Hi, I'm Ollyoyster! Any success stories with pip grade 4 osteoarthritis and anxiety panic?

poppy123456

This is what happens when you request a copy of the assessment report, it causes a lot more needless anxiety. The report is not the decision, it's a recommendation. Though they mostly go with it, they have been known to go against it.

The recommendation of a review on the back of the report is standard but it doesn't mean you'll be awarded.

A decision can take up to about 12 weeks after they received the report back. Once the decision is made if you're not happy you can challenge that by requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) which you should put in writing.

Once the decision is made, if you're not happy you can also post back here and someone will advise you further.

Ollyoyster

Thank yiu for your reply x  I also asked the lady dwp is it going to be scored off points hp gave and she said yes???,,, I'll take your advice, wait and see, and have a re think x

poppy123456

When you ring PIP you are talking to someone from a call centre, not someone from DWP itself. They have no idea what the decision will be until it's made.

Ollyoyster

Yes, sorry it was dwp I spoke to, lady said about points going off what hp advised,  o well as long as we are all breathing I guess x  needs to be more in depth, needs to be changed, it's not fair on genuine people needing help, not only that the amount of resources going back and forth with  trying again mandatory reconsiderations etc,, I'll go and calm down in a bit,, thanks for your replies,,, x

carcari

This is just a guide for the DM please wait for your award letter. These reports cause so much unnecessary anxiety 

Ollyoyster

Ollyoyster

Found this,  hopefully if enough sign things may change x

L_Volunteer

Hopefully, things will change for the better @Ollyoyster. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to help! 

Ollyoyster

Hi, I have been researching what courts have to say relating to aids whilst dressing. Two different outcomes. One judge says yes a bed or chair is allowed to be used and the other no as a non disabled person uses it... I can not get dressed without my chair or bed, as I described to asseor. But she has put down I can, so if I didn't use chair I would buckle as I have hypermobility and severe oa in knees.. I wish I could get changed standing up!! Any thorts pls x

poppy123456

2.1.21 For the purpose of the PIP assessment, aids and appliances may be everyday objects, but whether they’re considered as aids in any particular case depends on how the claimant uses the object compared to how (if at all) it might typically be used by someone with no relevant impairment. Where the object would usually or normally be used in the same way by someone without any limitation in carrying out the relevant activity, it is unlikely to be considered an aid or appliance, for example sitting on a bed whilst getting dressed or using a pan with a rubber-grip handle when cooking. In those instances where claimants make use of such items, they should be scored as being able to complete the activity unaided.

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

Ollyoyster

Thank you for feedback,  it doesn't make sense tho does it, ergo I will fall, therefore I am using it as an aid,, have I read it right? 

Cher_Alumni

@Ollyoyster Just dipping in to advise I've amended the title of your thread and moved it to our PIP, DLA and AA category to help others better spot it and keep track of where you're at. 

Also, good luck with your PIP claim. I appreciate it's a tough process but take it one (gentle) step at a time and you'll get there. 

poppy123456

Ollyoyster said:

Thank you for feedback,  it doesn't make sense tho does it, ergo I will fall, therefore I am using it as an aid,, have I read it right? 

There’s a good explanation of why a bed and a chair are not classed as aids for dressing/undressing here https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/resources/article/pip-aids-appliances-and-caselaw

calcotti

Ollyoyster said:

… but its not looking good if I go off this.  I don't know what to do. 

If you are refused you can challenge the decision.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-benefit-decisions/

Ollyoyster

Thank you,  just think it's not very balanced ie if I where to go and purchase a special adapted chair for 100s would this be classed as  an aid, it would do exactly the same purpose,, thank you for replies I'm jusr a bit aghast as to the reasoning behind the judges statement x

poppy123456

What about the other 9 activities, do any of those apply to you?

Ollyoyster

Yes aid accepted for food, and aid accepted for toilet, aid accepted for washing,, so they have seen I need an aid, but not for using bed or chair,, it's conflicting as I use a chair in kitchen,, you could argue that a non disabled person could use a chair, but my point is I don't choose to I have to, if you get my drift x

poppy123456

There's much less chance of someone without a disability using a chiar or a stool when preparing food than there is for someone to use a chiar or bed for dressing/undressing.

Ollyoyster

Yes I see what you mean,  but I wish I could get ready without having to use bed or chair, I'd end up flat on my face if knees buckled 😕,, yet again thank yiu for your reply, you really are very helpful, 👌

L_Volunteer

I hear you @Ollyoyster. It sounds difficult for you that you can't get ready the way you want to. Also, you are welcome for our replies. Our replies are the very least you deserve.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything else to support you. We are all here for you and listening to you