PIP review

Thanks Gordon. I thought with a review, the decision maker could make a decision on paper before it goes to AP. This is what seemed to be happening until I got the call back.

Can you tell me if the outcomes are significantly % worse for a paper assessment with an AP vs face to face?

I realise it's dependent on the case.

Sorry to go on...

My understanding was the decision maker makes the decision! They look at the evidence in your case. An assessor can be involved, but it is not always necessary, but even if they are, the decision maker makes the final decision.

I've provided a mountain of evidence from professionals with experience that is relevant to my condition. I'm confident that all the descriptors (apart from moving about perhaps*) can be addressed by a layperson from this evidence and my answers.

So (from my view) getting an AP involved equates to acquiring evidence from a person with vastly less relevant experience and qualification to judge, than those who have already supplied evidence. (Unless they've started appointing internationally recognised clinical psychologists as HPs?) At my Tribunal the DWP decision based on a therapists opinion was overturned by a judge and two doctors based on "the weight of evidence" I had provided in the first place! This is without any involvement from myself. Since Aspergers is lifelong and is the cause of my issues surely the Tribunal outcome therefore cannot simply be ignored and superceded by a HP who supplants concrete evidence with 'casual observation'?

*The moving about descriptor is perhaps the issue, but the case manager wouldn't tell me why he had changed his mind about making a paper decision. I strongly believe I qualify for points for moving around, but to not to put too fine a point on it, I'm having suicidal ideation, and I'm not sure at the moment, but I might rather make sacrifices than be sacrificed. I am speaking to a manager about this next week. I hope and pray it's not too late, and something can be done to avoid F2F..

I am so sorry to go on, because of my Aspergesr I ruminate constnalty about everything and I can feel the depression taking hold.

Thank you for your tireless support.

Hi Gary,

I understand very well what the Going Out and Moving About activities are about. I've given volumes of evidence, including statements from my GP, support worker, more of the sam on my previous PIP and consultant letters, documentation confirming/corroborating everything, and I pleaded for a paper assessment to avoid harm to myself from a F2F.

The problem is the CM phoned and after a cordial few questions told me had enough information to make a decision, then phoned back later and abruptly said "I'm not medically trained" and I'd have to have a F2F. I pleaded for the CM to contact my GP, psychologist, support worker, ask me any question, do ANYTHING. He just went right ahead and said he would contact the AP immediately. Toward the end of this conversation, it became apparent that he hadn't read the support letter from my GP.

It might be I'd rather he put a 0 for the tick box he was struggling with so I can move on with my life, even if it's wrong and I clearly do qualify. I am having some very dark thoughts right now.

Is there any avenue left for me? I have a manager contacting me. I'm going to ask if they can get somebody different to look at my case, if the manager will discuss the problem descriptors with me, if a complaint would help these objectives... but I fear the person has forwarded stuff to the AP. I believe I'm on the vulnerable persons register.