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PIP - MR - Mobility
JaneyAnne
Member Posts: 4 Listener
Hi, I'm new here, I'm a PA for a lady who has MS. Last year we had to complete the DLA to PIP process. Pleased that on the basis of what we submitted, without a face to face assessment, she was awarded the enhanced rate for care. However, a major problem is that she has not been awarded enhanced mobility rate (which she had on DLA) - she has been awarded 0 for 'planning and following a journey' but 10 for 'moving around'. The lack of 2 points means she will lose her Motability vehicle which is her lifeline. I am working with her on MR - we have contacted DWP by phone and I am now getting information onto paper. I would welcome any assistance!
On the original application we put that she cannot carry out an unfamiliar journey without assistance (she has cognitive problems) and I described how we need to arrange rail assistance including the use of a station chair. For familiar journeys, she can drive herself short distances in her Motability vehicle but needs a SatNav - she also must have an electronic handbrake as she has a left handed weakness.
In the comments on the decision the assessor has disregarded our comments about having difficulty and planning journeys as the GP and I mentioned she can drive and access the community. They do not consider using the satnav as an aid. The main issue is that she can only access the community by car because she has a Motability vehicle. Without this, she would lose her independence. She cannot afford to purchase her own vehicle with an electronic handbrake. Is there any point stating that this is the case and describing how difficult it was for her to plan and get to places when she did not have her car (DVLA suspended her licence for a while)? She has to use a motorised scooter / wheelchair if she has no car.
Her other PA and I are going to write letters giving specific information about how we have to assist her to go about journeys - often she has fatigue so although she could physically drive herself (e.g. to go shopping) we drive her. If she drove, she would have no energy to shop. Does that count as 'following a journey'? We help her in all aspects of planning journeys that are not her regular jaunts, and have to write notes for her to make sure she gets to where she needs to be. Despite this, she sometimes doesn't make it as she forgets. I have taken note of others comments that we must state how her disability restricts her ability to carry out the specific activities.
Apologies for the length of my first post but, as you can imagine, she is really low about this decision.
Many thanks
Janey Anne
On the original application we put that she cannot carry out an unfamiliar journey without assistance (she has cognitive problems) and I described how we need to arrange rail assistance including the use of a station chair. For familiar journeys, she can drive herself short distances in her Motability vehicle but needs a SatNav - she also must have an electronic handbrake as she has a left handed weakness.
In the comments on the decision the assessor has disregarded our comments about having difficulty and planning journeys as the GP and I mentioned she can drive and access the community. They do not consider using the satnav as an aid. The main issue is that she can only access the community by car because she has a Motability vehicle. Without this, she would lose her independence. She cannot afford to purchase her own vehicle with an electronic handbrake. Is there any point stating that this is the case and describing how difficult it was for her to plan and get to places when she did not have her car (DVLA suspended her licence for a while)? She has to use a motorised scooter / wheelchair if she has no car.
Her other PA and I are going to write letters giving specific information about how we have to assist her to go about journeys - often she has fatigue so although she could physically drive herself (e.g. to go shopping) we drive her. If she drove, she would have no energy to shop. Does that count as 'following a journey'? We help her in all aspects of planning journeys that are not her regular jaunts, and have to write notes for her to make sure she gets to where she needs to be. Despite this, she sometimes doesn't make it as she forgets. I have taken note of others comments that we must state how her disability restricts her ability to carry out the specific activities.
Apologies for the length of my first post but, as you can imagine, she is really low about this decision.
Many thanks
Janey Anne
Replies
Goodluck.
The simple fact is that if the claimant cannot reliably walk more than 20 metres then she should be awarded 12 points. Those 12 points will give her the right to a Motability car
That is what she should be looking at in proving.
The planning section has absolutely nothing to do with a Motability car.
The concensus from your contributions seems to be that it's either 12 points from one section or the other. Has anyone had points awarded in both?
She does have anxiety and depression, and this, combined with the fatigue from MS which affects concentration makes her reliant on others to plan and take her to places. I work out how she is going to get from A to B by different means for anything that is not in her weekly routine. From your responses it seems that this may not be relevant and we may have to concentrate on the mobility issue.
I have spoken to a CAB advisor as suggested by Poppy, and thankful that there was advice over the phone available.
I appreciate all your input.
The paragraph you've put with the specific questions is a great help, thank you!