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DLA TO PIP ISSUES

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DanielWearne
DanielWearne Community member Posts: 6 Listener
in PIP, DLA, and AA
HI, I am a 36 year old man and I have right hemiplegia. I have no real functional use of my right hand and arm, although I am fully ambulant. I currently receive low rate DLA care component (approx £22 a week) which I have received on an indefinite award since I was around 17. I recognise that at some point I am going to be asked to claim PIP, and my main question is, when? I see differing dates for when all DLA recipients will have been changed over to PIP, and I can't find an accurate timeline. Therefore I jump every time I check the mail. Any info regarding dates would be hugely gratefully received.
Also, I am not sure if I will qualify for PIP: I only get lower rate care - what are the success rates for people with hemiplegia? I can argue that I deserve 8+ points for daily living, but my evidence is lacking. I have no dealings with medical professionals, aside from when I broke my hip in 2009 falling on ice whilst walking the dog. I work - not amazingly paid - and receive tax credits. Will these be affected if I do not get PIP?Obviously if I get PIP I will be substantially better off (to the tune of an extra £32.65 a week for standard rate daily living PIP) so should I bite the bullet and apply now? My condition has worsened since my mid twenties - my limp is more pronounced since I broke my hip, and my stamina is less. Sometimes I struggle to walk, though I don't use any aids. Should I try and evidence this?
Sorry for the many questions. I would just love to know where I stand.
Thank you.
Dan
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  • Matilda
    Matilda Community member Posts: 2,593 Disability Gamechanger
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    @DanielWearne

    I wouldn't apply for PIP until you really have to as transition from DLA to PIP isn't always smooth.  The DWP will contact you soon enough.

    Meanwhile, I suggest that you re-post in 'Ask a benefits advisor' category for expert advice.

    You don't necessarily have to have a great deal of medical evidence to claim PIP but you could ask your GP for a letter stating your diagnosis and that you have no functional use of your right arm and that you struggle to walk at times.  The PIP process is all about what you say you can and can't do, not your condition itself.  Your disabilities have to affect your ability to perform certain daily tasks and to walk at least 50% of the time (four days or more out of seven, on average).  Fatigue is taken into account.

    I'm no expert (though recently I won enhanced rate daily living and mobility at a tribunal) but I'd say that virtually no use of your right arm limits your ability to do quite a lot reliably and safely: i.e. in a reasonable time and without risk of injury.  And your mobility is impaired.    You might think about using a walking stick on bad days.

    Mobility criteria for PIP.  Able to walk, aided or unaided (until you need to stop and rest for a minute or so):

    0-20 metres = 12 points (enhanced)

    20-50 metres = 10 points (standard)

    50-200 metres = 8 points (standard)

    Disability Rights website has a good guide to PIP.  As does Scope site - search under 'Support and information'.
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  • DanielWearne
    DanielWearne Community member Posts: 6 Listener
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    Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your advice. 
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