PIP Going out dilemma

Dear Gordon and colleagues,
The question is about PIP GOING OUT, my son suffers with social anxiety disorder, depression, panic attacks etc. and is due a PIP review and we are starting to prepare for this, we have noticed something incorrect that I regret not seeing as we were pleased to receive the award at the time but now realise he could have possibly scored 12 points rather than the 10 given.
We said in the 2017 form that for example: - “that my son needs prompting to go out in public and is unable to undertake any journey unsupported whether it be familiar or unfamiliar” Etc. and his doctor went through the PIP tick boxes [from your members area] and he ticked the following: -
Doctor ticked boxes GOING OUT B, C, D & F, but the award that my son received was for descriptor E [you can’t undertake any journey because it would cause you significant mental distress] 10 points so surely, he should have been awarded F [Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid] 12 points?

Now his needs have not changed and he needs prompting and myself to be with him so again this time things are much the same to put into the review form,
The original form was in Aug. 2017 [during this time we had a few questions from the PIP over the phone] and took them until Feb 2018 for us to receive the award letter, in the award letter it says” The phone call to your appointee confirmed you cannot go out alone and only go out once or twice a week due to anxiety. Although you reported a restriction with planning a journey, there is no evidence of a cognitive impairment”. have you any thoughts on what we should do? And one last question, as I am filling out my sons form for him should I word it as if my son is filling it out e.g. “I do need” or explain that I [his mother] is doing it e.g. “he does need”?
Thank you so much for any help

Gordon wrote: BODGE

Descriptors (e) and (f) (and (d)) are considered to be mutually exclusive.

If you are unable to undertake a journey (leave your home) then any problems that you might have following a route cannot be considered, conversely, if you have problems following a route then by definition you must have left your house.

Your problem if (e) has been awarded is that arguing for (f) fundamentally undermines the reasons why he has the current award and it would be easy to lose that award as a result.

The test is what he can reliably do on the majority of days.

To meet (f) if he has no sensory or cognitive issues he will need to show that he suffers overwhelming psychological distress when out and this OPD prevents him from following the route. Anxiety and distress are unlikely to be considered as meeting the standard for OPD.

Gordon

Hi, so the award was given because my son could not go out for the majority of days i.e. went out only once or twice because it would cause you significant mental distress? E [you can’t undertake any journey because it would cause you significant mental distress] 10 points, or can’t go out at all i.e. stays in for all seven days,
Thank you again,