PIP and driving licence

MiaSummer

I was on DLA HR every time . Going over to PIP no problem awarded enhanced living , first review again no issues PIP stayed the same. Second PIP review which took place 15 months after my form needed to be back. This time round awarded standard living 11pts and 4pts for mobility . I asked for a MR came back 9pts for living 0 points for mobility . Awaiting tribunal. I’ve sent in loads of more evidence that contradicts everything she put down . She was a nurse , so not a MH nurse, not a MSK specialist, not a cardiologist, and not a psychiatrist. Everything is battle of physical disability v mental health. And because I’ve a driving licence one of the first questions she asked can you drive , can you drive a manual car. I said I passed in a manual car. Practically every activity she has answered shows no cognitive impairment as she holds a driving licence. Even the question regarding nutrition. I’ve anorexic always struggle with food , how she said she holds a driving license so she should be able to eat. Getting in the bath , she should be able to as she holds a driving licence. she has shown all the evidence of multiple mental health diagnoses , and although she reported physical restrictions and would need support of aids to wash and dress (I’ve a hand rail) the mental health restrictions are more disabling in this activity. I have to have a stand up wash with basin when my back is really bad . I’m on morphine tablets every 12 hours. I’ve three herniated disc’s two lower spine one in the neck . Disc in neck is causing pain from neck to shoulder all the way to fingers . I also now have some weakness in that arm and lost some feeling in the fingers. My lower spine has started to really thin due to my eating disorder.To name a few other mh conditions I’ve bipolar , BPD, anxiety, suicidal ideation, sh and body dysmorphia , arrhythmia due to ablation bradycardia and second degree heart block , autism and sleep apnea. She also stated I couldn’t elaborate on a number of my answers when asked but I should be able to because I hold a driving licence, no I have autism . Well now I can’t afford to even eat a slice of toast every day, can’t afford to get on transport or get petrol , I feel a prisoner , can’t afford to put the heating on. I’m no longer living im miserably existing. And wants me to be reviewed in two years as she thinks everything should improve. Sorry for long post but I never heard of anyone getting assessed on everything because of a driving licence

Rosie_Scope

Hi @MiaSummer, welcome to the community. I'm really sorry your PIP application has been so stressful. The way they've used your driving as an explanation sounds incredibly frustrating considering what you've described you go through. If you feel up to is, perhaps getting in touch with a benefits professional for your tribunal might be worth doing. They can often help advise you on the best way forward with your claim and some may be able to attend the tribunal with you.

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

Hopefully the tribunal will see more of what you go through and change your award to be closer to what you're hoping for 💛

Lauren29

I am really sorry that you have experienced this. Unfortunately I have come across cases where clients have been denied points for PIP activities as they drive. Health Professionals are told that they should "make suitable comparisons across activities regarding the level of functional ability present. For example, if a claimant cannot chop vegetables without an aid due to weakness in their hands, then it would be expected that they would struggle to undertake other activities requiring similar dexterity. Similarly – if a claimant drives a car but says they are unable to complete other activities requiring similar dexterity, the HP should explore this with the claimant." What I find is that in many cases no exploration takes place and no further questions are asked. I came across one case recently where the client was not awarded points for some activities not because she drove (she can't drive) but because she could get into the passenger seat of the car and do up her seat belt. Unfortunately although there are good HPs making good decisions there are some very poor ones.

Do try to get professional help with an appeal if you can and good luck.