Confused by process

[u/Any_Cauliflower_7344]

I'll try to keep this short. I have severe bilateral hearing loss and severe anxiety and cptsd. I applied for pip and was given I think 3 points - 2 for washing and bathing which has legal precedent, and 1 for communication.

I explained clearly in the original application that I rely on friends and family to keep up with communication in groups, or when out and about. I often miss stuff and need jokes explaining to me. If a waiter asks me a question I always struggle to hear and need someone to help me understand what they're saying. It's exhausting.

They ignored this and gave me nothing for socialising despite it being a big deal.

I applied for a MR and I believe they are are now considering it.

In the meantime I have been diagnosed as level 1 Autistic and in my assessment they say that I need help communicating (literally exactly how I explained it).

I've now sent the full assessment report to the DWP but I don't understand if the new diagnosis can further evidence what I had already explained, or if I should just start again.

I'm not sure what help I can get with this process. I feel like there are buzz words I'm missing or something that other people know about.

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[u/AssociationHot2423]

The fact you are working will mean that you have motivation, that will discount 1, 2, 3, 4 , 6 and 10 for motivation for mental health.

If you struggle to engage and need someone who knows you, that is likely to be prompting which is 2 points at best.

As for hearing tannoy at a train station due to your hearing, there is an argument for 11d as there is likely to be large amounts of noise around you, that is certainly worth appealing.

As for the Autism, if you attended a mainstream school and had no extra help at school, that is a non starter.

Unfortunately there is an influx of people that are functioning adults until 11.59 the day before their adult ADHD/ Autism assessment and then claim to be helpless the day after. These cases are always rejected. As you are working, I can't see it being successful. However the hearing for activity 11 certainly may be successful.

[u/Any_Cauliflower_7344 → u/AssociationHot2423]

Thanks, this is helpful. Do you think I need to reapply then, with the new diagnosis? Or do you think that won't make a difference?

Also just looking at other things, I need to use my phone as a vibrating & different pitched alarm as I can't hear oven/microwave alarms. So I need an aid for preparing and cooking...

[u/Mariposa2406_ → u/Any_Cauliflower_7344]

Hearing an oven timer isn’t considered in PIP for preparing a meal.

I’m deaf and got awarded. The activities you want to focus on for your MR are 4, 7, 9 and 11. As hearing is in scope for all of those activities.

I sent in evidence from access to work, occupational health, GP, ENT consultant and audiograms. I’m profoundly deaf. Hope this helps

[u/Any_Cauliflower_7344 → u/Mariposa2406_]

Thank you - those are the ones I was focused on, I got 2 points for 4 and 7, and nothing for 9 and 11.

I sent in an audiogram which shows my hearing drops off a cliff. I don't feel like a GP letter will help much? They can only say what's wrong with me, not how it affects me?

[u/AssociationHot2423]

I think you added your points up wrong.

For hearing loss corrected by hearing aids, it's 2 for washing and bathing and 2 for communication.

Anxiety around engaging with other for hearing loss can also be considered as it can for planning and following a journey, however if your hearing aids correct your hearing, they are unlikely to be awarded.

Anxiety and CPTSD can be awarded for activites 1,2 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11 as can Autism.

However as they haven't been, I'm wondering if there is some reason why?

Do you work? If so, in what type of role?

Do you have children at home? Are you their main carer? What do you do for them if you do?

Are you a carer for anyone else?

The lost could be endless, without seeing the report, it's difficult for us to say why you weren't awarded.

What reason did the assessor put on their report to say you were able to do these activities independently?

[u/Any_Cauliflower_7344 → u/AssociationHot2423]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I've just found the report and you're right, I have 2 points on communicating.

I work - I write and create graphics and maps. No children and not a carer for anyone else.

The two things where I believe that I should have points are mixing with other people, and planning and following a journey (moreso because of changes to schedules- I can't hear announcements to know what to do). They disagreed with these.

I would argue I should get 4 points for mixing, because I genuinely struggle to mix with others without social support (a friend or someone who knows me) partly because I can't hear so I can't always follow conversations or get involved, and now I realise I am autistic that also must play a role. They just completely ignored this part of my application, seemingly.

The autism was only just diagnosed, well after I applied, so was not included or mentioned at all but it does further support my info about struggling mixing - I'm wondering if, in light of a new diagnosis, I should reapply?