PIP Mobility for Psychiatric conditions

Hello,

I have been in receipt of PIP since 2013 for my Psychiatric conditions, which are severe and have required secondary services/specialist treatment for almost a decade and treatment before that too.

I live with family and do not leave the house each week apart from to be taken to one appointment each week and for occasional dog walks (again I am driven in a family member's car for these). If someone made an appointment for me (e.g. at the Jobcentre) I would not be able to attend, even if accompanied.

I decided when first claiming PIP not to claim Mobility because even though my Mobility was limited I did not wish to limit it further and to restrict my recovery by stating that my Mobility was limited- which in retrospect was very daft and my medical team at the time did suggest applying for it. As a result I was only awarded Enhanced Care.

My claim was re-assessed in 2017 and again I was awarded Enhanced Care. In December I was sent a letter saying that they had looked at my PIP claim again based on the new legal advice regarding Mobility RE. mental health conditions and had decided that I was not eligible and still scored 4 points. I decided not to rock the boat by appealing this decision, even though I am sure that most people who receive the Standard Mobility component actually leave their houses more often than I do.

I have now been sent another PIP reassessment form and I'm now regretting not having appealed the Mobility decision. Should I send in a letter MR letter? Or appeal? Or should I just leave things as they are?? I am in £5000 debt so obviously 'Mobility' backdated two years would make a big difference.

On the other hand if I put 'No change' for all components of the questionnaire am I less likely to be called for an Assessment (something which I cannot cope with)?? If that's the case I might just keep the 'Care' component and forget about the Mobility component altogether!

What would be best?

Hi BIS and Gordon,

Thanks for your helpful replies.

Yes, the PIP letter was just a month ago so within the 13 month limit but having read your reply Gordon I have decided that I probably did not provide enough evidence to support my need for Mobility PIP in 2017 so I will not appeal that.

I am unsure of whether to claim Mobility this time! My other assessments have been Paper based and I'm concerned that if I claim Mobility I will be called for an assessment which I cannot attend. The nature of my condition means I cannot have visitors to the house either so a Paper review is necessary.

2nd post on 24/01

Just to say also I didn't literally mean that I might write 'No change' and not provide any extra details; just that I would write 'No change', include extra details and a report from my care team/Psychologist.