LC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Facts

The appellant, anonymised as LC, claimed personal independence payment. On 15 February 2024 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions made a decision on the claim, and the appellant appealed to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). The appeal was heard at Scarborough, and the tribunal gave its decision on 29 August 2025. The appellant scored 2 points for daily living descriptor 9b, which covers needing prompting to engage with other people face to face. The evidence before the tribunal included the appellant's own account of his ADHD, depression and anxiety. He said he was always supervised in the kitchen and made only microwave meals. He said he showered about once a week and needed his partner to prompt him to wash. He also said he stayed in the same clothes, including for sleeping, for a week at a time. In its statement of reasons, the tribunal recorded that he used a microwave, showered once a week and sometimes slept in his jeans. It also made findings about a holiday in May 2025 and a short-lived Carer's Allowance award from February to May 2025. It gave weight to his ability to care for his partner and referred to an ADHD report from Psychiatry UK. The appellant appealed to the Upper Tribunal after being granted permission. The Secretary of State supported the appeal, and it was decided on the papers.