Pip telephone assessment

[Anniewayte91]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone has recently had a telephone pip assessment and how it went?

I had mine yesterday and my mum and sister spoke for me as I could not due to my anxiety. I have a long history of anxiety and depression since being 13, medical records to prove this.

my assessor seemed nice enough but the unknown of what is going to happen now is sending me into a frenzy. I’ve heard all sorts of horror stories about assessors lying etc. he asked me a lot of questions about physical mobility which I didn’t get as my application is for mental health? He also asked things like did I talk to my neighbours, which I found odd.

anyway I was just wanting to hear if anyone had any positive experiences with PIP and mental health. 😁

I had one recently and it was fine, it took less than an hour and they sent a copy of the assessor’s report within a few days. The decision letter took longer to arrive but it matched the original assessment and everything was okay. This was a renewal. Good luck.

I had one a couple of years ago and my support worker helped me through it. My claim went through with no issues - mostly MH but I also have mobility issues although I wasn't awarded anything for that.

I was recently awarded pip at standard rate for daily living and enhanced rate mobility. I have severe anxiety and OCD. I also have other mobility problems die to chronic pain. I had a text to say I was awarded so they will let you know when they've made a decision. I really wasn't hopeful as some of the he things I'd read said I would no way get it first time around but I did.. the fact your mum and sister had to speak for you will show them how severe your anxiety is and hopefully will stand you in good stead. Let us know how you get on x

Do you mind me asking what yours was for? And if you were awarded anything? Mine was based on my absolute worst days which are more frequent these days. Just worried my medical evidence from the doctors isn’t enough, it’s just my doctors notes from every appointment I’ve had and medication etc

Just to add I had barely any medical evidence, only medications and my word. They never asked me for any actual hard copies of evidence. I assume they contacted my GP to ask but who knows really. So you don't even always need a diagnosis or heaps of evidence to be successful for a pip claim. Maybe I just got lucky with my assessor. He was very thorough.

Oh wow! That’s amazing that you got it first time! I answered a few questions but had to leave the room at one point. I also have ocd and he spoke a lot about that. I also have asthma which isn’t controlled which was mentioned. I’m just worried they will take me being self employed against me even though it is all mainly internet based. X

Yeah I honestly believe it’s which assessor you get! Do you mind me asking which medication you are on? I’m currently in sertraline but have had several other medications in the past x

The questions are standard for whatever condition. MH issues can impact your ability to self care and to go out and about. The assessment report is supplementary to the medical records and application form. You should get a text update shortly advising you that a decision letter will be sent within eight weeks. However they may call to verify your id in the meantime.

I had one recently, the assessor was nice enough, I thought. But then when I got my letter I was refused and her report was the complete opposite of anything I said. It was as if they hadn’t even read my forms or evidence or listened to anything o said. To be fair, the report only took a couple of weeks to come through.

I have appealed, and the person I spoke to for it was really nice.

yhis is for chronic pain and MH issues.

fingers crossed for you OP X

Yes heard so many things about this! Apparently they’re nice to make you feel at ease and try trip you up. X

Hope you recorded it.. because if you don't get it via something untrue.. it's his word against yours.

They will ask about whether you speak to you neighbours because they are trying to build up a picture of whether you can engage with others which is one of the key descriptors for mental health.

Also you don't get PIP on what is wrong with you.. but how your mental / physical disabilities effect you..
My friend has cancer and got turned down because she can do everything for herself and doesn't need help.

PIP is also not awarded just on your worst day, it is based on how your condition affects you on the majority of days. Sorry for some reason the ' quote' option is not working for me today.

They asked me if I speak to me neighbours and I said yes I have one neighbour I speak to and trust and they was fine with that. I still got awarded. Granted, I can't go out alone, and my DH has to help me alot with day to day tasks due to my mental health and physical health. Try not to overthink it, you will drive yourself bonkers.

I can’t leave the house with someone with me. I have panic attacks and have known to pass out when I attempt to go out. I don’t dare drive anymore due to paranoia and the anxiety of something happening. Been like this since I was 13 I’m now 30. Hopefully goes in my favour because it would be a big financial burden lifted.

0 points for everything :) apparently sertraline isn’t a good enough anti depressant medication and I can apparently go on unfamiliar journeys by myself even though I was never asked that question. I also apparently spoke fine to the assessor even though my mum and sister spoke for me. Got to laugh or I’ll cry

Sorry to hear this, I highly recommend https://pipps.co.uk/ for help with a mandatory consideration and the appeal process. I can’t remember how much it costs but it was worth it not only financially but because they bore the brunt of the effort of it all.

You would have filled in the section on the form regarding unfamiliar journeys though so they would have had information from there? I think if they awarded to everyone on Sertraline it would just be unsustainable. Are you having any therapies/ counselling etc?

If that happens you can submit a MR with evidence to back up why you think you should haven scored points on each descriptor. The evidence speaks the loudest.

Go to a MR but do this in writing. Take the break down they have given and resubmit your evidence to show how they are incorrect.

i also answered all the other questions on the form too. Well I had to have sertraline due to having an ambulance called on the last high dosage medication the doctors put me on. No I don’t because I’m too afraid to leave the house to have therapy.

There are lots of online therapies available - would that be too much. The most important thing for an MR is sending relevant medical evidence. As pp advised, address each descriptor where you feel you should have scored points and didn't and provide medical evidence to back it up.

Provided medical evidence for everything and unfortunately I’m not in a position to afford online therapy.

Sorry OP to jump on this thread, but I read your comment about therapy. I just wanted to say that the NHS does offer therapy over the phone too so might be worth getting in touch with your GP.