Support with Personal Independence Payment

Charley_Monks

Hello!

I am asking for advice on Personal Independence Payment's.

My Partner has Cerebellar Ataxia, he struggles doing pretty much everything and the fact that he is struggling to work has also started affecting his mental health.

However as he goes to the GYM he is seen as not requiring PIP, even if he goes to strengthen his muscles so he can walk. We have been trying to get his PIP in place for 3 years and we keep getting rejected.

Any advice or support?

Thank you

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @Charley_Monks, welcome to the community 😊

There are certain assumptions they make about capability when they hear things like work, gym, and more etc.

What must be explained in these instances is the exact reason they are doing the activity. For instance with work it's very simple, you need to pay for a roof over your head and food etc.

You then can say how it can take you longer to do that activity than a regular person, or can make you far more tired than would be reasonably expected. And if it makes you more tired or in pain than reasonably expected, how much does it impact the rest of your day?

If it goes to a tribunal these are questions that the tribunal will find very helpful if answered.

You could look for a benefits advisor or an advocate who has done PIP tribunal work before to help build a case for your partner. They will know what evidence is needed.

poppy123456

Have you ever challenged the decision by requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) and then Tribunal? If not is there any reasons why?

To constantly reapply using the same evidence isn't always the best idea because you could find yourself in the same situation by having constant refusals.