the first place. If that makes sense? So my DD is now due a few thousand pounds in back payments.

They will look for any excuse to say you are "well". Apparently they even see you bringing a handbag along as a "sign" that you are used to going out! Anything they ask you, "can you do this?" don't even say sometimes, say never! Sounds awful I know but it's a corrupt system.

You need to show that you need help with the activities they detail on the form. It's not just the condition but how it impacts resultibg in you needing help and assistance or supervision prompting with e.g. eating washing staying safe mobilising etc.

I've just had a letter from universal credit about my capability for work assessment and I no longer have to go! Apparently they have all the evidence they need that shows I am not fit for work- such a relief- will this then help with my PIP assessment?

Yes, in a sense, it will.

Evidence presented in support of ESA is shared with PIP and vice versa. The fact that you're not required to attend an assessment is a sign that the evidence you've sent in is so compelling that they can make a decision just on the paperwork. So good news! If you didn't send in the same letters etc with your PIP application, take them with you, as they were obviously helpful.

If you kept a copy of your PIP application, refer to it. Download the "PIP descriptors" and see which activities you are unable to do for yourself, without anyone prompting you. Concentrate on those.

Remember that they start assessing you long before you get into the room with the assessor. If you present yourself at the desk and speak to receptionist in a confident way, the report will say so, and draw the conclusion that you are able to interact with other people without any problems. They will note if you do not appear anxious, are able to make eye contact, appear "well-kempt" and "well dressed", so don't make a special effort to look smart and clean and engage with the assessor. If your usual outfit of choice is a gravy-stained hoody and some bobbly old leggings, wear it!

Take someone in with you. They will not be able to answer for you, but they will be able to help you express how your MH issues affect you.

For you to be deemed unable to do something, you must be unable to do it at least 50% of the time, so be very careful about using words like "sometimes", or "on a bad day". Use "usually" and "most of the time".

With bi-polar, you may need to explain how the different phases affect you. For example, someone might be unable to go out and socialise when they're in the depressed phase, and unable to socialise safely, because of recklessness and impaired judgment, in a manic phase.

Finally, when I've supported clients who got so upset that the assessment couldn't be completed, they always got good awards. If you do find any part of the assessment distressing, don't hold back.

Good luck.

God I'm dreading it, it's going to be awful 😢 my life is stressful enough without this looming over me- it's very difficult because of the different aspects to my illness. Part of me just doesn't want to go but I need the money because I don't/can't work and have two children to support. I want to work and I'm hoping when both children are at school and my meds have kept me stable for a year/2 I can go back. I just need some help in the meantime.

If you are under the care of a mental health professional, they can write and confirm that you are unable to attend the face to face (if this is related to your diagnosis)

That can be ignored. It's up to the assessor whether you are called for a face to face assessment, not your own healthcare professional. (I appreciate that sounds nonsensical!)

I have to say, we had a terrible experience with them. I went with my DD and yes they did lie, blatantly. I was shocked by the extent of the lies!!

Someone I know was an assessor for a little while. Her reports were sent back for revision over and over again, and she was told repeatedly that she was too favourable to the claimants. She was ordered to lie.

That's why she was only an assessor for a little while.

The most absurd case I ever dealt with was a lady who was assessed at home, bedridden at the time, and who cried all the way through the assessment, which was recorded.

Her assessment said she was able to climb a short flight of steps unaided. She lived in a bungalow with a ramp up to the door and the nearest step of any description was the kerb along the street from her house! Her support worker (who was present at the assessment) took video of of the bungalow, the approach to it etc along to the appeal. The client cried through most of the appeal, too.

She ended up gettin the enhanced rate of both elements, having only been awarded 2 points for the daily living activities by the DWP.

It's an absolute sham and a con.

It's designed to make you fail I think to weed out the fakers- those who get turned down and don't need it probably wouldn't appealA apparently 2/3 cases are overturned on appeal, it's just the time it takes- I applied in June and my assessment in next Friday only after I called to chase them up!

I know its easier said than done, but try not to stress too much. Its quite likely they will fail you, but its also likely that you will win your tribunal. My PIP assessment was a disaster. She outright lied in parts, she said I had refused a physical assessment when infact she had said that she would not do one as she could see I was in a lot of pain. They also decided that because I walked 20 steps to the examination room (stopping also as my pain was unbearable that day) this meant I can walk 200m perfectly fine!

Ask for it recorded, aswell as having your parents with you. I also advise not taking your diazepam, or certainly not taking more than usual..as if you appear 'ok' you are unlikely to get points. To be quite honest, even if you appear not ok you will possibly get no points too.

I have been lucky with my ESA ones, just 3 weeks after the PIP assessor said I was totally fine, I was assessed for ESA and put in the support group, and only a few weeks back I was placed in support group again. My PIP 'medicals' have always contained lies though..every time. And everytime I have been passed after tribunal. That doesn't help in the meantime though, when my costs are the same but my income drastically lowered though. I have now been waiting 20 months for my tribunal for PIP. I know I will pass it, but I owe out literally thousands as obviously my illness is the same as it always was..

The way disabled people are treat is just vile really. But so many believe the 'loads of people just say they have a bad back with no proof and get thousands in benefits' line that the rags push, that people tend to have no sympathy.

I wrote my dc pip on her behalf which I stated & got her to sign - I also stated that because of her stress & communication problems she needed me thereon the form. I was allowed to go

I also have bipolar 2 and claim PIP. I have someone from Citizens Advice coming out tomorrow to help me fill in my review form. It's such a worry just be honest with them.

OP I'm a disability qualified tribunal member and I sit on PIP appeals.

Evidence that's useful-
GP records
Letters from specialists
A diary about your mood
Supporting documents from any agency that you work with

Daily living activities

1. Preparing food- with MH- do you need prompting to eat?

2- taking nutrients- you'll score zero as it's about can you physically pick up food and put it in your mouth

3- Managing medication-
Do you use a dossett box?
Do you need prompting?

4- toileting needs- v hard to score without physical need

5- bathing- do you need prompting?

6- dressing- can you pick out weather appropriate clothing? Do you need prompting to change clothes when you're in an episode?

7- communicating- who comes with you to appointments? Can you understand complex info whilst in an episode?

8- social engagement- who? How often? Anyone?

9- reading- during an episode can you understand documents? Such as referrals? If not who helps and how

10- budgeting- ever had input from a debt specialist?

Mobility

1- can you plan a journey during an episode? Could you get there at the time needed?

2- is physical you'll score 0

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf" target="_blank">http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf Use this link. If you are not successful then DO APPEAL!

Read up on regulation 4 "50% rule" and regulation 7 "fluctuating conditions"

https://pipinfo.net/issues/fluctuating-conditions

Good luck x

I have bipolar 1 and anxiety and paranoia. I work part time and claim PIP.
I didn't need a face to face assessment as my gp and mental health team wrote a lot of information on the form.
The week of the supposed assessment I couldn't go as I was really struggling with suicidal thoughts and took an overdose really just due to the fear and stress.
Assessment cancelled and 3 months later I was awarded enhanced daily living pip.
Form came again this year and I filled it in myself describing everything about this illness and how it effects me.
Sent them a list of prescription drugs and more information from gp and I got the same award with no face to face.
Just include all information especially from your health professionals and take someone with you.
Don't put a brave face on. I was in the middle of a nervous breakdown when I was going through the pip process and I will never be able to work full time again.
Dark humour but I now dine out on the hilarious stories of my work quitting day.
Good luck

This question isn't so much about the PIP but your medication.... Are you solely on diazepam? I have bipolar and am taking mood stabilisers, and have done for years. Granted there are the dips but the manic episodes have really, really decreased and are manageable. I'm not prying so much as trying to find out how you might cope better? I totally sympathise with you.

I should add that I didn't have to do a face to face meeting either. I think it's because CAB put so much information on the form.

I'm also on mood stabiliser an antipsychotic some diazepam for panic attacks and sleeping pills.

There's some very good advice on this thread about what the assessors do at the Face to Face and how they observe you and make their assumptions.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3404180-To-ask-for-some-advice-on-DHs-PIP-meeting-tomorrow?pg=1

Ours typed everything throughout the assessment so we couldn't see what she was saying, don't forget to request a copy of the assessor's Report.

@Quiet13 it was my impression at Tribunal that the Judge, GP and Disability Member were very much au fait with DWP's tactics of minimising peoples' conditions, is that correct?

@BlankTimes

Yes we are and very rarely do we even look at the HCP report if I'm honest

@Quiet13,
Thank-you, you do a very good job, it's much appreciated.

Here's something a Tribunal Panel won't see because when it happens they are preparing for their next case.

Whilst we were waiting to go in, the previous person came out with another person and sat and sobbed for a while. She composed herself and then told me she was crying tears of happiness because the panel had been so kind to her and spoken to her as though she was a human being and most importantly, they had listened to what she said.

That, above all had made such an impression on her. Here's a huge thank-you from all of the people who feel that you do listen to them and treat them as human beings, it's such a vast and very welcome contrast after dealing with the DWP.

Thanks Quiet that really helpful 😁

Hope all went well for you!

Yes it went ok, I was crying and shaking and a complete mess, only took 20 mins so don't know if that's a good sign or not?! She kept trying to get me to say words she 'couldnt think of' to describe my condition, I just sat there and my dad answered a lot for me. Just have to wait now and see x

Don't forget to appeal!

My friend went with a benefits adviser, who did all the work filling in the forms and prompting at the assessment. True to form my friend failed the assessment but the benefits adviser is dealing with the appeal entirely, my friend has to do nothing.

Please don't take it to heart if you fail the assessment - as others are saying it is almost always par for the course. Do get in contact with a benefits adviser who should be able to take you through the appeal (and would have accompanied you to the assessment).

Horrible process. It's designed to be, apparently

Well done for getting through the assessment

Just remember to ask for a copy of the report if the assessment doesn't go your way - they're usually filled with a lot of made up stuff if they don't.
My dc's was, and luckily we were able to disprove the lies and get a sensible decision in the end.
Good luck!

I have MS and PTSD.

The MS has started to badly physically disable me over the last few years.

However, the associated depression and anxiety I have with the PTSD is far more disabling for me than my physical symptoms.

If you don't have mental strength, you don't have any strength. I couldn't leave the house with mental problems but I can in my wheelchair if my mental health is fairly stable.

I wish these people would realise just how debilitating mental health problems are.

I wish you luck with your benefit claim.

I am expecting to fail, the woman was WAY too nice and chirpy! Even my Dr said I'd fail and will have to appeal, I'm trying not to worry but it just adds to my already high stress and anxiety levels x