PIP - Haemophilia Arthropathy (haemarthropathy)

Hi All,

I just wanted to share my experience to date and ask if anyone else suffers from Haemophillia & Arthropathy.

I have been diagnosed with Hemophilia A Severe (a bleeding disorder) since birth (1980s).
My parents claimed DLA back then when I was a child and after becoming an Adult, I applied and got DLA higher rate mobility.

Over the years, and due to bleeds in my ankles, I developed Haemophilia arthropathy, a condition that limits movement in my ankles and causes sharp, acute pain.

I got the letter around May 2018 stating I had to apply for PIP, so i did using the guidance available from the haemophilia society.

I got invited to the medical assessment, I went and waited for the letter which said, true to form, that I was eligible for nothing under PIP, despite being on the higher rate of mobility under DLA.

I appealed via the mandatory reconsideration route and submitted new evidence from my clinical physiotherapist who specialises in haemophilia.

Early December 2018, DWP PIP maintained I was eligible to nothing...

I found it strange because it seems like Haemophilia Arthropathy was put in the public domain somewhat by Written statement - HCWS793 made by Sarah Newton (Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work)

See here for full statement
www.parliament.uk/business/publications/.../2018-06-25/HCWS793/

I made reference to this when asking for a mandatory reconsideration but the decision maker responded as follows...

. I have noted you have made a reference to the written statement by Sarah Newton, the Minster of State for Disabled People, Health and Work regarding Haemophilia Arthropathy. The DWP is addressing this statement and all claimants that have been reassessed from DLA to PIP since June 2018 will be captured in a second scan and looked at by the LEAP team in due course. Therefore until your case is reviewed by this specific team, I have reviewed your claim under the current PIP criteria.

I have now appealed to the tribunal using the online gov.uk link and have requested my physiotherapist for one more report (their support has been amazing).

I guess my questions are...

1. Does anybody know what the LEAP team is?
2. Has anyone gone through the PIP process with Haemophillia or Haemarthropathy?

Thanks
LZ

Thanks Gordon