On DLA but voluntary moving to PIP (hypothetically)

Cartini

Hi,

My ex is on DLA (I`ve no idea what level) and she hasn`t been "called" (for want of an expression) to transfer to PIP.

Should she apply for PIP before being "called", would there be any detrimental results?

I`ve read an awaful lot of DLA to PIP comments, but I don`t recall one covering an application whilst on DLA.

Andy

calcotti

There is no reason to apply for PIP before required to do so unless you think the PIP award will be higher. Tip judge that you need a good understanding of how PIP is assessed and scored.

poppy123456

I would say no, not without first getting some expert advice to see if they qualify and what award would be possible, if any.
Or doing some research for their self to try to fully understand the descriptors, what they mean and the criteria.
There’s been some threads with DLA to PIP transfers recently and I believe they were successful with the PIP claim and awarded a higher rate than their DLA was. However, you can’t really compare someone else’s experience to how your own claim will be. 

Would there be any detrimental results? Yes there could be if their PIP was refused because the DLA would then end.

Cartini

Thank you both.

She doesn`t get enough to allow our son to be declared a carer for her, the last time I asked her about it (over a year ago) she only got £300 (or it could have been £350).

She is riddled with arthritis, has had 2 knees & 1hip replaced and her fingers are like twiglets (the only way I can describe them) .  I know the condition alone will not qualify, but from my experience, and from my "journey", I think she stands a good chance of being better off. 

I`m not, however, going to suggest she does apply; I`ve told her that when she gets the call to let me know and I`ll go through her application with her.

When that happens, I`m sure any queries she has / I have that you will both be able to help.

Andy

poppy123456

Cartini said:

When that happens, I`m sure any queries she has / I have that you will both be able to help.

Yes, absolutely!

calcotti

Cartini said:

She doesn`t get enough to allow our son to be declared a carer for her, the last time I asked her about it (over a year ago) she only got £300 (or it could have been £350).

Possibly she is getting low rate care and low rate mobility or perhaps just high rate mobility and no care component. Getting a Daily Living component on PIP would allow her son to be treated as a carer and claim Carers Allowance or get the care element of UC.

Is the son already claiming any benefits and if so what? Does he have a health condition himself?

Cartini

calcotti said:

Cartini said:

She doesn`t get enough to allow our son to be declared a carer for her, the last time I asked her about it (over a year ago) she only got £300 (or it could have been £350).

Possibly she is getting low rate care and low rate mobility or perhaps just high rate mobility and no care component. Getting a Daily Living component on PIP would allow her son to be treated as a carer and claim Carers Allowance or get the care element of UC.

Is the son already claiming any benefits and if so what? Does he have a health condition himself?

Thank you calcotti.

I`ll ask her next time I contact her (out of interest), our son isn`t claiming any benefits at all and he lives with his mother.

He was a qualified plasterer, but he developed keratoconus (eye problem).  A specialist made it very clear that it`s a dual cornea transplant and definitely no plastering or plastering, no transplant and worsening of his eyesight, so he had the transplant. 

He suffers from PTSD and (I think) anxiety.  He`s also got osgood-schlatters disease (bad knees) which affects his walking.  I`ve mentioned PIP to him, but for some reason he`s reluctant to go for it.  I think he believes he has to be on his last legs to claim. 

On the other hand, it could be a confidence thing (or even depression) because he`s experienced a number of not particularly nice events when growing up (my wife and I parting, me having a breakdown then not long after that a brain injury and his older brother trying to end it all). 

I`m going to be seeing him soon, then I can get a more accurate idea of his condition(s).

Unfortunately he`s like me in that he`s stubborn and refuses to give in until he really has to

calcotti

He could also look at Universal Credit (and/or new style ESA).
If he is unable to work and we’re found to have LCWRA he wouldn’t be entitled to get the carer element of UC as well as the LCWRA element so the question of whether or not he could be treated as a carer would cease to be relevant.

Cartini

calcotti said:

He could also look at Universal Credit (and/or new style ESA).
If he is unable to work and we’re found to have LCWRA he wouldn’t be entitled to get the carer element of UC as well as the LCWRA element so the question of whether or not he could be treated as a carer would cease to be relevant.

Thnk you calcotti. 

I`m going for a meal with him soon, I`ll have a chat with him over his health and what he may be able to apply for.

Thank you for your advice.

Andy

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @Cartini. It is the very least you deserve.

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