ESA

NikkyA

Hi thanks for letting me join. I have recently been given 0 points in a PIP assessment even though I have been receiving DLA & mobility car for 12 years. I had stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma in 2005 complications resulting in have lung condition bronchiectasis. I also have fibromyalgia, osteo arthritis, high blood pressure, anxitey & depression. I've asked for a mandatory reconsideration on the decision and will appeal too. In the past I've had 2 successful appeals to receive ESA and reassessment to move into the support group, will this mean I keep the severe disability part of my ESA? I'm stunned at the moment, have already gone through so much, live in pain every day and got 0 points. Any info and suggestions gratefully accepted thank you

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hello NikkyA

I am sorry to hear that your PIP award has been refused.

You have done the right thing in requesting a mandatory reconsideration. 

As you are probably aware unlike DLA,  PIP is a points based system.  You need 8 points for a standard award of daily living or mobility and 12 points for an enhance award.  The Scope website has a great section on PIP, and it may be worth looking there, as you can see what points you think you may be entitled to.

Do you have a specialist or other health care professional that will support your case for PIP? If so, it may be worth approaching them, and asking for support.  If you do, make sure their support is helpful and specific, e.g. explaining why you can only walk very short distances, or have difficulty with dressing, washing etc. 

Did you attend a medical assessment? If so, you can also ask for a copy of this assessment.  You can make this request by writing to PIP, and simply need to put that you would like a copy of the medical assessment that you attended, it may be helpful but not essential if you can also remember the date you attended.  Reading the report from the assessment may throw a lot of light on why you got 0 points. 

The support group of your ESA entitlement will not be affected by the PIP decision.

A severe disability premium payable as part of ESA is likely to be affected. This is because this premium is payable for people who are (generally) living alone (but there can be exceptions), no-one claims carers allowance for looking after them and they claim for example PIP (daily living). Unfortunately as PIP daily living has not been awarded, it looks like the severe disability premium may stop.

There is also a premium called the enhanced disability premium and this premium will however continue as entitlement to this premium in your case can be linked to the fact you are in the support group of ESA.

Hopefully your mandatory reconsideration is successful.  If so, your PIP award will be backdated, and make sure you inform ESA of this success as they can re-award and backdate any award of the severe disability premium.  Please however, do not hesitate to post again if you need any further advice.

Maria

NikkyA

Hi Maria,
Thank you so much for your advice.