PIP Letter recieved - where can I go for advice

AilleantSian
AilleantSian Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
Hi, 

I received my pip letter a couple of days ago( I was awarded Standard Daily living but not mobility) and read the decision. I think I may not have communicated the elements of how my impairment impacts my getting out and about. 

For instance, one inference that has been made is that I get out each day, which is somewhat true. I am the only license holder and although I can't physically do the school run( taking the kids into school, I drive there and stay in the car while my husband brings them in. 

Also not sure I got across that although can limited walk and recover, there is many times ( more than a couple of times a week) I want to go out but my joints are not stable enough so if it means any walking in this time I send my husband out or can't do things with kids because of joint swelling and too much risk of joint dislocation. 

I have read the links provided in my previous post but still not sure if this would make a difference and if it is worth going for consideration. 

Would like to know peoples thoughts and if there is somewhere I can go for advice or do I not need this?

Also I have a blue badge since 2004, without the mobility element is there a risk I would not get this renewed as I would be extremely limited if this was to happen ( even to the point in a normal bay I can not get out of a car )

Thanks 

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited August 2022
    I have read the links provided in my previous post but still not sure if this would make a difference and if it is worth going for consideration. 

    Would like to know peoples thoughts and if there is somewhere I can go for advice or do I not need this?
    Only you can know how your difficulties affect you in respect of the PIP activities. We can’t know this. You can look for an advice agency https://advicelocal.uk/

    What points, if any, did you get for Mobility?
    For instance, one inference that has been made is that I get out each day, which is somewhat true. I am the only license holder and although I can't physically do the school run( taking the kids into school, I drive there and stay in the car while my husband brings them in. 

    Also not sure I got across that although can limited walk and recover, there is many times ( more than a couple of times a week) 
    PIP is assessed on the majority of days so if you are unable to go out 5 days a week then that is the relevant issue, the question then is how far you can walk on those days and what your experience of walking is. Driving isn’t relevant.

    If you do not automatically qualify for a BB because you don’t have a relevant PIP award you are still eligible to apply for a BB but your application will be assessed based on medical information.

    (Note for reference - similar thread by OP 
  • AilleantSian
    AilleantSian Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    Hi 

    Thanks for the reply 

    I got 4 points for mobility (0 for planning journey question) 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Hi 

    Thanks for the reply 

    I got 4 points for mobility (0 for planning journey question) 

    If you have a physical condition and the reason you're unable to go out is because you're unable to walk then you won't score any points for following and planning a journey. The moving around part is what you should be looking at and how far you're able to walk.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    Hi 

    Thanks for the reply 

    I got 4 points for mobility (0 for planning journey question) 
    As discussed in you previous thread, based on what you said, the planning a journey question is not relevant to you as it deals with your mental health. 

    You have been awarded 4 points because you have been assessed as being able, on the majority of days, being able to walk between 50 and 200 metres as often as necessary, within a reasonable time period etc.

    In order to get 8 points you would need to be assessed as falling between 20 and 50 metres on the majority of days.
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hello there @AilleantSian and welcome to the community, have our members replies helped you to answer your query?

    Let us know if you feel we can help with anything further. 

    If you haven't already, explored the rest of the forum, you're welcome to do so! You can find all the different topics for discussion in our categories page, the latest conversations in recent discussions, and you can get to know other members and chat in our virtual coffee lounge

    Alex

  • Sue_Alumni
    Sue_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 484 Empowering

    Good afternoon @AilleantSian

    As calcotti and poppy have explained only you can explain how your conditions impact on your ability or lack of to carry out the mobility activities.  You did not score any points on the planning and following journeys activity but did score under the moving around activity but not enough to get a standard mobility component. The DWP are saying that you can walk more than 50 metres but no more than 200m for the majority of the time. You will need to show that a higher scoring descriptor applies and that you should be treated as being only able to move more than 20 metres but not more than 50 metres for the majority of the time but also safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period.

     I think you should consider about instances when you do go out and think how far you can mobilise before you gave to stop because you are in pain and whether you can repeat the distance. 

    After considering all this you may well feel that you should have been awarded a mobility component.  You can then request a mandatory reconsideration. You should normally do this within 1 month of the DWP’s decision letter but late requests are normally allowed provided you give a reason why the mandatory reconsideration request is being made late. When you challenge the DWP decision by requesting a mandatory consideration you will need  to explain in detail how your conditions impact on your mobility. Explain why you don’t take your children into school – is it because you can’t walk the distance to the gate, or there is no where for you to stop and rest.  Explain how you manage when you go shopping and when you go to the GPs surgery. 

    An award of 8 points for the moving around activity would mean that you were automatically eligible for  a blue badge.  Even with 4 points you can still apply although you are not automatically entitled to a blue badge.

    You asked whether anyone could give you advice on this matter and if you needed help with a mandatory reconsideration your local citizens advice should be able to help or advice local uk would be able to direct you to other organisations in your area which might be able to assist.