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Feeling uneasy about support with pip application

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8 years 10 months ago #135053 by Chlorinated
Replied by Chlorinated on topic Feeling uneasy about support with pip application
Hi Gordon

I'm not sure if you answered my question.

When I use public transport or private transport I will get symptoms during and after the journey which is why I avoid these the majority of the time. likewise I avoid cars.

Since the journey to the assessment centre is a one off, it will show that I did it just a minority occasion. that should not contradict the descriptor which is a based on the majority time right?

The question was, how do I convince the assessor that it was a one off? If I have a doctors letter saying that I have problems using public transport will that be sufficient(even though I turned up) or do I need to specifically go there and explain myself?

I could try to get the doctors letter, get a home visit etc but is it really worth doing this just to show that you cannot use public transport. Surely its more logical that someone is willing to suffer for a day in order to get this whole pip assessment completed.

Or would you advise maybe trying to get a home visit?

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8 years 10 months ago #135063 by Gordon
Amonia

With respect I believe that I answered your question in my last post.

By attending you are turning a situation that you can never do something to one where you can do it under certain circumstances, it may be that you can explain this because you have taken actions that it would not be reasonable for you to do any more often than infrequently (see my previous post), however you achieve it, you will need to explain it to the assessor how or risk then making assumptions as to your capabilities.

If your doctor is prepared to state that you require a home assessment and why this is the case, then it would seem to me that it would be to your advantage to take them up on it, of course, whether a home assessment is granted is still at the discretion of the Assessment Provider.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • ken
8 years 10 months ago #135076 by ken
I had a similar experience with my 'advisor'.
I ignored what he said and did what my experience and gut, and sites like this also, tell me to do.
I still failed, but at least I failed knowing I had tried - and that I can appeal knowing I can point out what they failed to look at, rather than giving IDS the satisfaction of being able to say people only win appeals because they introduce new evidence at the last minute.
I cannot say what you should do, that is up to you - if it was me though, I would follow my gut instinct, if something feels wrong, it probably is.

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8 years 10 months ago #135078 by Chlorinated
Replied by Chlorinated on topic Feeling uneasy about support with pip application
Hi Gordon. Sorry to keep going on about this. If ok, I just want to be sure that I have understood you correctly.

1. You are saying, If I make the journey to the assessment centre, provided I explain in my pip form and/or to the assessor that frequent journeys are unreasonable because I cannot be expected to endure my symptoms frequently (mental symptoms which occur during and after the journey), then I should be able to satisfy the descriptor .- cannot make any journey due to overwhelming psychological distress.
Have I understood you correctly?

2. If somebody cannot use public transport majority of the time, which descriptor do the satisfy from planning and making journeys(d,e or none)? your guide says that descriptor e is unlikely to be given to anybody who attends a medical assessment/appointments. d is for people who need a person, aid etc with them during the journey. What about people who cannot use public transport and the presence of an aid or person will not make a difference i.e. they will avoid the journey regardless of whether someone is present. Do they satisfy any descriptors/can they still get 10 points?

3. If want a home visit, will the DWP accept the home visit request letter from my social worker (who works with my doctor) or must it be a doctors letter?

Thanks.

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8 years 10 months ago #135090 by Gordon
Amonia

To answer your questions.

Have I understood you correctly?

To be honest no! You've changed the context of question, but I will try and answer both!!!

What I was saying in answer to your original question was that you need to explain how you can manage a trip to the assessment centre when you state on your form that you cannot do this. You will need to decide why you can do this, I've offered some reasons in previous posts that may be applicable, the point I am trying to make is that you will be asked about this, so you need to have prepared an answer.

If you are trying to show that you meet the criteria for Descriptor 13(e)

Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.


Then you need to show that you meet both of the elements required by the Descriptor. First you need to show that you "cannot undertake any journey". It is reasonable, given that Descriptors must apply for the majority of the time to argue that "any" does not mean never, however, you will have to show that you are restricted for far more than the majority of the time and that you undertaking a journey is a rarity.

Secondly, you need to show that undertaking a journey causes you "overwhelming psychological distress", it is important that you pay attention to the word "overwhelming", I can't give you a definitive clear definition of what is meant by this but you should assume that this is far more than what might be assumed by just "psychological distress".

2. The use of public transport is covered in the DWP guidance in connection with an unfamiliar journey and would therefore be covered by 13(d).

3. You can try, the person writing the request needs to provide credible reasons why the claimant cannot attend, I don't see any particular reason why this cannot be your Social Worker, but I think they would need to refer to medical evidence produced by your doctor in the letter.

Gordon

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  • ken
8 years 10 months ago #135112 by ken
Depends on if the assessor is honest really.
You can explain it, but if they are a usual atos assessor they will ignore what you say.
You might get lucky and get a honest one though, but dont bank on it.

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