PIP. I'm going to appeal. Has anyone had a similar experience?

supagaz

Hi all I am after some advice regarding PIP, I am 67 years old and I am on the standard rate of PIP. I have recently tried for the full rate of PIP due to my mobility issues getting worse. I have a dropped foot (left) which really restricts my mobility which I got before my retirement age, I recently had to change my car for an automatic because I had trouble with the clutch control. I have just been turned down for the full PIP rate even though no one has been to re assess my mobility. They have stated I can walk between 25 to 50 meters aided or un aided, but I have fallen just walking a few yards and have bruises to prove it. I am going to appeal and ask my doctor to write a letter for me, I just wondered if anyone had a similar experience or could give me any advice. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Garry

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Unfortunately your mobility award can not be increased once you are over retirement age this is one of the rules for.claiming pip

You can only retain the award you have in place for the mobility component so there is no point of appealing.

That's why you were rejected without any assessment 

Sue_Alumni

Good afternoon @supergaz

I suspect that janer1967 is correct but I just wanted to double check with you whether your PIP award was reviewed before or after you reached state retirement age sometime last year. Also when you refer to "the full PIP rate" I assume you mean enhanced rate mobility only ?

If your PIP award was reviewed by the DWP after you reached state retirement age, as janer1967 says, you can get PIP but you can only receive an award at the enhanced rate for the mobility component if you were receiving it before the review.  You cannot get an award of enhanced rate mobility  component PIP on review after you reached state retirement age if you only had standard rate before the review  - even though your mobility has deteriorated.  If the review process was started before you reached state pension age you may be able to show an entitlement to the enhanced rate mobility component. You say you "recently" tried for the enhanced rate and so I am assuming that you applied for a review of your PIP after you reached State pension age. 

supagaz

Thanks for your comments Janer and Sue they are most helpful, I am still not sure from your comments Sue. I can clarify that I did apply and receive the lower rate before I reached the retirement age, so are you saying I can claim the enhanced rate. This seems so unfair as most people get worse as they get older, I have spoken previously to my Doctor about this. He told me their involvement regarding PIP claims were taken away by the Government, we all know that the assessors were set on to reduce the number of claimants. This is not right these people do not have the knowledge that your Doctor has of your medical history, I had severe heart failure nearly 2 years ago but that counts for nothing.  What annoys me is that I have worked all my life paid my taxes then have to fight for everything, sorry for going on but I feel so frustrated. Thanks Garry

janer1967

Hi again 

If ywhat sue is trying to say is if you reported a worsening condition eg change of circumstances or had a review b4 you reached retirement age you could be considered for higher rate 

But if it was after retirement age then you cannot get a higher rate 

I presumed as you stated it was recent that you were already over retirement age 

The reason you state about mobility getting worse with age is exactly why this rule applies as if there wasn't an age limit then everyone who get less mobile with age would apply 

This won't be your case but anyone applying for disability benefit after retirement age cannot apply for pip if they don't already get it . They apply for attendance allowance which has no mobility component