PIP question about transport

April

My daughter had her PIP tribunal today. She was asked if she could take a taxi on her own. What was the purpose of this question? If someone can travel in a taxi on their own, does that mean they don't qualify for PIP mobility? She is unable to take public transport, so the borough provides her with a taxi to college. The person who asked the question was very specific about whether or not she was alone in the taxi. I just can't find a reason for this question anywhere.

poppy123456

Hi,

Your daughter being provided with a taxi to and from college because she's unable to travel alone on public transport should not make any difference to the descriptor following and planning a journey, even if she travels alone.

Was a decision made today or do you have to wait for a letter?

April

We have to wait for a letter. I guess that's a bad sign. Any idea why they asked the question about travelling alone?
I feel that I did really badly for my daughter in this Tribunal. I had notes giving examples for each descriptor but I didn't use them. I have no idea why! I was just so nervous. 

atlas46

Hi

Best to wait till you get the letter from the Tribunal, rather than speculating on what was said or implied by the questions.

For what it’s worth every council in this country, has taken away such one to one taxi service, that your daughter is still being provided with.

Please update us, once you have said letter to hand.

Best wishes.

poppy123456

April said:

We have to wait for a letter. I guess that's a bad sign. Any idea why they asked the question about travelling alone?
I feel that I did really badly for my daughter in this Tribunal. I had notes giving examples for each descriptor but I didn't use them. I have no idea why! I was just so nervous. 

I personally don't think it's a bad sign. A taxi from your home to college, supported and paid for by your local council because your daughter is unable to travel alone, should not go against her, even if she does travel alone in the taxi.

My daughter is also unable to go anywhere alone, has a support worker at home, one 2 one support at college and has a taxi paid for from my local council and this hasn't gone against her. She claims Enhanced rate for both parts of PIP.

Yadnad

poppy123456 said:

My daughter is also unable to go anywhere alone, has a support worker at home, one 2 one support at college and has a taxi paid for from my local council and this hasn't gone against her. She claims Enhanced rate for both parts of PIP.

poppy123456 said:

Well done Poppy, you must live in a very wealthy borough or one that enjoys spending it's money.

How do you manage to get all of that in place? Even trying to get a Social Services older persons assessment for my wife carried out is almost impossible even with my personal involvement. It's now 4 months and counting since the application was submitted.

poppy123456

I don't live in a wealthy borough at all but my daughter wouldn't get through her day without 100% support from other people. I have a physical disability myself, which makes physical tasks more difficult.

I spent 14 years of my life fighting for answers for her and been called everything from a hypochondriac, to a mother who can't look after her children properly.

She had no support throughout her school days, yet couldn't speak a word until she was 5 years old, couldn't count to 10 or spell her own name at the age of 8 yet the authorities still accused me of everything. As hard as life was for me, for my own sake but more so hers i didn't ever give up that fight.

She's never been outside the door alone, can't add up the change in her purse, thinks that making coffee you need to add a tea bag to the cup and thinks that with a £1000 you can buy a house and a computer. This is just a few things on the huge list that she needs support with every single day and for the rest of her life.

In the past 18 months she's been diagnosed with ASD, Social Anxiety of Childhood and a learning disability, despite being called everything.

Always trust a mother's instinct is my advice and never give up the fight. She's only receiving what she's entitled to. Without a supported taxi then she wouldn't be able to attend college and laws in England say you must attend school/college until you reach the age of 18.

It most certainly wasn't easy nor was it all done over night.

April

poppy123456 said:

My daughter is also unable to go anywhere alone, has a support worker at home, one 2 one support at college and has a taxi paid for from my local council and this hasn't gone against her. She claims Enhanced rate for both parts of PIP.

Does she travel without an escort in the taxi? My daughter does. I've just learned from another website that if they travel in a taxi alone without an escort then they get a big fat zero for Mobility in PIP. It's regarded as making a journey alone.My daughter will therefore get nothing.

poppy123456

Yes she does. I take her to the taxi and she's met at college by her support worker and taken to her taxi at the end of the day.

I'm not sure where you got that from but it's incorrect.

poppy123456

Being able to get into a taxi alone to attend school/college is not part of following and planning a journey descriptor. It will depend on other reasons whether or not she'll score points in this descriptor.

Usually the Tribunal will write to you with a decision quite quickly. Some receive the letter the following day.

April

poppy123456 said:

Being able to get into a taxi alone to attend school/college is not part of following and planning a journey descriptor. It will depend on other reasons whether or not she'll score points in this descriptor.

Usually the Tribunal will write to you with a decision quite quickly. Some receive the letter the following day.

I'll let you know how we get on. I'm not looking forward to getting the letter. I worry about my daughter's future if she doesn't get this. It's a passport to other help, and she will need it. I think I should have got representation. Ah well, at least other people can learn from my experience and maybe get some legal representative to help them.

Lee123

I have to travel in a taxi where ever I go
The driver can also be known as an escort as long as you know them and feel safe around them
I went from standard mobility no daily living to daily living and enhanced mobility at tribunal
For unable to follow a familerf route with out an person aid etc 
So they look at the whole picture you do not necessarily need to be in the car with your daughter I take it as these drivers are familiar with your daughter and via versa 
I can not travel anywhere without another person but they counted my taxi driver in so good luck!

April

Lee123 said:

I have to travel in a taxi where ever I go
The driver can also be known as an escort as long as you know them and feel safe around them
I went from standard mobility no daily living to daily living and enhanced mobility at tribunal
For unable to follow a familerf route with out an person aid etc 
So they look at the whole picture you do not necessarily need to be in the car with your daughter I take it as these drivers are familiar with your daughter and via versa 
I can not travel anywhere without another person but they counted my taxi driver in so good luck!

Thank you for that information. I'm still very confused as to why the member of the panel was asking if there was an escort in the taxi. If it's not relevant to PIP then it seems like an unnecessary question. 

Lee123

Well they know that she definitely is not alone andthat should count
Maybe they was just  trying to see the bigger picture of a day that your daughter has 
I don't think it's anything for you to worry about they ask all kind of questions but that does not mean it will go against her 
You should receive your letter any day now mines took 2 days 

poppy123456

They have to ask the questions because they are trying to get a picture of how your daughters conditions affect her.

April

Just an update on this...we won our Tribunal! So happy! In the end, my daughter was awarded enhanced mobility and standard daily care. My advice is, never give up! There is justice, but it is such a horrible system. So cruel, time consuming, stressful, and downright unkind.

poppy123456

Fantastic news! Well done!

atlas46

Great news, thanks for letting us know.

You are right, never give up and stay strong.

Yadnad

April said:

Just an update on this...we won our Tribunal! So happy! In the end, my daughter was awarded enhanced mobility and standard daily care. My advice is, never give up! There is justice, but it is such a horrible system. So cruel, time consuming, stressful, and downright unkind.

How long is the award for?

April

Yadnad said:

April said:

Just an update on this...we won our Tribunal! So happy! In the end, my daughter was awarded enhanced mobility and standard daily care. My advice is, never give up! There is justice, but it is such a horrible system. So cruel, time consuming, stressful, and downright unkind.

How long is the award for?

The award is for 2 years. 

Mandr52

April said:

Yadnad said:

April said:

Just an update on this...we won our Tribunal! So happy! In the end, my daughter was awarded enhanced mobility and standard daily care. My advice is, never give up! There is justice, but it is such a horrible system. So cruel, time consuming, stressful, and downright unkind.

How long is the award for?

The award is for 2 years. 
Brilliant news as a mother also we will fight for our children.
Well done x