Jeanine Canzius v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Facts

Jeanine Canzius claimed personal independence payment (PIP). On 2 March 2024 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions decided that she was not entitled to either component. Her appeal was dismissed by the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), sitting at Fox Court, London, in a decision dated 23 April 2025. The only points it awarded were 2 points under daily living descriptor 5b, for needing an aid or appliance to manage toilet needs or incontinence. The appellant's condition caused faecal soiling. She also reported anxiety and depression. The FTT treated the anxiety and depression as "post-decision" because she had not consulted her GP about them until 17 April 2024. It also found that her broadly stable weight and her choice of foods, such as chocolate, nuts and cheese, were inconsistent with her account of her bowel symptoms. The appellant was granted permission to appeal on grounds of procedural unfairness, wrongful dismissal of her mental health evidence, failure to apply the correct legal tests to daily living activities 1, 4 and 9 and mobility activity 1, and reliance on irrelevant matters without proper investigation. The Secretary of State supported the appeal. Neither party asked for a hearing, and the Upper Tribunal decided the appeal on the papers.