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Entitlement advice?

tommy2k17

I got my form about PIP last week. I cannot prepare food for myself, can only walk short distances at a time, have epilepsy so I get tired (one of the side effects). Any advice for other people in the same situation?

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Comments

whistles

I actually thought that regardless of your condition it's how you are effected by the descriptors you are asked about.

If the op cannot prepare food, why can they not prepare food, what happens if they did, what help do they receive if any. Can they use a microwave as oppose to the cooker. I can use the microwave and it was accepted cooking would be unsafe other than this.

Tiredness would need proving as a side effect of the medication and condition wouldn't it?
My memory issues were dismissed as a side effect of the medication.
However I was told I had insight so could do things to help myself.
My day is effected with those descriptors they asked about, nobody said I was stupid and my brain didn't work at all.

Pippa_Alumni

Best of luck with your application, @tommy2k17. This Citizens Advice guidance on filling in the PIP form may be helpful.

tommy2k17

Thankyou.
However, I have seen a few TV programmes about people that really need PIP not getting it!

whistles

Be positive.

Matilda

@tommy2k17

Disability Rights UK site has a good guide to all stages of PIP. And try to get some f2f advice from CAB or similar.

Disability Rights has a draft diary you can adapt. Include a 7 day diary with your PIP form. And list all the aids you use. Using aids should get you some points especially if you struggle even using aids.

The 50% rule means that your disabilities must be bad enough to qualify for points on at least 4 days out of 7.

tommy2k17

Thankyou for all of your advice. I have until May 9 to send it back so not long!

tommy2k17

I study with the Open University, and have to have study support, I have just found a pyschological report written up from Kent Assessors that outline some of what PIP wants.

Matilda

At my assessment the assessor was only interested in how many bad days I had a week. The assessor wanted to keep things simple - as did the tribunal panel.

Yadnad

Username_removed said:

@lillybelle

It is also terrible advice to not write paragraphs on the claim pack. That is your main document and it needs to be completed in full. The most common discussion at appeal tribunals is “Well if you’re now saying that x is true why wasn’t it put in the claim pack?”

I'm not saying that you are wrong but I was told many moons ago - back in 2013 when I was being transferred over from DLA, that completing the PIP2 form was not the be all and end all of making a claim. I was informed when I telephoned them for advice (by a local disability charity who now no longer exist) that putting endless statements for each descriptor was a waste of time as the DWP disregard what you claim and place more emphasis on what the assessor writes - presumably because the claimant could put anything down in order to bolster their overstated claim.
Further, the time to give facts is at a Tribunal.
I can see why you say that but surely the same would go for someone that believes that they don't have any problems but in reality they do - in their case it would be said to a an understated application - just the same as someone that doesn't fill in all of the blank boxes?

Do I actually trust an assessor to do their job correctly - no from experience. And do I trust the DWP decision maker to determine what is and what isn't an 'understated' claim - no, based on experience when following a MR they eventually change the award dramatically to what I was awarded in the previous years. If it takes 2 and sometimes 3 goes at getting it right is that my fault for not filling out any of the additional boxes or the DWP in not doing their job properly?

I would add that for my first two claims both ended up with enhanced care & mobility following a MR. No further evidence was given by me. I just pointed out the total inaccuracies within the assessor's report and the evidence I had sent in when returning the claim form. The third I am waiting for a MR ruling.

tommy2k17

Whats an MR?

Matilda

Mandatory reconsideration - first stage of appeal.

Yadnad

Thanks Mike, I do totally respect your opinions and I believe I have seen some of your work on Rightsnet?
Of course there has to be credibility when producing or giving evidence to a Tribunal. I was just likening not filling in the boxes on the PIP2 and those that don't really put much information on it at all simply because they actually believe that there isn't a problem with their life despite all of their family saying there is.

Yes one was. I was 65 just a few weeks after the cut off date so had to go down the PIP route in 2013. Then I had another re-assessment in 2015 and a review just before Christmas 2017.
Both the 2013 and 2015 decisions were reversed following a MR back up to enhanced for care & mobility. I was given three year awards each time.
Previously I had been on DLA High Mobility & Care since the mid 90's.

tommy2k17

I have been asked to go for another assessment for PIP, as they said they didn't have enough information! Has anyone els had to go for a reassessment?