Has anyone self-scored themselves and then gone on to get PIP awarded on those answers?

Atlanta1010

Good evening all, I have just done the self test for P.I.P and i have answered the questions on how my disability effects me day to day,  i scored 22 on the daily living, and 14 on mobility. I've been refused pip before for emphysema twice, but now its really affecting me, i stand up and im out of breath, and so now i am on oxygen,  my question is has anyone self scored themselves and then gone on to get p.i.p awarded on those answers. Thank you

Tori_Scope

Hi @Atlanta1010 Welcome to the community! Just to let you know, I've moved your post into the PIP category so that it'll be easier for our members to find your post.

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

It's important to remember that PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis. It's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

My opinion on the PIP self test is that it shouldn't be available at all because it can very often give a false impression of what you maybe entitled to. Even more so if you don't fully understand the PIP descriptors and what they means and very few people do.

I note that you've previously been refused PIP twice, is that correct?  If so may i ask if you requested the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) then Tribunal? If you didn't was there any reasons why?

To constantly reapply using the same evidence you previously used will likely see another refusal and you'll be in the same possition you were previously in and it just becomes a viscous circle. Requesting the MR then Tribunal is always the best route.

If you do decide to reapply then my advice is to fill out the form with as much relevant information about how your conditions affect you as possible. Tehn add a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Including who was with you, where you were and exactly what happened.

Medical evidence is only good if it states exactly how your conditions affect you and most of it doesnt state this. It will only tell them the basics, like diagnosis and medication etc. The best evidence you can send is your anecdotal evidence because the only person that knows exactly how you're affected is yourself.

Have a read of this. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Hope this helps.

janer1967

Hi and welcome on board I hope you find all the info helpful in making a decision about applying 

mikehughescq

Speaking wholly with my professional hat on and seven years experience of PIP I have never found a PIP self test which accurately reflected those aspects of a claim which really matter and I’ve never come across a claimant who presented to an advice agency with a detailed self-test i.e. people who do self-tests tend to believe that they’ve just been given the information to justify cracking on with a claim without any further assistance. They don’t tend to seek advice. Talking to other staff and services that tends to be their view too. 

There are multiple tests to look at but most are just a rehash of the regs as written with the option to select the one descriptor you think applies to you but with no insight as to why that might be the right or wrong choice. 

Take a look at any of them and ask yourself what is there that, for example, suggests a person with sight loss would score on anything more than activity 8? Ask yourself what might suggest that a person with hearing loss would usually score on activities 1and 4? If you can’t figure out why a person with sight loss would score on between 5 and 7 daily living activities then that’s a good indicator that your self-test is as useful as a chocolate fireguard.

Atlanta1010

Hi poppy123456, thank you for your reply, to answer your questions on the first claim i did the MR and then i applied for a hearing at a tribunal, unfortunately i was really ill and couldn't make the tribunal. On the second claim, i was refused i applied for the MR and then I went to tribunal, on the daily living i got 6 points and on mobility they awarded me 8, but now 2 years down the line
my circumstances have changed and i'm worse now, i can barely walk 20 metres without being breathless, i cant shower, bath or wash my hair as the exertion leaves me breathless. with covid and having to stay in doors has now left me too scared to go out of my house, and i am receiving treatment for this, i feel socially awkward so that doesnt help either. i have also just been put onto oxygen therapy as my blood oxygen is low.  Thank you in advance for any replies and personal experiences. 

poppy123456

If you already have an award in payment then you cna't reapply. You can put in a change of circumstances.