DLA to PiP

village

just recently reported a C.o.C to the DWP, long story short I’ve improved, mainly mobility.

It’s being treated as a new claim as all my information is a bit out of date I’m on pain management but recently say the last 6 months my pain has decreased (I don’t know why) allowing me to maintain a steady walk without having to stop/pause I can cover 50/200m sometimes more, I am used to nerve pain it’s been with me for 16 years never a day goes by where it doesn’t raise its head, don’t get me wrong I’m really happy with the lessoning, I really fear they could be short lived so I’m wrapping myself in cotton wool a little, my dr does not want to alter my medication too early as it could be that that’s maintaining the releaf.

As I look at the PIP form I’ve realised that I don’t get enough points ( did a points test on another forum) possibly for both moving around and care, the form is totally different the DLA form its more about how you look after yourself and mental health restricting your life, not so much the physical so I’m woundering if I should just not bother putting myself through all the stress of the application in the first place, stress and pain are linked am on a good place at the moment & I don’t want to rock the boat.

I don’t want to get into one dr says this one says that or if I can walk 51 meters or 200 meters been there before.

We have a wet room so I just shuffle in I use handle wash scrub’s and my wife helps with drying & my socks shoes I drive occasionally so can follow routes I don’t have a problem talking to others, I did suffer from mental health but I’m guessing that was from PTSD from a work accident I've spent time in psychiatric units as well.

I leaning towards not bothering and telling them I’ve improved,

I believe my condition is fluctuating but improving steadily, how would I go about saying this whilst leaving a door open if it ever pain raises it’s ugly head again & floors me.

They gave me a 2 week extension but I’m still looking at the form trying to decide.

I’ve read how horrible the assessments can be & how nasty the assessors are this is what’s putting me off.

Many thanks village.

poppy123456

PIP and DLA are completely different. For PIP it's all about the descriptors. You need to meet the descriptors to score the points needed for an award.

If the test you did was the PIP self test then this is a terrible test to do, especially if you don't full understand the PIP descriptors and what they mean.

As you have a physical condition there's potentially 5 activities where you could possibly score points for the daily living part and one for the mobility part.

For PIP you don't need to be affected ALL of the time. It's the majority of the days that count, so at least 50% of the day's in a 12 month period.

If you can't complete an activity safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard and in a reasonable time, you're treated as not being able to complete it at all.

it really does help to have some understanding of the descriptors and what they mean before you fill in the form. Please have a read of this link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

You've reported changes for your DLA and you have the form for PIP so you may as well continue and fill that in. If you don't fill it in then your DLA will stop. If you fill it in and return it then your DLA continues until a decision is made on the PIP.

village

Hi Poppy,

Thank you for the post, yes you’re right I don’t understand the descriptors & how they work, I don’t understand how how ticking a box that’s gives you 2 points can lead to points being awarded through a explanation in the comments section, I’m ticking one box but saying another thing, my thoughts are if I tick the box then that’s it I can only comment about why I ticked it, it’s very confusing, you obviously see more points than I do as you mentioned, with the explanations I gave on here in my mind it still doesn’t give me enough point's,

I get 4 for mobility & 7 for daily living I just don’t know/understand how I can get more points from explaining in the comments box because all I’m doing is repeating the question back to them & adding the word pain, same with daily living I’m ticking a box that explains what we’re or I’m capable of doing, how can I get more points from that & adding the words pain & sometimes frustration, it’s all down to the interpretation of another person which then puts me back into the position of challenging a decision, I’m sending a form in that I know doesn’t give me enough points so in my mind it’s a bit pointless that’s where I’m stuck, I’m starting from behind,I should have curtailed my enthusiasm for change & read more about PIP it but I feel my horse has bolted on this one.

Looking at it again your right it is very different to the DLA & quite easy to score low which I have done.

I think this Monday is probably the last day for me to decide, the way I see it very little of this form is applicable to me and I seam to not meet the parameters for award points, it’s very frustrating,

I was going to tell them I had improved & not go any further but we decided to look at the form for ourselves & make a decision from there what can it hurt I thought.

Thank you poppy once again I’m actually more confused than I was before (not your fault) you’ve explained it’s all about the wording of the answer something I wasn’t prepared for & I can not see past it I wish I could ( that’s on me) if you or anyone else has more advice I be extremely greatfull.

Thank you Village

poppy123456

You're welcome. Please take sometime and have a read of the link I posted in my comment above. Believe me, it's very easy to underscore yourself when you don't understand the descriptors.

When filling out the form you should include a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

You say you can walk between 50-200 meters but you could do that all of the time. For example, if you went for a short walk in the morning, would you be able to walk back home, without pain and discomfort? Would you be able to do that same distance later that day? If you couldn't then the answer is you can't complete that activity to the required standard.

You've scored yourself low but that's very likely due to lack of understanding of the descriptors. Many people with health conditions have lived with them for so long we just get used to how we are and it's very easy to overlook so many things.

village

Hi Poppy

Yes you’re right what’s normal for me wouldn’t be for others, people have asked me how to discribe my pain, it’s a constant wave in my legs hot cold fizzy swollen feeling ( although they’re not actually swollen) it’s a sickness feeling almost like a very mild electric shock only in a constant wave, sitting standing moving it’s around me all the time, maybe it’s my age maybe it’s the actual nerves maybe the medication? Who knows but it’s becoming less.

I actually worried I was becomt numb or something else was happening as in could I eventually feel nothing daft as it sounds, I listen to my body it tells me things my pain was still there but I felt it less intensity, my Dr ( who could be anyone from the surgery 🙄) didn't really have an answer, not that I was expecting one just the old keep up with the meds.

Both of us will have a think about situation but we’re in a routine at home & while out just a few adjustments nothing major, our approach was that although it impacts on our lives we’d find a way to either live with it or find a way round it or stop, you get good at that over a long time.

Time is a great healer well I never thought I’d say that, I suppose in all honesty I’m actually enjoying more freedom I’ve possibly for the first time in a long time got a choice which to me equates to some freedom ( although I’m not counting my chickens ) a choice is a precious thing in our world at the moment instead of can I, it’s I’ll try have a go.

it’s funny as improving is the most scared I’ve been in a long time will it last will it stay the same, my sleep has improved which is helping we’re holding onto every positive right now which is kind of blocking me thinking about any negative impacts as you say they’re normal to us, but I must include the negative in the form it’s like physically I’ve improved but I need to remember the bad times, go back re-live them (which I’m hoping don’t return) I think it’s that i’m struggling with, don’t want to go there don’t want to know move along old “Village” & let the new one one in, which would be like the guy I knew before the accident although I know that’s impossible.

Thank you poppy you’ve made me think, just opening up and talking about it has helped a great deal, I should have joined this forum earlier maybe I wouldn’t be in this situation, don’t get me wrong I’m happy to have the choice.

I’ve read about people’s experiences on here when applying for PIP some are good a lot are bad & my heart goes out to them, it got me very worried, but sometimes you have to look backwards to move forwards, am I up for it mentally, possibly, are we up for it mentally not sure I’ve put my wife through a lot & I must consider her & us in this she is my support my rock many would have fled, I want to be the best I can for her, so we’ll look again at the form & make a joint decision about what to do.

I feel awful as I’m contemplating not applying when so many on here are struggling & stressed with the system that’s supposed to support them only to be treated in such a terrible manner, I wish everyone well & hope they succeed.

Thank you Village.