Hi everyone! This is my first time posting and I'm a little nervous, but I have to get this off my chest and hope I can receive some advice from fellow ND folks.
As a brief background, I have been claiming PIP for several years now. Initially I was claiming due to different condition (Anorexia Nervosa) prior to my Autism diagnosis, but after recovery and therapy I was diagnosed with autism (which itself explained the anorexia). I received a PIP review form in March 2024, and it was finally addressed during a phone appointment on the 20th of April this year. I recently received the verdict - 0 in every aspect and my claim immediately closed as of 30th April.
I cannot explain how hurt and afraid I am. Not only was I grossly misunderstood, I feel that the justification was extremely uneducated. The claim assessor frequently referenced that there was "No evidence to suggest a cognitive restriction" regarding certain aspects of my life, is this referencing Autism? I felt like I expressed myself well over the phone as I had spent several days rehearsing and writing notes, however my parents believe that it's likely they misled me with their questions. I did not speak up for myself, I simply answered their questions as that is what I was instructed to do. I do now feel that I should have been less passive and expressed difficulties in areas they did not mention, but I suppose it's too late.
My question to my fellow ND folks, has this happened to you? What evidence were you able to provide that assisted in them changing their minds? I am concerned as PIP was my only source of income, and I do have expenses as I live in a rented accommodation. Fortunately I do have savings but I haven't been able to work for over a year due to agoraphobia (which was also disregarded as I can "leave the house"), and although I am recovering I am not in a position to work without risk of extreme burn out and persistent panic attacks as I cannot use public transport.
I am planning to contact my GP and ask for them to provide proof of my autism as well as other medical history, but I am unsure where else to ask for support. I'm not currently under any specific mental health team or anything like that.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
- Mars