Hi, I'm Jupiter61! Does CPAP machine plus high blood pressure qualify for any extra PIP points?

Jupiter61

Does the use of a CPAP machine plus high blood pressure qualify for any extra PIP points?

chiarieds

Hi @Jupiter61 - & welcome to the community. PIP isn't based on any diagnosis, medication or equipment, rather is about how some aspects of your daily living &/mobility are affected. You can see the activities/descriptors looked at with PIP here:  https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Personal-Independence-Payment-Descriptors-and-Scores-April-2021.pdf

If you're already claiming PIP, then your high BP may not add any points unless it makes your disability harder to manage looking at the activities/descriptors above. As the CPAP machine is used at night, & night times aren't relevant as far as PIP is concerned, this may not give you any extra  points either. Hope I've explained, but please do come back with any queries.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @Jupiter61

Welcome to the community, I hope you are well this morning I have moved your discussion over to our PIP category and edited the title so that other members have an idea about the theme of your post. 

I hope to see you getting involved more around the community. This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 A few notable pages I’d recommend visiting would be:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

Jupiter61

Thanks so much to Chiareids for the Cambridgeshire PIP list of descriptors. This is very useful to know. I am already in receipt of the lower non mobility PIP payment but was getting very concerned about the added cost to my electricity bill by using a CPAP machine at home as I have been doing for many months now. This is especially a worry since the horrendous rise in energy costs. I really feel PIP should be taking this into account when it comes to using an electric appliance which, if I didn't, would have dire consequences to my health ( I have sleep apnoea) and would cause the inflammation behind my eyes to lead to blindness and my already high blood pressure to sky rocket! I have no choice really but toincur the added cost of running the machine.

chiarieds

You're very welcome @Jupiter61 - I can appreciate that needing to use a CPAP machine is a concern due to rising electricity costs. It looks like we all will benefit to a certain extent from the Chancellor's words today, so hopefully this will help. Please see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58090533

Jupiter61

Yes indeed -I've only just heard about that. Played it all back on Parliament tv. I await some financial help in great anticipation! Will check out your link and other help in the Press in deciphering the details!

ShirleyW

There is also more information here on the Government website 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022