PIP Motability

cat170685

Although I've never registered on this site before it has been a great source of information and the input / advice from others is second to none; in saying that I would really like some advice regarding the situation i currently find myself in. 

I will try to keep the post specific and to the point.

December 2016 - Completed PIP application, awarded Enhanced Daily Living, Zero points motability

August 2018 - Requested intervention, was advised that due to the change in law my mental health issues should be reconsidered.

October 2018 - Home visit by assessor from Capita 

December 2018 - Was downgraded from High Rate Daily Living to Standard Rate, Awarded standard rate motability.

January 2019 - Requested mandatory reconsideration

February 2019 - After MR was awarded Higher rate daily living and standard rate motability.

I called the PIP number and asked for an explanation as to how they decided that I was only entitled to descripitor 11(e) rather than 11(f) - They advised me the reason I was not awarded descriptor f (Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid) was because I didn't leave the house enough to justify been awarded the higher rate. 

So I'm asking for some advice, surly whether I leave the house once a week or ten times a day - the fact that I need someone to accompany me for my own well being should be the information they base their decision on? If i only leave the house for vital appointments should not have an affect on my disability? 

Basically what I was advised was the reason I didn't qualify for the (f) was because I didn't leave the house as often as they would like?

See below for reply from capita after a case manager from PIP asked for clarification for the mandatory reconsideration

START**

All 16 available attachments of evidence reviewed. 

DA response advice: 

All evidence has been reviewed. The HOC reports Depression/ Anxiety and Schizophrenia, with significant specialist input, medication and recent suicidal action. The IOS / MSE, SOH and FE are consistent with low mood, signs of OPD, anxiety and lack of motivation. Medications are significant for mental health and only partially effective. While the MSE reports being well nourished, the FH and PIP2 in regards to act 2 are consistent with needing prompting continually to complete a meal which is consistent with his low mood and previous assessments. While it is acknowledged that the PIP2 indicates going into shopping centre, it also states only going out when necessary. The FH reports symptoms of OPD when out and the SOH indicates only leaving the house for medical appointments a/hich usually occur once a week. Therefore there is insufficient evidence to support that he leaves the home the majority of days and for that reason 11e appears appropriate. 

Change to 2d only, no other change.

END**

poppy123456

Hi,

If you can go out at least once in a day, most days then it's not 11E
If you can go out but only with another person due to OPD then it's not 11E , it is 11F.

It won't be 11F, if you cannot go out on the majority of days due to OPD, therefore it jumps back a descriptor to 11E.

It will depend on the reasons why you don't/can't go out the majority of the days.

cat170685

poppy123456 said:

Hi,

If you can go out at least once in a day, most days then it's not 11E
If you can go out but only with another person due to OPD then it's not 11E , it is 11F.

It won't be 11F, if you cannot go out on the majority of days due to OPD, therefore it jumps back a descriptor to 11E.

It will depend on the reasons why you don't/can't go out the majority of the days.

Hi Poppy,

firstly thanks very very much for the reply, I’m sure it should be obvious but what does OPD stand for? 
Thanks 
c

poppy123456

No problem. OPD is overwhelming psychological distress.

cat170685

Ah okay! That makes sense. So basically if you try and restrict going out to days and appointments that are important then the PIP will award a lower rate of motabity than that of someone with the exact same disability but who leaves their home more often? 

I just can’t fathom how they differentiate between the two awards based on leaving the house rather than the disability aspect. 

poppy123456

Yes exactly. Because that's what following and planning a journey is all about. We have a forum member with us that i'm sure would be extremely good at explaining this to you, better than i could. I'll tag them for you, once they see it i'm sure they'll explain.

@ilovecats. Could you please explain this more for me? Help appreciated here, thank you so much!

cat170685

ilovecats said:

cat170685 said:

Ah okay! That makes sense. So basically if you try and restrict going out to days and appointments that are important then the PIP will award a lower rate of motabity than that of someone with the exact same disability but who leaves their home more often? 

I just can’t fathom how they differentiate between the two awards based on leaving the house rather than the disability aspect. 

Also, choosing to restrict your journeys for practical reasons, pain etc will not score you 11E. There has got to be Overwhelming psychological distress present at every journey. 

If you can leave the house to do the school run, but then panic at the though of any other journey it would be 11A because you have left the house once in the day without promoting.

Hi ilovecats many thanks for your reply, I spoke to the case manager after receiving my decision. She advised that they agree that I would be unable to carry out any journey whether familiar or not however due to the fact that I said during a f2f assessment that I only really leave the house for necessary appointments I don’t qualify for 11F. 

cristobal

@ilovecats knows his/her stuff (and not only a Manx from a Siamese)...thanks for your info on the forum...

(I still don't understand this but I've come to the conclusion that I never will ...)