Sorry In advance for the long post
Hi all I applied for PIP in December 2020 finally had my pip assessment on the 7th July. I received a copy of my report on the 16th and am slightly confused by what the assessor has written in her justification notes to the points that have been given. It looks like I will be awarded enhanced on mobility as was given 12 points just for the moving around descriptor. Looks like I have only been given 6 points for daily living descriptors although her justification notes completely contradict the points given. I have severe issues with both my legs have evidence from gp and consultant that due to the pain a both my legs and feet are classed as high risk I am not to weight bare at all. I have been given adapted under arm crutches as I also have damaged and weakened wrists and onset of rheumatoid arthritis in my hands and fingers. She notes all of these in the descriptors for preparing and cooking food, washing and bathing, toilet needs & therapy. During my assessment when speaking about the food part I told her that I am unable to stand due to pain and discomfort and on advice by gp and consultant not to do so as to not cause more serious problems than I already have. I have reduced clasp grip on both hands with my right hand being worse so cannot hold a knife and cannot hold pots pans and whatever else is needed also I cannot stands with my crutches and use my hands to hold things due to safety issues with sharp knives and hot foods and liquids. I also have 2 prolapsed discs in my back which I am in pain all the time with. Extended my arms out or above or bending causes my back to go into severe spasms which increase the already bad pain. She suggested could I not “hop on one leg” which I explained I have issues with both my legs she then said could I not sit on a stool. I said yea I can sit on a stool but cannot do the functions involved to make the meal. Her notes on the moving around part say I cannot stand unaided or walk without these aids and weakened wrists and everything that I have wrong yet basically awarded 2 point saying I can use an aid ie the stool to do this descriptor.
Same thing with washing and bathing said I can step into a bath unaided sit in my bath seat and wash my hair and do not need any assistance just the bath seat. I told her on the assessment my husband who is a professional carer will help me into the bath as the mobility issues make it unsafe when I have to wear foot protectors to cover my bandages. It slippery. I can’t bend to wash the bottom half too much excessive movement heightens the pain and limited arm restrictions means I can’t hold a shower head with my grip problems and back spasms. She asked can I was my face with a flannel I said I could if the flannel was prepared for me and rinsed off for me. Yet again 2 points saying it’s because I have a bath stool.
I have lymphedema which she had proof of and we discussed this is quite some length I have weekly drainage massages from the lymphodema nurse and twice daily I need to have specialist lotion massaged into my leg and feet. These take 30 minutes a time and are extremely painful. This means I receive therapy of over 7 hours a week. She awarded no points and in her notes wrote all about the lymphedema and treatment how I am waiting for compression garments but awarded none.
As above with all my pain and limited restrictions physically and painfully she deemed as I was able to do a button or zip up I was able to dress
myself
I could go on and sorry again for the long post
now for my question has anyone ever had their report which points scores were low had the decision maker actually award more points when reading the assessors notes. I feel I should be awarded enhanced on both but looking at the report points as it is I will only get enhanced mobility
