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Refused higher rate of mobility

Shona1

I am awaiting a pip appeal . I have cerebral Palsy but was refused hight rate of mobility after gaining 0 for planning and carrying out a Journey unaided. I scored 10 in the other component due to reliance on physical aids and my sister to get about. Their seemed to be a over emphasis on my ability to travel to work in my motability car in my assessment. I rely on my sister to drive me a few days a week all the time to travel elsewhere. I am in severe medications which can cause drowsiness which combined with the cerebral palsy can make driving unsafe. I don’t understand what more is needed when my medical reports and a recent letter show my reliance on others and my anxiety of falling alone that I described. My employment is desk based in small office with parking outside. Without the car I will be stuck in my house. I am very anxious as this feels like they r taking the small degree of independence I have. They even commented on how articulate and social I was when my sister was supporting me and tried to help answer questions. This process is having severe impact on my mental health and I don’t know if I am failing in my explanations or if needing my sister to go out both physically and mentally to unfamiliar places doesn’t count as they say. I can’t use public transport even if we lived on a main transport route. I even got a letter for the mandatory reconsideration from my doctor to state the falls had not only impacted me physically but mentally also. They said no they took it in to consideration then over a week after another reconsideration stating they had now received the letter but had still decided I could plan and carry out a Journey unaided. I am totally at a loss as to what I need to do in preparation for an appeal. Can anyone help me understand this category as I can only go on unfamiliar Journeys as well as most familiar Journeys if driven their and given physical help.

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Comments

JennysDad

Hello @Shona1 and a very warm welcome to you. Very glad you have joined us and impressed by your very articulate post.
It is very unlikely that you are failing in your explanations and, sadly, much more likely that the authorities think they have found an excuse to cut yet another person's benefit.
Although I am sadly not one of them, we do have experts here who will be able either to help directly or point you in the right direction. They will be in touch with you here just as soon as possible, so please bear with us.
Really lovely to meet you,
Warmest best wishes,
Richard

Shona1

Thanks I suspected this it’s stressing me and my family out. I will have to hope common sense will eventually prevail. This has been a nightmare from the start

Matilda

****% of appeals succeed.

Lasian_Alumni

Hi @Shona1

Turn2us has an explanation that might help for the "plan and follow a journey" section.

We have some useful information about appealing a DWP benefits decision on our website, including some resources on tribunals. You may find the following videos of interest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67tDSlsityY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHjSpNNbQo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WEvbFVlQOc

I hope this helps!

markyboy

Planning a journey is one of the hardest descriptors to score now .
The DWP took my points away saying the descriptor criteria had changed.

Shona1

Yeah same the category supposed to award for things like medications side effects but they said that was part of the physical already discussed. I found lot assumptions where made about me because I work even though the DLA high rate enabled this. I have heard lot of stories from others like us were 0 points are being awarded for that category. It certainly is designed to reduce people awarded the high rate. Have you decided to appeal or settle for the lower award.

poppy123456

You won't score any points for being unable to drive your car, this is not what following and planning a journey is about.

When you go out, do you go out alone? do you need prompting, encouraging or assistance/supervision when you're out to make sure you're safe? Those that are unable to go out alone for whatever reason could possibly score points in this descriptor. It's based on mental health. My daughter has a learning disability and social anxiety disorder, never ever goes out alone and hasn't done so in her life and she's 17. The reason being because she doesn't have the capacity to do so. If she did she wouldn't know which direction to go and is a danger to herself when crossing roads. She doesn't understand maps, bus time tables, she's unable to tell the time or count money. Here's some links that will explain the descriptor a little more to you.
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Personal-Independence-Payment-(PIP)-Test/Plan-and-follow-a-journey

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/13-going-out/