Husband with epilepsy has been awarded 0 points for pip

tracoops

This discussion was created from comments split from: Advice needed - turned down for PIP - epilepsy.

tracoops

My husband has also been awarded 0 points for pip he has epilepsy he suffers from grand mal, petit mal and absences also he has drop attacks....wondering whether or not to bother appealing....any advise please.

emkins40

I think you need to consider the majority of the time rule, do you keep a seizure diary ? I use seizure tracker on line record and this was used as evidence. It's to do with regularly and majority of the time rule. If your husband is still having seizures despite medication then in theory if your GP were to confirm the epilepsy is uncontrolled he would qualify for the majority of the time rules. Please use the epilepsy society guidelines and remember it's not about what he can do but what help they say he should need. So for example of course I make myself cups of tea for example and just risk it. But I made them aware of the dangers of me doing that. Dropping boiling water, when cooking the risk of burning myself. Using a knife to chop vegetables. Crossing a road without a companion possibility of road accidents. Bathing without supervision risk of drowning etc. I definitely think you should appeal. Go for it! Just write a really good statement! Plus GP back up. Good Luck

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BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi tracoops,

You certainly should consider challenging the decision. Keep an eye on the time limits - you have one calendar month from the date on the decision letter to ask for a reconsideration and then if that is not successful, another calendar month to ask for an appeal. 

Your husbands diagnoses are not in themselves enough to qualify for PIP. He must show that his daily living and/or mobility are affected sufficiently. Go through the PIP descriptors on the Scope benefits pages to identify which you think apply. Try and get extra evidence to help show the problems your husband has. This might be a letter from a doctor or other health professional, a carer or someone who knows him well. As emkins40 posted, the epilepsy society has some good info on their website.

It is worth challenging the decision and although it can feel like an uphill struggle there is a good success rate for appeals. 

Good luck - and post back if you have any more questions.

Michael

tracoops

Thank you michael,  we have been to the citizens advice bureau this morning and they are going to help us with our reconsideration....Will keep you posted 

tracoops

Is it correct that rules have changed for the better e.g. for supervision and mobility.

Debbzz

Appeal we did we went to a tribunal it was hard but we won and we got the money back dated it took almost a year though good luck

tracoops

Well done debzz pleased for you....hope we are successful x

tracoops

If you don't mind me asking debbzz what award did your husband get?  And was the tribunal itself hard?

Paul7210

Hi Tracoops, did you get the pip decision over turned for your husband?