Claiming PIP when you're completely unable to leave bed? DWP won't accept she can't prepare a meal

pollyanna1052 · May 2021

Hi Karen, oh my word! Your poor sister is suffering so much and the DWP need to listen better to her situation.
A few of your sister's problem are like mine.
I have Primary Progressive MS. I haven't walked for around 20 years and haven't been able to stand for around 9 years.

I use an electric wheelchair, a hoist and a hospital bed, and a riser recliner chair.
I have help with all personal care and cant reach anything in the kitchen so cant cook.I don't have the strength to carry pans etc.

I went from DLA to PIP around 3 years ago. It worried me sick, having to justify my need for PIP.
It was before covid, so an assessor came to my house. She was pleasant but official. She asked me to raise my legs. I have wasted muscles, so couldn't do it.

The report from her gave me full PIP, but she said I could go to town alone and cook a meal....both are wrong, but I didn't need to fight it.

Your sister does need to fight this.

The DWP don't want to know about any diagnosis, but they do want to know if a condition will or wont improve.

Does your sis have a consultant? I sent letters from hospital appointments, carers' letters, and prescription forms.
GPs are rarely contacted by DWP. Perhaps you could a letter from the nurses detailing their input.

Have you tried sending in a Mandatory Appeal? These sometimes change DWP decision..or as you say, you may have to go to tribunal.

All this stress and worry is horrible.

I hope you get somewhere with the RIGHT decision.

Best wishes, Polly xxxx

KarenA · May 2021

Ok thank you. That makes it clearer for me now.

KarenA · August 2021

So, my sister was too scared to ask for MC as she was frightened they would take points away, and she really needed the money. She has just died from her illnesses. Her heart just couldn't manage the continued fight against infection. It just went on too long, one round of antibiotics after another, nothing worked for long.

I'm so angry that they didnt give her the points she deserved. I wondered if anybody had ever argued with the DWP after someone had died to try and get her the award she needed.

Justcheckingin15 · August 2021

@KarenA, I am so terribly sorry for your loss, others on here may offer you the info your asking.

chiarieds · August 2021

I'm so sorry to read about the problems your sister faced, & her death. You tried to do so much for her, so appreciate how very much the loss of her must mean to you.

I know how I felt after the death of our youngest daughter...there had to be a reason, or the loss of her didn't make any sense. I'm probably not putting it very well, but that's how I felt; there just had to be a reason for her short life. Took me years to find it, but, as this was a very long time ago, & before I had access to the internet, I eventually found it once I could research with the internet, & I hope, believe, helped others.

This might not be how you feel, but you could help others with your sister's disorders by supporting appropriate charities. You will also hopefully remain a member here, & help others. I could be wrong, but I believe that by helping others, it doesn't necessarily make sense about your loss, but it helps, if you can help others. Your sister's life mattered.

Again, sorry, I'm possibly not putting it very well, but please know we're all here to support you, talk to you whenever you need.

KarenA · August 2021

How do I become her appointee if she has already died? She did write to the DWP at the time of her claim saying that she wanted me to deal with her claim as she was too ill to deal with it, butvtgey ignored it and wrote to her anyway . Will this be enough do you think? Her husband really needs the money now. Her illness cost them so much money as she was buying her own pads and bandages etc to wrap her legs. And all her sickness pay had ended long ago.

KarenA · August 2021

Ps, thanks for all your kindness and help

Cher_Alumni · August 2021

Hello @KarenA

I wanted to add my condolences to those already expressed. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. It sounds as if she put up a real fight to the end in dealing with her conditions and I can't imagine how hard that must have been to see, being someone you loved so dearly. If you ever need any help with managing your grief, please do reach out to someone you feel comfortable talking to. Be that friends, family, your GP or maybe a specialist organisation like Cruse.

I hope Mike's advice about becoming an appointee will help you take the next steps in continuing the PIP claim. While thinking more about the expenses your sister's husband faced, I wonder if he'd be entitled to the Bereavement Support Payment? Eligibility for this is outlined as:

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months.

You must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to get the full amount. You can claim up to 21 months after their death but you’ll get fewer monthly payments.

Bereavement Support Payment has replaced Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension), Bereavement Payment, and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.

You could be eligible if your partner either:

paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since 6 April 1975

died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work

When they died you must have been:

under State Pension age

living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits

You cannot claim BSP if you’re in prison.

And here's a further link to How to claim.

Also, he might want to check his eligibility for other benefits using Scope's benefits calculator. This gives an indication of what people may be entitled to; while for more personalised support, he could find a local welfare advisor through the Advice Local website.

Thinking of you and your family at this hard time. Please do lean on our community if we can help with anything else.

KarenA · August 2021

So do you know what regulation I need to quote to become an appointee after someone dies? The link above just talks about people who are living

KarenA · August 2021

I'd just like to know so I know I'm on solid ground. I'd like to read it for myself . I find it hard to "persist" if I dont know the regulations for myself. They will just say she is dead, I cant argue with that can i

Claiming PIP when you're completely unable to leave bed? DWP won't accept she can't prepare a meal

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