Just got through Pip assessment

[Theodoreb]

I was last awarded hrc for 5 years because of covid they were going to extend it a year but as I now have copd I decided to bring it forward now super anxious that I won't get it or won't get as much.

But I have to say the over the phone consultation was much easier to handle than face to face. So I would advise anyone wanting a review in the near future get it now for the phone call instead of face to face.

Good luck hope you get the amount of PIP you need.

I have Schizoaffective disorder & epilepsy, I had a face to face consultation last September & was turned down for PIP but got the Mobility component for my epilepsy on Mandatory Reconsideration.
My Occupational Therapist said I should've fought to get the care component too but I found the whole process too stressful.
It seems biased against people with MH illness.
Luckily i (struggle to) work part time.

I have schizoaffective as well I got awarded it for five years on hrc I'd re apply if I was you. It's very stressful however you are correct.

I'm glad it went OK for you Theodoreb. I can't use the phone, although on my last assessment they said I regularly chat with my boyfriend by phone. Even more strange that I didn't even have a boyfriend at the time!

Tehmina23, they do bank on people not fighting back, and you're right it's biased against people with MH illness. If we had the strength to fight we wouldn't be claiming in the first place.

I hope you get the right outcome Theodoreb, and you too Tehmina23 on your next renewal.

They used my history of going to uni & having worked as a Staff Nurse against me!
Even though I told them my career ended when I developed psychosis & was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder.

The assessor didn't even seem to know what the disorder is, she thought I had schizophrenia, when I said I didn't then she didn't understand what the problem is.
But I get negative symptoms where I feel very flat & can't function eg wash some days, I never cook, my sister takes care of my money etc.

I also received a threatening letter asking saying they would remove my money, less than a month after they sent me one saying the reapplications are currently suspended so I wouldn't need to worry for another year. PIP haven't a clue how to run a functioning system!

I agree

My daughters said she held her husbands hand throughout. I was with her and she doesn't have a boyfriend never mind a husband and she didn't hold my hand! They awarded her 0 points and at tribunal we got enhanced rate. So I recommend you go to the tribunal if it gets refused.

These stories are terrible @Tehmina23 can I ask what meds you are on please?

I'm on Aripiprazole 30mg which is ok but I keep getting breakthrough symptoms when I'm stressed or tired.

I'm also on Venlafaxine 337.5mg.

Plus two epilepsy meds

@Tehmina23 right thank you for sharing.

I have been advised to apply for PIP due to how my mental health effects my functioning in day to day life but telephoning to start the process is feeling impossible (I really struggle on the phone but face to face would be worse) having panic attacks over even starting the process.

Any of you got any tips on the sort of things I will be asked so I can feel a bit more prepared in my mind? I need to organise myself before I call otherwise I will be a stuttering mess 🙁

@Thecathouse I've been through the pip process for me and in the process of doing it for dc.
You can ask for someone to speak on your behalf dc only confirmed full name, DOB and consent to me speaking on dc behalf.
Things they generally ask for:
National insurance number,
Any input from others eg drs, therapists etc including names and addresses,
Medication,
Any hospital inpatient stays in last year,
Diagnosis,
General condition.
Don't worry to much about going to in depth as you can write it all down on the paperwork they send you. Collect all the documents you can as evidence, start asking professionals to write supporting evidence etc. Also include support you need but don't currently have.
At the moment the assessment takes place over the phone but you can ask someone to answer on your behalf. They were a bit naughty really and didn't inform us of the appointment and just rang dc whom straight away said he couldn't deal with it and passed the phone to me. You could ask them to contact you when someone is present to assist you.
Also note you only have do many weeks to fill in the forms if you think your going to need longer you can ask for an extension.
Ring as soon as you can manage as pip is backdated to the date you applied if your successful.
Best of luck.

My advice is take a copy of everything that you put on the forms and read it through just before they call. Also describe yourself on a really bad day.

@Thecathouse I'm pretty sure you can get PIP without speaking on the telephone as I never have. I also haven't had a face2face review as I was hospitalised at the time and the social worker of the ward was able to speak on my behalf. Good luck!

[quote PurpleFrames]@Thecathouse I'm pretty sure you can get PIP without speaking on the telephone as I never have. I also haven't had a face2face review as I was hospitalised at the time and the social worker of the ward was able to speak on my behalf. Good luck![/quote]
Some people get awarded it on a paper based assesment but most would need a face to face assessment (in normal times ), or currently a phone assessment.

Updating everyone was awarded enhanced care and enhanced mobility(copd) for 4 years I'd say it went brilliantly.