Penalised for buying equipment.

onlymeagain
onlymeagain Community Member Posts: 265 Empowering
edited August 2023 in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
So I've just received a copy of my report. I'm currently on Enhanced Living and Mobility. The assessor has given me 8 points on living and 4 points for Moving Around.
Apart from the claim I said I could cut up steak (I don't eat steak and said so) Do up buttons and fastenings (I said I don't have anything with buttons or fastenings) and can open and sort my own medication (I can't as I cannot get them out those blister things) I can also apparently walk up to 200m.

Standing causes pain, walking just a few steps causes more pain and exhaustion, so I use a wheelchair. I saved my PIP and bought a powerchair (Made especially for me) so hubby didn't have to push me and I could be a bit more free to go where I want in shops. But it seems I'm being penalized because I bought it myself and therefore
 don't need it.

Anyone else had similar issues and did you find a good argument?

Comments

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    Hi @onlymeagain, did you appeal this review? With the multiple inaccuracies you yourself state. A wheelchair/scooter should *not* be counted as an aid/appliance to the mobility section. The question Q14: moving around - Citizens Advice, as shown on the linked page should take into account how you get around without the aid of a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

    I'm sorry this is late, I hope you can get this reviewed if you have not already.
  • onlymeagain
    onlymeagain Community Member Posts: 265 Empowering
    Hi @onlymeagain, did you appeal this review? With the multiple inaccuracies you yourself state. A wheelchair/scooter should *not* be counted as an aid/appliance to the mobility section. The question Q14: moving around - Citizens Advice, as shown on the linked page should take into account how you get around without the aid of a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

    I'm sorry this is late, I hope you can get this reviewed if you have not already.
    Thank you for your reply. Thankfully the DM went with what i had written in my form, evidence i had sent and what the GP had sent them. So i am staying on enhanced for both living and mobility.  I'm not entirely sure if it was the intention of the assessor to write so many conflicting comments or the assessor's lack of knowledge of my condition, luck of understanding of medications, as well as his constant interrupting and one finger typing caused so many errors. I'd like to think it was the latter, but if it is, he should not be doing  assessments. 
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    Glad they didn't listen to that assessment. At least you know now for your next review what to look out for. 
  • onlymeagain
    onlymeagain Community Member Posts: 265 Empowering
    Glad they didn't listen to that assessment. At least you know now for your next review what to look out for. 
    I am hoping after having had Enhanced for around 12 years by then, that the process will be easier. My condition doesn't have a cure and getting better is rare. But who knows, we might have another type of Benefit or assessment by then.