PIP decision

[Babyaj2k11]

Hi all, I've had my assessment for pip last week, it was a trainee so she said it would take longer and have to be checked by her boss. So I still haven't had the text to say dwp has received it which means I can't yet request a copy.
I'm so anxious about getting denied and having to go through tribunal etc
I suffer severe OCD and have done since childhood, as long as I can't remember. Never claimed anything for it as never thought I would qualify, also means I don't work. Last at universal credit suggested me claiming so I gave it a go, now I'm just so anxious and second guessing everything I said to them. The assessment itself was as awful as I expected, they last was nice but I just ended up in tears when describing how it affects me, and how long it's had a hold of my life. It really hit me that this is all I have ever known, and I haven't lived a normal life. I don't go out, socialize, work or even just walk down the street.
Has anybody else claimed pip for OCD? What was the outcome?
TIA

I had my PIP assessment last week.

I found it strange that most of the questions centred around my schooling. They did then ask about my job timeline from school up to the present, but I found lots of questions relating to schooling strange.

Any idea why?

Questions were stuff like, did I receive any help at school, aids for reading/exams, nental health support, etc. did I do GCSEs, A Levels, etc.

Followed by wanting to know each job I'd had since school, how long I stayed, why I left, how I got there, etc.

(In answer I basically said it was all a long time ago so I couldn't remember all the specifics for each question, though I did my best, but my condition has deteriorated hugely since 2020 so prior to that, it wasn't really relevant anyway.)

Just for context, I'm claiming for, anxiety, depression, TICs, and possible AUDHD.

I said that I'd had symptoms for as long as I could remember, but official diagnoses didn't start until 2020.

(Sorry for the thread hijack OP. I hope you get the award.)

Don't worry about it, hopefully you can get some help on here too. I also had the questions around school which I thought that was odd as well. Fingers crossed for you xx

Yep, it’s because of the mention of autism and/or ADHD.

They will have been getting that background to work out whether you coped ok at school and in the workplace, passed mainstream exams with no help etc.

The DWP believes that these things speak to your general organisation skills, social skills, ability to prioritise, to cope in a workplace (travel, colleagues, public interaction etc).

That way if you go on to say that you find reading hard, you’ve already said you passed GCSEs with no help. Or if you speak about anxiety engaging with others but have told them you worked in Tesco, you’ve contradicted yourself.

Hope that makes sense!

Do you enjoy your job?
Appreciate you're probably just telling it how it is but is there no case for the complexity of a situation - people are complex, this sounds utterly debilitating

The thing is someone may have managed to cope or work before but now be so bad that they're unable to do so now due to worsening of symptoms or new ones that have developed over time. You have to be honest about how you're affected but unfortunately people are usually feeling so bad by the time they apply that they just can't cope with getting it across on the very complicated form, it can be just too much. Ideally you need evidence from doctors, mental health teams or psychiatrist to back up your claim. When I had mine I just found it really hard to get it across to the very unsympathetic assessor and when I saw the report he had completely disregarded a lot of what I'd said or twisted it. I did appeal after reading the guides on Benefit and Work because I knew he was wrong and I was angry and that I was entitled to the support. I know how hard it is and I hope you have someone who can support you with it and also get evidence from professionals. Luckily I had quite a thick file from doctor and psychiatrist and was successful. It's been such a help ( I have depression anxiety OCD and also agoraphobia to quite an extent so if I have to go anywhere I need to get a taxi as I can't cope with buses and lots of people and can't drive) so that's an expense. Even though I don't want to I still have to visit the doctor or dentist etc and things like that.
I really wish for you that you it works out and if not you can find the help and strength to appeal as they are often successful if you do have a good case. I'm sure there are some good assessors but some of them are awful and just don't listen.

Just to add I didn't have to go to a tribunal. I rang them up to complain about how the assessor hadn't actually written what I'd said truthfully and sent in all my medical records. I got a phone call back saying that having looked at it again they were now awarding it to me

Not to worries you, but hopefully just to give you some expectation. Your report may well say different to what you told them. I didn’t believe they would actually lie on the reports, until I was in an assessment (not mine) and then read the report when it came out. I was shocked. I have heard them awarding it depends on how many they have already done that period, but don’t know how true that is.
Good news is though, there is a 30% chance of successfully challenging a decision a mandatory reconsideration, and then if that doesn’t happen, then the chance of successfully challenging it at tribunal is 75%.

Hi I'm original OP so sorry I know your post wasn't directed to me but just wanted to ask you if you got any points for going out section, as the pip assessor above have advised that I won't get any, I don't go anywhere, the only outing I've had in the last 6 months has been to the doctor's, and I had to go in my mum's car, I won't use taxis or buses etc
I did tell the assessor on my assessment call but feel as though it's probably not going to make a difference xxx

Thankyou, it's been a week since my assessment and I haven't heard from dwp that they have received it yet so unsure if I could get a copy of it at this point xx

My comments to the OP here are really brief and simple as they’re based on the bare bones of info I have to go on, that’s all. 😊

I do enjoy my job most days, yeah. It pays me well, the hours are ideal for me and I have many benefits that frontline workers in my profession don’t get.

With respect, and I really do appreciate your honesty in how you think I will score, it does seem that all assessors can only go off of basic bare bones info, as I said I don't go out, don't socialize or work, and I won't score points on "going out" because the only thing stopping me is mental, not physical, so that is very one size fits all approach and basically saying my struggles don't count. Well that's how it feels anyway xx

That’s not necessarily true RE going out. There is a specific activity (12) for mobility issues, which you correctly will get zero points for. But activity 11 looks at the psychological impact of going out. It’s just that the bar for scoring is very high and simple anxiety, a feeling of unease or worry etc won’t be enough.

Lots of things aren’t considered in PIP, which people disagree with (off the top of my head, things like having to sit to dress, eating only snacks and no meals, dental issues, any religious/cultural norms, not being able to walk to the toilet fast enough). The DWP don’t consider any of those things.

But if there is a section for pyschological impact of socializing or going out then why do they make it so hard to score points on...if someone would rather never go anywhere or do simple tasks like going to the shops the surely they are avoiding such things as huge psychological impact. It's not just feeling anxious, it's full blown panic attacks where you ant breathe. I'm not trying to be argumentative I just don't understand why they have the section but then don't actually seem to want to score you on it x

The section is high to score on because almost everyone reports anxiety. But people fail to realise that anxiety is a normal emotion that we’re programmed to feel in certain situations. It’s expected that if people feel some anxiety they develop coping mechanisms, do self management techniques etc.

The government couldn’t cope if they gave benefits to everyone who reported any anxiety when they go on a bus or feeling nauseous when they are in a busy shop. It’s far too common a complaint, so they need to be selective and reserve that section for people who are at the most extreme end of the scale.

For context, this would generally look like someone vomiting, running into traffic in a panic, hiding under a bed at home to avoid going out, screaming in terror, putting others at risk. It’s very rare that someone is like that. You also generally need to have documentation to prove that you’re impacted to this level.

@PIPnamechanged your last paragraph could easily apply to someone autistic - but they wouldnt have documentation.

It depends on age, I’ve found. Younger people often have current or fairly recent EHCPs, letters from educational psychology etc.

Adults though, it’s rare. Maybe a diagnosis letter only.

Hi I'm not sure who your post was for but for me yes I did get points for the not being able to go out. Like you I've only been out twice in the last 6; months or more really, doctors and dentist. I totally understand you about it not being just feeling a bit anxious, it's a major overwhelming panic attack and also needing someone to go with you because you're so scared of collapsing or something awful. I nearly jumped out of the taxi last time I was so panicky. I've probably only been out a handful of times in the last few years. Look at the guides on making a PIP claim which will help with how to word things, it makes all the difference.

Thankyou for that I'm sad you have the same problems as me but it is also kind of nice to know there is other people with the same struggles, although I wouldn't not wish it on anyone. I was advised to claim after being awarded lwca from universal credit in September, I have never claimed anything my husband works but he's self employed so very flexible to my needs, rising cost of living etc push him to claim universal credit which in turn they wanted to know what I was doing...I've never worked, which sounds bad but is just the sad reality of how long I've suffered with this. I never thought I would be granted pip as I've read articles in the past of terminally ill people not being awarded, but I've gave it my best shot, I've been honest and tried to give them everything I can. Now knowing that more than likely I was correct and won't be awarded is hard, it's as if they don't believe your struggles or think you should just be getting on with it xx

Wait and see what the result is, it's not the end of the line if you get turned down first time. I know how stressful the whole thing is, it kind of makes you not want to try because it's so exhausting and worrying but hold on to some hope. You might be lucky and get accepted first try, I really hope so 🤞🤗 x Do keep us updated x

Thankyou I will let you all know when I receive a decision, thankyou for caring and all understanding xx

Good luck 💐

@PIPnamechanged what would that mean for you if you were assessing an autistic adult with this but they had no paperwork?

It’s difficult. We’d look at the whole picture as much as possible, but it’s so varied depending on their current age.

• schooling - how they did, any extra input? any further education?
• are they living independently?
• hobbies
• are they holding down a job? Are there any adjustments?
• are they a parent? Caring for a child is a huge indicator of independence.
• their general demeanour at the assessment
• is their diagnosis from a medical professional or was it “my friend said I have it so I did a test online”? This is extremely common and obviously not something we can consider as a genuine diagnosis.

That list isn’t exhaustive of course.

Good luck . It really sounds like you should get it .
The application process itself is so stressful. That can't have been easy .

Thankyou, judging from what the pip advisor about has said I am very doubtful. It's been really stressful time also due to be homeless if I don't get an offer from the council soon. Really tough time at the moment x