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Freedom pass question urgent:

Anthony1234

I need some advice urgently regarding freedom pass assessment. I'm on the enhanced pip. But unfortunately I only scored 4 points for moving around mobility. I have a assessment over the phone with freedom pass a OT and physiotherapist will be asking me questions abt my moving around. Its awful cause I only scored 4 points in the moving around.

Can anyone suggest what I do here? Do I cancel it cause it undermined my PIP Award or do I go through this humiliation and possibly fail it. Does anyone know what freedom pass ask????

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Comments

Danlangridge88

It doesn't matter about how many points you scored on PIP or whether you have PIP or not (although I guess it could help as evidence). I got my freedom pass before I even applied for PIP but I guess it depends on your circumstances and eligibility. If you don't mind me asking, what grounds are you applying for it from? Also some councils still issue a discretionary pass if you don't fully meet the eligibility criteria so it's worth it..

Anthony1234

Hi Dangridge88.

Thank you for yr quick response I so appreciate it.. As my assement is tomorrow. No I only scored moving around 4 points so I can walk upto 50 metres but not more than 200 metres which is a size of a football field without feeling out of breath etc 8 points on not being able to walk upto 50 metres. Can you explain the discretionary freedom. Pass how it works?? And this assessment at 11am Fp will be actually asking when they know my mobility and scoring??? What do I go for??? I'm confused 😕

Ziggy123

I was awarded a discretionary freedom pass for my mobility by my local council in 2009. I was awarded PIP, standard mobility 3 weeks ago. So basically i've had a disabled persons freedom pass for 15 years and PIP for 3 weeks. Firstly try not to stress. These people are not the DWP, they have nothing to do with the DWP. In my experience , the OT are nice and just want to know how your mobility affects you. They will ask you about how far you can walk, do you use any aids to walk, does someone help you with shopping etc. Talk about any pain, fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety etc you feel when walking. Say how a pass will make a difference to your life, in my case it gave me the confidence to leave my home. In short, just be honest. Also you say you scored points for not being able to walk more than 200 meters. Remember , and i mean this in a nice way, that is still not normal. A healthy person would be able to walk far further than that. Like i said, these people are not the dwp, they are far nicer and just want to see if you fulfil the criteria for the pass. Hope this helps and good luck for your assessment.

JW77

When I lived in Haringey (its only called a Freedom pass in London I think) I did get a freedom pass on council discretion only.
Basically said WHY I needed a freedom pass as well as the disability aspect, ie for my freedom, mental wellbeing etc
Basically, what Ziggy said :)

Anthony1234

ZIGGY123 Thank you sooo much for giving me the confidence to go for it. Ziggy123. You have been an absolute God send 🙌 I really appreciate it. I've not been sleeping worrying awake all night it's like going for an exam and I haven't revised for it Lol . Cause I don't know what they will be asking. I will use yr advise and thank you sooo much again. I'm praying I'll be alright.

Danlangridge88

There's no particular way the discretionary one works. It's basically up to the council if they decide to give you one even if you don't quite fulfil the criteria. But yeah it really isn't that scary!! Good luck

Faithlong

hi, I didn’t even mention PIP, I was given the freedom pass based on my GP report!

Ziggy123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/934067#Comment_934067

Oh bless you. Honestly ,just take a breather and focus and do the best you can. Worse case scenario, if they don't give it to you, then take your time, get your evidence together and reapply. This is not the DWP, and the fact that they are giving you an assessment means that they think your likely entitled to one. Good luck.

mizuno

I have had Freedom pass for 20 years. The recent one I said I could not drive because of my mental illness. My PIP mobility was standard always and score 0 for walking.

Ostia

Hello and good luck with the assessment.

My council in London wrote to me to offer a renewed pass! Using discretionary criteria that my powers of concentration were so poor that I would not be awarded a driving licence if I applied for one.

The criteria for awarding passes should be on your council website ...have a look under Travel Services...

Hope it goes well x

Faithlong

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/934272#Comment_934272

does that mean you’re not aloud to get a driving licence if you wanted to?

Ostia

I am not able to and don't want to either!! Because I know I would not be a safe driver.