PIP and agoraphobia

Forum readers may remember that I have posted before about my claim for PIP for anxiety and agoraphobia. I thought I'd provide an update in case it was of use.

I was turned down by DWP initially - being awarded 4 points for planning a journey - and asked for a mandatory reconsideration. Again I was turned down. Based on initial advice from Citizen's Advice I asked for a tribunal and again the DWP had to review the case and again they have turned it down. So the next stage was supposed to be the tribunal.

However, Citizens Advice have now undertaken a thorough review of my case and all the paperwork from DWP and say that I am very unlikely to win.

Essentially, it all revolves around the level of agoraphobia. I am not totally house-bound. I can leave the house for short journeys of 200 or 300 yards or so in order to make it to local shops/pub. With the use of short-term anti-anxiety meds I can undertake, with some difficulty, trips to the local hospital (1 and a bit miles) and on very good days a trip to the main town (3 miles). I have not been outside this boundary for 5 years. In a sense I am lucky as I know of agoraphobics who are far worse and it is well known that everyone with this illness has a spectrum of distances they can manage.

In order to get the necessary 8 or 10 points on 'planning and following a journey' (i have no other conditions) the DWP says one must not be able to "undertake any journey". I have been through this with CAB and they say it is very clear in law - the word 'any' means 'any' and as I can leave the home at all then I won't get the points. Even a 50 metre trip to the newsagent would count as leaving the home.

This seems deeply unfair to agoraphobics who all have a spectrum of the illness, but it looks like there is little point in pressing on.

Obviously I am hacked off as my family needs the additional money and in particular since the benefits officer of a leading charity told me I should apply as I would be eligible for PIP.