PIP form, question 13c and agoraphobia

Anyone have any thoughts or experiences of handling question 13c on new PIP form? This is the one about being unable to go out because of severe anxiety.

I have agoraphobia and so this is a key question for me. But not sure about the boxes which say 'Yes', 'No', 'Sometimes'. Like most anxiety conditions agoraphobia can vary, so what's the best approach?

cheers

PD

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

The best approach is to state how it is pertaining to your own limitations, rather than feeling obliged to use any of the tick box options.

The guidance states that you should answer on how you are for the majority of the time gauged over a 12 months period.

Therefore, if you feel that your limitations affect you for the majority of the time, as above, it is fine to tick "Yes" then go into detail.

If you feel that none of the tick box options are applicable, then state this and go into detail below in the text box or on added A4 pages.

Also, to be assessed as being able to carry out any of the actions, you must be able to do so "Reliably".

"Reliably" is a very important aspect of PIP, as you will see from the bottom of Page 14 of our PIP Claims Guide, as below.

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

Agoraphobia is mentioned at the bottom of Page 50.

Have a read through from Page 43 onwards, as well.

Variable conditions are addressed from Page 17 onwards.

You may also like to take our PIP Self Test, if you have not already done so :

PIP information, including PIP Self Test

There is further information on PIP in The Spotlights Area :

PIP Topic Thread in Spotlight Area

Hope this helps.

bro58

Hi Bro58

Great answer - many thanks.