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mandatory reconsideration notice

angelac
angelac Community member Posts: 1 Listener
in Benefits and financial support
My daughter recently asked for a pip mandatory reconsideration for pip award. She was previously entitled to higher rate dla. After her pip assesment she was awarded 10 points for Moving Around question. She was awarded 0 points for planning and following a journey. They said she can plan and follow a journey unaided. We argued that this is not the case. She may be able to plan a journey mentally but without help from another person she cannot undertake the journey alone. She is pushed in a wheelchair when out. They said this question is designed to assess the barriers claimants face that are associated with mental,cognitive or sensory ability. They decided they would not reconsider and give her the extra points. Surely the physical ability to complete a journey alone should come in to it as well ? She might know how to get into town and what bus to take but what good us that if she is unable to complete it alone? I would like to ask if it is worth going ahead with an appeal. Thanks in advance
Angela
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Comments

  • Nystagmite
    Nystagmite Community member Posts: 596 Pioneering
    They're right. If your only disability is that you're unable to walk, it's the moving around that applies. The planning and following a journey applies to people with sensory, learning and mental health problems. You won't get any points because you need someone to push you in your wheelchair.
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  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Community member Posts: 2,621 Pioneering
    Hello. Nystagmite is correct to say that the PIP rules separate out the Activities into 'planning and following a journey' and 'moving around'. If the disabled person has no mental health issues, sensory problems, learning disabilities or other cognitive impairments which affect their ability to plan and follow a journey, then there will be no points available from that activity. The only points available would come from the Moving Around activity, and if your daughter has been awarded 10 points in this activity, then DWP have decided that she can' stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres'. If this is a correct assessment of her walking ability, then you may have to accept that she is rightfully entitled to the standard rate of the mobility component and leave it at that. However, you need to consider whether or not that assessment of the distance she can walk is correct - many people have an inaccurate perception of just how far 20 - 50m is, so it may be worth measuring it out. Also vitally important is the part of the PIP regulations which states; 'when assessing entitlement to PIP, consideration of an individual's ability to complete an activity must include whether they can do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period'. This wording is critical - your daughter may be able to walk between 20 - 50m, but can she do it safely, repeatedly, in an acceptable time frame etc? You may consider that this is a better route to challenge than trying to gain points from the planning and following a journey activity. The Scope helpline may have details of any local advice agencies which may be able to help you prepare the next phase of your challenge, and you can also get support and information from a website called www.benefitsandwork.co.uk. Although it is partly a membership website, the moderators who work on it may be able to support you and there is very detailed information on the site about the PIP activities. 
    I hope this helps!
    Jayne
    The Benefits Training Co:

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