Confused

benlis10

hi everyone, my GP was the one who recommend adult social services/OT to me who in turn recommended several aids that would benefit me 
shower stool , bed frame ,commode etc
iam quite worried the amount of people on here denied points as the aids are a “ choice “
whats all that about ? 
Without my aids I would not be functioning at all 
I would literally have to be in bed all day 
how do you get the assessor to understand this is not a choice but a necessity?
Thanks   

debsidoo

Hi benlis10
I think that where aids are declared as a choice rather than a necessity it is because in some cases the user has purchased these to help them as their own decision.
i have certain aids to help which were recommended by Social Services.In fact some were actually provided by them.These weren’t in my case declared a choice as they had been suggested by a qualified person.
I’m sure Poppy will have more knowledge about this but if these have been professionally recommended then they should be classed as a necessity.
    Debsidoo.x

benlis10

Thanks debsidoo 
that makes a bit more sense 
all my aids were loaned to me by the OT through social services as too were my mobility walker 
as evidence regarding this I will send in copies of the aids delivery sheet from Leeds city council xxx

poppy123456

Hi,

Did your OT write an assessment report, with details of why you need the aids? If so then this will be very useful to send as evidence. The delivery notice alone isn't the greatest evidence because it doesn't say why you need those aids.

What stage of the PIP application are you at please? Filling out the form? waiting for a face to face assessment?

twonker

As Poppy says the assessment report is vital. However I do know that it isn't the norm for SS to produce such a report. I've never seen one despite them recommending and supplying various bits of equipment.
In my case it was recognised at the face to face assessment that I appeared to be able to do more than I claimed. Consequently most of the aids supplied by SS were deemed to be a choice and not a need.

It really doesn't matter who supplies the equipment and why if the assessor believes that they are not entirely needed if you are able to carry out the exercises at the assessment. The SS report would then be used as evidence to help convince the DWP and a Tribunal that on the balance of probabilities that what you say is more believable than what the assessor believes.