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My husband applied for higher rate mobility at his PIP review, due to complications both prior to and after total knee replacement surgery. He had a blue badge, had to buy an automatic car and a disabled parking bay after the surgery. The high rate mobility was denied so we applied to paper tribunal and it was awarded within about 8 weeks. The only piece of evidence sent was a statement from me about how his daily mobility has changed since the operation.

Hi,

I’ve looked through the Forum, but can’t find anyone asking this, so would really appreciate any help.
I’m receiving DLA (HR Care and HR Mobility) and have been since around 2006.. I have just turned 65, though I’m not due to receive my State Pension until I’m 67. I seem to recall that entitlement to DLA ends at 65, which for some is State Pension age. Please can someone tell me whether my DLA will end with me now being 65, or at 67 which is my State Pension age?

If it does end at 65, when exactly will it finish? And when will I be likely to hear from the DWP?

I’m very concerned as my DLA is the majority of my income (I do receive CB ESA Support Group / now NS ESA) and is also crucial to me receiving Council Tax Reduction and enables me to automatically qualify for my Blue Badge.

Thank you.

Bunty.

Hi salb125
If its any consolation, I've been a carer for my son for the past 10 years.
I applied for PIP about 18 months ago and got it at the lower rate, no Mobility allowance, because I have stage 3 Emphysema and Vascular Disease.
I don't know what you might get, but it's definitely worth giving it a go, and make sure you describe your worst days and how you feel, just because you're a carer doesn't mean you can't be quite sick yourself, and if you drive don't forget to apply for a blue badge.
Good luck and god bless

Hi Stardust100

I can't tell you whether or not you should appeal and put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration - that is something you will have to decide for yourselves. The DWP won't care that he drives an automatic car or has been awarded a blue badge by your local council.

What you need to focus on is the distance he can walk and the "reliability" criteria. Clearly, I have no idea what your husband wrote on a form or in a letter, but if he told them he can walk "further than the required distance, but it leaves him in pain.." I can see why they took the opportunity to turn him down. An assessor probably thought that is 2a. "Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points." They also could have thought that he was in pain after walking 200 meters.

If you didn't already - you need to make it clear at what point his pain begins and I suspect it is long before 200 metres. If he's still walking on crutches and he's still having physio - then there's a possibility he experiences pain before he even stands up and moves about. If he's using two crutches he's walking slower than someone without knee trouble, could have balance issues and is probably experiencing exhaustion from the pain and efforts to walk. Does he have to stop after a short distance? Does he suffer from shortness of breath or dizziness from the pain? Could he walk a certain distance and then repeat it? (I assume not). Is he safe on crutches? (many people are not) See page 89 of the Guide to PIP Claims & Reviews for how you may be able to strengthen your response.

BIS

Husband just had letter to say higher rate mobility has been refused at PIP review..he asked for higher rate as he is in constant pain and using crutches
Has had to get an automatic car and blue badge. Had a different knee replacement operation and still having physio months after the operation.
Is it worth appealing ? He can walk further than then required distance but it leaves him in pain

Thank you.

I checked and they have literally just re-used last time's decision, including a mistake that I didn't challenge because it would have made no difference to the award level.

I think they just flicked through the evidence bundle, thought it looked kosher and last time's award was decent enough, and left it at that.

I will think on it for a few days. I'm currently also dealing with a level 2 complaint to Social Services, and have to go for a Blue Badge assessment.

People who believe that disabled people get everything handed to us on a plate have absolutely no idea of the hoops we have to jump through to get anything, and how exhausting it is!

Husband just had a phone call from PIP about his PIP Renewal. He asked for high rate mobility, as he had a knee replacement last summer and has been in constant pain since. He has a blue badge and has just had a disabled parking bay marked out at the front of our house.. He has physio and hydrotherapy at the hospital, as recommended by the consultant. She also noted down his painkiller medication. The DWP advisor has included all the information to his notes and now he's got to wait approx 2 weeks to hear the result.

Hi,
I have mod/severe M.E and just received a letter from ME clinic with 1st appointment.
With the letter was an IMP (Individual Management Plan for ME/CFS UC) form, however this is laid out with virtually identical wording to a benefits application. On page 8 it states 'The above was laid out differently as it is adapted to capture information DWP may require in applying for supporting benefits. One of my benefits if up for renewal later in 2026 as is my blue badge. Any advice for completing it? Should I complete it? Is it a sneaky benefits review form? There is no letters on the form to state its re a WCA or Uc/PIP/ESA assessment.
I am using up all my energy trying to tell my family what they should write to complete it, I'm very worried and exhausted lol. Has anyone else received this or similar?
Thank you, Smiler from south devon.

I worried for years about claiming with invisible illnesses but thanks to the guides on this website I managed to claim:
- blue badge (claimed before PIP)
- support group in Contribution based ESA
- standard daily living and enhanced mobility on PIP

Everything was accepted first time, paper based for blue badge and ESA and a telephone assessment for PIP. So thank you to the team here who have made a stressful process much easier for me with your guides.

The part I agonised over was the walking. I love walking and it's encouraged as part of my POTS rehab so how could I get any points when I can walk 3 miles on my best days?

Well when I really looked at myself I am housebound 5 days a week and that's because I don't feel able to walk further than the rooms in my house. In the mornings when my symptoms are worst I get palpitations just walking 10m to the bathroom and my Visible app is alerting me that my HR is elevated too high. I immediately have to get back into bed and rest. Until 11am I literally only walk to the bathroom and back and my husband has to fetch everything for me. This means I cannot reliably, repeatedly or safely walk 20m. This is my reality every single day of my life, even on my absolute best days where I might go for a walk later. It was a big mind shift to not worry about my maximum capacity but focus on my lowest abilities within each day and week.

I just wanted to share that it is possible to get these benefits for POTS and ME/CFS even if you're not bed bound or wheelchair bound.

Hi all.
I submitted my Application this week. In doing so I wrote that I am unable to work due to chronic health reasons.. regardless I have a first commitments interview soon. I am not physically able to work and have made huge financial compromises to survive whilst not working for past few years. I'm worried I'll be forced into work. I appreciate there is a Work Capability pathway. I would sooner be put on this.

I have extensive medical records. Blue badge and receive full PIP for both elements. If forced to work - which I can't, this would jeopardise my PIP.

Please advise.
Thanks 🙏

Hi, my PIP was due to be reviewed by May this year but had heard nothing, I assumed because of the backlog. I needed my Blue Badge renewed and expected just 3 months before expiry on new badge. I went to council hub in library to renew badge but when they accessed my PIP records it had been extended in November for 3 years! New date being Nov 2028. I know awards have sometimes been extended up to a year due to backlog but 3 years was a surprise. I have not heard anything. Have they gone by previous review form? Last review was for 5 years and they told me on phone they would have given ongoing except they know my condition could deteriorate. I had also highlighted sentence from neuro where he said my symptoms would be ongoing. My disability rights advisor said he's had a couple of people contact him with same thing? Have they gone by my previous review information? Thanks.

Hi
I just wanted to say a really big thank you for all the information on here that has really helped me with my review, I can’t believe what has just happened,
So I sent my review off and was received by dwp on 14th July 2025 waited patiently and never heard a thing other than the usual text with updates, so today I called them as my blue badge runs out in March 2026 and my local council needs 12 weeks for renewal, the lady said that she would put me through to a case worker as my review was still in a holding que (what ever that means )
Well the case worker was amazing he told me that after looking at my file he felt there was enough evidence (I sent loads ) for him to make a decision today and told me I would receive a letter 2nd class in 2 weeks, he called me back 5 mins later and just asked a few more questions, and said he just wanted to let me know it would be done today and as my health had deteriorated it wouldn’t be going down, so later today I checked online in proof of benefits etc and it showed an indefinite award of enhanced on both, before it showed enhanced but until may 2026, I thought I was seeing things,
Is there such a thing as an indefinite award I thought it was a 10 year only, I am currently 59 so still away to go before retirement!
Once again thank you so so much for all the help on this site
Rosie

Hi Julie

If you only received a 2-year award and as you are only 62 you haven't yet reached state pension age, you are unlikely to receive a light-touch award. On your last report did it say anything about the award length? When you do get a review form, put in an additional note about the length of the award and emphasise that your conditions will never improve. If you have anything from a previous report that mentions it - quote from that too.

Re your blue badge. Many PIP claimants have found themselves in the same position as you - and unfortunately, there is very little you can do. Your local council won't renew your badge at the current time because you have no current proof that your PIP award is valid beyond December. The DWP is unlikely to give you a letter that will satisfy the council when your PIP is due a review. Some people have tried to apply for a blue badge directly without the correct PIP letter, others have just waited until they have the proof and others have tried to contact the DWP to find out what is happening and mostly have received a negative response. So I'm afraid I can't tell you what to do here - you will have to do what feels right and if you want to know a timetable for your PIP review you will have to ring them.

BIS

I’d like some advice please as my PIP is up for
Review in December, and my blue badge runs out when my PIP award does.
I only got a 2 year award (both high rate) despite being told on the previous time that I would only be getting light touch reviews every so often. I’m 62, and my conditions will never improve, only deteriorate.
I’m worried about my blue badge running out as it’s currently a 12 week renewal wait, and I will struggle without it.
Should I contact PIP and ask them what’s happening with my review, explaining this? Or is it better to let sleeping dogs lie?

Hi

I had a PIP review at the end of March 2025; it took the PIP people over 5 months to review my claim.... My Blue Badge ran out in May & my local council would not renew it because I had no evidence of any future awards! I finally received my award notice at the end of September 2025. I was scared to chase it up with the DWP as I was worried they would single me out and automatically deny me PIP. I sympathise with you, and I mean that; I had paranoid thoughts that they were watching me, monitoring me, all sorts of thoughts running through my head, perhaps they didn't believe me etc etc. Try not to worry! Easier said than done I know. PIP are receiving so many new claims, I don't think they can cope. Stay strong! Joon

Hi, first post, hope it's in the right place, and ok, etc. Been extremely distressed. Historical and ongoing poor treatment by DWP incl. being driven to attempt su!cide. The ID online seemed to have a fault and skipped past where you could upload photo ID and said 'we can identify you another way'... told on the phone not to worry as it had confirmed me already. Then they insisted on a phone call for biographical? I eventually agreed against my better judgement due to past harm. Then, late on a Friday they changed this without notice/consultation to an in-person appointment at the job centre. This sent me into crisis. Now, a complaint response to my MP say this was a "mistake" for which they apologised and offered me another call which I declined. NONE OF THAT IS TRUE as evidenced by the journal records. Due to DWP's 'safeguarding', they referred me to social care saying I was about to have my claim cancelled they can't identify me. I applied mid-July and DWP have recorded back then I am now "financially vulnerable".. Social care told DWP that I cannot attend the job centre nor have home visit due to my disabilities and the huge distress I am in. I am autistic with PTSD from severe violence, struggle greatly outside, have blue badge, etc. DWP are very aware of the suicidality they have and are causing, and hold medical evidence that they were a factor in an attempt. No explanation has been provided why I cannot identify online to either my MP or me. The MP says they can't do anything more because this is 'DWP process'. DWP now say that if I don't complete the ID imminently, my claim will be cancelled and I will lose all transitional protection if I claim again and there is no rectification or appeal for that. They have sent final letter offering only a standard job centre appointment, attending job centre in a quiet room (doesn't help with the PTSD or my inability to make the journey), a home visit or calling me for details to try and identify with a previous employer. Only the last option doesn't clash with social care's request? (who DWP referred me to). I have asked again why I can't identify online. I have asked for the phone appt again. They have refused and say the ONLY options are the ones in the letter shared above. I am extremely isolated and rarely go outside the garden gate. I am terrified of people coming here as I was left unconscious after an attack. They are cancelling my claim next week. I have been on income-related ESA Support Group for over a decade. Please can anyone advise why they won't let me identify online, and now have even removed the option of a phone call? They message again today and state "we cannot verify you identification by phone" even though they previously agreed to do so that they then messed up by booking as an in-person job centre appointment by "mistake". I don't understand. They cause me so much distress and anxiety. I physically shake and have a panic attack when I have to sign in to the journal due to the serious harm they have caused me. What should I do? Sorry for such long post. I have no-one to ask or get support from. Thank you so much. I am grateful.

Hi Sum,
Automatic eligibility requires 10 PTS under 1e. This is people who have overriding psychological distress and therefore can not go out. Unfortunately there is no automatic qualification for 1 f. I'm not sure why this is so.
I suggest you carefully go through the criteria particular those involved with issues such as having difficulties being safe around traffic, whether wandering off occurs, and severely struggling to plan or follow a route. Think about what goes wrong, and how the problem is resolved including what intervention is required by someone else and for how long etc.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi Sum

We do not take it personally, if we can help with information we will try.

Gary

Congratulations on the BB.

Onyx123

Hi Gary ,

Sorry for venting on here ......