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Hi there

Quick question for anyone that can help. I gave my review form November 24. Didn't hear back at all until I phones up in June, as my blue badge needed renewing and my pip was runninh out.
On the call they said an extension letter had been sent out until June 26. They then said I'd probably only hear from them in November.

Which brings me to now. I received a Maximus has my review text on monday, which went me spiraling. I'm recently coming down from a bipolar episode. As the text was so unexpected I thought I'd be dealing in winter.

My carer called the dwp today for a bit of a guide of what will happen and to tell them it would need to be by telephone. Which the gentleman confirm. He said they have until August 14th to complete it.


So, is that time frame a normal thing? As I thought they had a backlog.

Secondly. Will they give me notice of an assessment date and how long is it? How will they notify me of a date? And can it be rearranged at all?

I'd like to go for a break and now feels like my summer is in complete limbo. After having all my physical procedures done at times were I can enjoy the summer. That's to my surgeon.

I'm just quite nervous now and really disappointed at the timing.

ive recently been told that i may qualify for 50% reduction or even free car tax, as i am on PIP & have A blue badge. my car is 20 years onld so gets charged heavily for car tax. Do you know if such a scheme is correct & if so. can it be backdated to when i was first awarded PIP?? any advice is greatly appreciated

regrds DC

hi, i have recently been told that i can get my car tax reduced by 50%, as I am on PIP. my car tax is high as its a very old vehicle. I also have a blue badge.

Have you heard of this?? could anyone please advise how to claim & if its possible to back date?? any advice is greatly appreciated

kind regards

Thank you Bis really appreciate your reply as usual. Your help is gratefully received. Lizzie

Hi lizzie23

Your question is outside the remit of this forum, so I can't give you a definitive answer.

The council are just asking for a prescription list - I don't think they will notice whether or not it is on repeat.

BIS

Hi I wonder whether you can help me please. My husband is on the higher rate Attendance allowance and is in receipt of a Blue Badge which is up for renewal. Upon trying to renew we were told it had to be a new application not renewal. Completed forms and they have now come back asking for repeat prescription list. His prescriptions are not on repeat but on a need to use basis as Dr is monitoring the medication
He has severe arthritis, excema, acid reflux and has had one hip replaced and needs another.
We have had form showing all his medications but they are not on repeat.
Do you know whether this will affect receipt of a Blue Badge as his mobility is severely restricted and he does need one? Many thanks Mo

My partner requested a PIP review in Aug last year as his walking was slightly improved. He had been enhanced score for both sections.
It took until December to get the phone assessment. It was difficult as he has depression and anxiety, and ongoing back pain so I was with him prompting the whole time and I had all the previous and current claims laid out to refer to. On the phone, they can't hear my prompting so at times I was able to speak with the assessor to explain things clearer (I'm carer).

We received the decision in January and they decided to only give Standard rate for daily living and nothing for mobility. They only awarded 4 points in moving around.

The bit we are most concerned about is when we requested a copy of the assessor's report, in the justifications section they almost always use 'no imput from MH services' as a reason to not recognise the impact of long term anxiety and depression on that activity (nor the need for me to prompt, support and encourage). In previous awards this has always been recognised, and even in the assessors report it refers back to reasons for ending his job partly due to anxiety, and that he has depression but cannot tolerate medications.

He cannot follow an unfamiliar journey without me supporting him, and he has to plan meticulously in advance and use a sat nav, sometimes with a back up sat nav and printed out google map directions. If the journey is diverted, he has to stop and we deal with the panic and reset the sat nav before we can continue the journey. Before an unfamiliar journey he has great anxiety and restless sleep, sometimes doing a dummy run if it is short journey just to reassure himself. It has happened that if a traffic diversion is required, he chooses to abandon the trip and return home. It is noted by the assessor that he has the mood disorder most days and does not connect socially other than with a therapy group.
I feel this level of anxiety and uncertainty should fall under 'Planning and following journeys' score (d). In the past I think this was the award given.

We requested a MR and we obtained a GP letter confirming his depression, anxiety and that he was unable to tolerate the antidepressant/anxiety meds due to the side effects. It took ages to get the letter and we did not get the GP appointment beforehand to give a current assessment as the GP said time was limited so she went from his medical history. She is his MH support, and he has had contact with the support team at the medical practise both f2f and by phone. I feel this shows MH service input. You cannot be referred to secondary MH services here until it becomes a serious care issue.
With the MR I referred them back to previous PIP records to support the long term nature of his MH condition even though he was not under a MH service other than GP and MH therapy group, even quoting one section of a past claim. I supplied the GP confirmation. I also expanded information on the activities they had not considered the MH imput fully.

The MR decided that they were sticking with the original score.

We are now at the point of considering a tribunal... and whether it is worth it as it will cause considerable distress to someone who has severe anxiety and social fobia.
We have to continue to appeal as he reached pension age in March so we would not be able to begin a new claim. This is his last chance.
The loss of his Blue Badge will make unfamiliar journeys almost impossible as finding parking and managing payment is a contributing factor.

Is it worth us pushing for a tribunal? Would his condition seem to justify the higher score for Planning and following a journey? Does the information I have given here sound reason enough to go through that distress?

I already went through all the site info when preparing his MR so I thought I had done enough to support his claim using this site's recommended phrasing and references.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.

I used CAB Help to Claim, have completed all the To Do items & initiated my claim.

On Saturday 7 June I received notice in my journal of an in-person appointment at the local Job Centre which I cannot access for mobility reasons (there's no Blue Badge or indeed any parking).

I've replied on 8 June & again today requesting a reasonable adjustment to a telephone interview under the Equality Act 2010 and why (severe pain, lasting effects) as suggested elsewhere on your invaluable forum.

No-one has responded, the appointment is for tomorrow, and I'm struggling with anxiety that they'll sanction me.

Please advise, thank you.

Thank you for that advice it’s much appreciated.I will give this a try,Julie

Hi Julie

Unfortunately, you don't automatically qualify for a Blue Badge - but I think their reasoning is utterly stupid. I would respond with something along the lines of :

"I am writing to formally challenge the decision to reject my application for a Blue Badge.

Under the PIP scheme I was awarded 12 points for “planning and following a journey,” because the assessors acknowledged that I am at significant risk due to unpredictable seizures and I never leave the house alone. I know this does not automatically give me the right to a Blue Badge. However, in my view it is illogical and unjust to deny me a Blue Badge on the grounds that having a seizure next to a shop is no different than having one at a bus stop. This reasoning completely ignores the real-world safety implications that I have from my condition, which means I cannot travel alone and do not use public transport, precisely because of the risks involved. (put in what you experience - and the further you are from safety - eg your car - this makes you vulnerable)

According to the government “The aim of the scheme is to help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible (‘hidden’) disabilities to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination.” It seems I am being punished by the local authority for not using public transport despite being at serious risk of harm whenever I have to leave the house, walk any distance or navigate public spaces.

I urge you to review this decision. "

I can't say that this will make any difference, but this is the argument I would use.

BIS

Hello,I received 12 points on planning and following a journey because I have seizures and can drop in an instant without warning.I applied for a blue badge so my husband can take me places in the car.My local authority rejected my application as they said,there was no difference having a seizure next to a shop for example as there would be if I had a seizure at a bus stop going to a shop on local transport.The thing is,I don’t leave the house on my own anyway because it’s not safe fire me so I don’t use public transport.Do you think it’s worth challenging their decision ? many thanks Julie

Hi J.C.
I have just answered another post thst you have made. (I apologise but each post has to be moderated and this can cause delay.)
I'm sorry to hear that you are on your own. Perhaps there are self help groups in your neighbourhood or Meet up Mondays style events? Your local GP or library might have more information about this. Often these sociable groups can provude the opportunity to initiate conversations with people who have similar health problems and the main value is to discuss self help, coping stateless etc. Website self help groups or charities for your conditions may also provide forums to ask for information.
Please read the other post together with this post as you hsve provided more crucial information that I wasn't aware of in your previous post.
First thing - you can always ask DWP to revise benefit to upgrade from standard rate daily living to enhanced rate if your health has become sufficiently worse to merit the additional necessary points. However, the change of circumstances needs to be due to actual bad health not eg a change in living arrangements or lack of availability of a carer.
Mobility awards can not be granted after pension age if you haven't had this before, no matter how bad your walking or ability to make journeys has become. Likewise if you do have a standard mobility award prior to pension age this can not be increased.
I believe your other post mentioned that the current award was made over 2 years ago. This is too long ago to appeal.
Please confirm when did you reach state retirement age, and be eligible for state pension?
If you have reached SRA then I fear that you can no longer receive the mobility award. I have considered relevant caselaw and legislation and none of the listed exceptions seem to apply in the circumstances you have described.
If I am wrong, and you have yet to reach State Retirement Age and this is impending, then if you want to gain a mobility award you MUST ask for a revision now. Then, even if the decision is after SRA or even if you need to appeal, this won't matter because the review was commenced before you were age barred.
Even if you can't get a mobility award under PIP, you can still ask your local council for a Blue Badge. Yoy will have to fill out the entire form, but if you have eg a local Citizens Advice Office someone there might be able to help with the form.
I'm sorry that this may not be a very positive answer but I hope this nevertheless helps.
LL26

Hello and thank you for replying.

No I haven't applied for a carers allowance (even though I've been caring since 2013)

When I read other people's experiences I don't think I fit into the category enough.
Unless I'm reading the forms wrong. Which is a possibility!

I haven't even applied for a Blue Badge either but I'm sure we could have one.

Hi All,
Due to start my ESA to Universal Credit Migration.
With regard to Photo ID(s) I have no Passport as I don't travel abroad anymore due to Mobility issues, the Driving Licence I have is the old Paper type as I haven't driven in years and my Birth Certificate has no photo on it (born in the 1960's)
The Photo ID(s) I do have are A Blue Disabled Parking Badge, Disabled Persons Bus Pass and a local authority Disabled Taxi Scheme Identity Badge/Pass.

Further to the above I understand the DWP could ask me to attend the local Job Centre and could ask me to attend interview if I have no Photo ID?
This wouldn't be too much of an issue, but Mobility wise I am to a large degree "Housebound" and would find it very difficult to get to the local Job Centre.

Please advise on the above as I am worried this will mess up my Migration to Universal Credit.
Thanks & Kindest Regards,
Rob.

Hello,

Sorry for the delay!

I basically put that everything is the same in regards to daily living. Which is what I was awarded for 10 years ago - at enhanced rate.

At the time I stated if I struggled with my mobility I’ll apply for a blue badge. Which I have done and have been awarded. - but I never told PIP. As I was told if I told them of changes, I’ll lose my award and need to re apply (10 years ago). So it gave me anxiety and I didn’t.

The only thing is an additional diagnosis of bladder issues. And a current ADHD wait for an assessment.

I’m hoping it’s over the phone; but I’ve still read so many horror stories on those as well.

My autistic/ADHD daughter was scored (a) but we think she should be scored (b) or (d). We provided statements that she cannot use public transport due to psychological distress and supplied supporting evidence form GP and psychologist. She was lent our car at university (we hadn't realised DSA would pay for taxis) and she drove the short distance to uni (she had a blue badge to park there). She would only go elsewhere if accompanied by someone else or, if no one available, she would always use google maps even if she had been to the place before. The assessors' reply is :
(evidence of her) conditions impact her ability to plan and follow a route and that she needs an orientation aid to plan a route and when this fails, she is unable to problem solve an alternative route. It also states she has problems managing public transport and
unfamiliar journeys. However, is also states she is able to drive her own car and shows a level of concentration, executive and cognitive function to be able to do this. This was not probed sufficiently within the telephone call with the you to be certain of
Sasha’s functional ability within this activity."
This response that she can drive seems to be unlawful, as set out in B&W PIP guide. Any guidance to challenge gratefully received! Many thanks. Sara

Hi rocco1504,
I suggest that you await your forthcoming lung tests and perhaps you can ask the doctor about your walking ability. Or failing that he might well do a report confirming decreasing lung function etc. (At the very least there should be a report sent from the hospital doctor to your GP - you can use this for any MR.)

My view is that you have been confused about the correct mobility test. The correct test is not the bust a gut how far you can go test.
There are 4 criteria all of which need to be satisfied. (These apply to all PIP descriptor activities)
Safely
Acceptable standard
Reasonable time
Repetition

Safety - Is there a risk of substantial harm eg via falls, lack of balance etc?

Acceptable standard- this includes pain, breathlessness, fatigue etc - any walking done with significant pain has to be disregarded. (The same would be for breathlessness etc as well.) This has a rather odd implication that for PIP purposes your walking ability could actually be zero if you have constant pain or breathlessness etc. Not being acceptable could also comprise a poor manner of walking bumping into things (possible overlap with safety here).

Speed is also important. If your speed is over twice that of non disabled person you fail, even if you can ealj more than the 200m limit. Remember also that if you have to pause for a longer time, this may create 2 or more walking amounts. This means what you might perceive as eg 100m might be 33m if you stop twice.

Repetition is the crucial criterion. Journeys encompass a small amount of walking even when done in a car. You need to walk from the house to car and car to the next place. Repetition is all about what you would like to, or could do if non disabled.
Think about the following journeys all with a small walking element-
Take kids to school
Go back home
Go to bank
Go to card shop
Go home
Go back to post box to post written card
Pick up kids
Take kids to ballet and football
Pick up kids again
Visit aunt
Go home....
None of these journeys would be unreasonable across a day, and conceivably other journeys or 'walks' could be done.
Can you do all these potential repetition across the whole day, each day? But, being safe, acceptable and not too slow? Maybe you can, but then other days you are too tired etc you can't gi anywhere? Alternatively perhaps you have better days where you can all of these and more?
If you can't repeat all the required walks each day, being safe, acceptable and within time for the majority of days you should get points relevant to the distance you can actually repeat. In terms if safety - if you are always at risk of a fall then you may never be safe and hence walking ability is again zero - however in this instance you may score points on the planning journeys etc descriptor - need to be accompanied on unfamiliar journeys. (Which would also comprise familiar journeys hence all journeys = 12 points.)

By asking for an MR, you wouldn't normally have to undertake another assessment. It is very unlikely that you would lose the existing award- if this did occur you could appeal to the tribunal.
Normally you have 1 month after the initial decision to send in an MR letter. If you are a little bit late dye to awaiting a medical report from your specialist, don't worry, explain you had to wait for this hence the lateness. This should not be a problem if you do this.

To counter any possible DWP argument that sny new medical report refers to now, and hence not the time of decision, ask the specialist to confirm that you have an ongoing deteriorating condition (if this is so). Many conditions don't deteriorate overnight - this happens over months if not years and hence is relevant for a decision made a month or so ago.
Perhaps you can ask (or make your own) comparison from last tests and now. Include increasing medication too.

If you are approaching state pension age, if you do ask for a review in order to receive a mobility award now, the law prevents a new mobility award after this age. Additionally, if you have a standard mobility award, whilst this can continue post pension age, again the law prevents a subsequent enhanced award. Therefore it it important to ask DWP to consider mobility before you become too old !!

I hope this helps.
LL26

Thank you BIS for your help. and my apologies for the tardy reply.

I think half of the problem was that a lot of the doctors reports i had were 6-18 months old and a lot has changed since then, and I don't really have any up to date reports, although I had a full lung function test last week and I'm seeing a couple of people in a month or so, so will have new evidence for the reports.
Is it possible to ask for a "Change of Circumstances " without having to go through the rigmarole of a new application ??, and they just look at the new evidence with what they already have sort of thing ??.

Anyway, thank you so much for your help it really has been useful for me.

Kind regards
Paul

Hello, I did my light touch review forms last year. And I’m still waiting. - I’ve been told I’m going for an assessment. Which last time 10 years ago was horrific. I found my court paperwork with my award on it. - the judge basically said that it’s inappropriate to fix a term onto my claim and my first annual letter after that says my claim is on going. In my review - I explained that those conditions have stayed the same/I’ve had to make other adjustments to suit my life - like I cannot use my crutches they cause more harm than good. Which will make me worse. So instead I qualified for a blue badge and have that instead - as I didn’t get mobility element before. I still struggle with the same issues. I just have a new condition with my bladder that I added. I didn’t get mobility last time, Only enhanced daily living. I scored 12. One of those was a 4. So I know with the new rules. I’d be fine haha! I’m basically asking, what is the likelihood they’ll now turn around and say I qualify for nothing? Can they take the enhanced daily living away. When those conditions still stand and are worse. What are assessments like currently? Are they as awful as they were 10 years ago. Where they basically lie on your assessment. Can I have it over the phone with someone with me? Will I be starting from scratch or will they take my current claim into consideration? I have always tried to remain as independent as possible. And I go to physio to remain at least in a maintained state rather than getting worse quicker. At least this way I get worse slowly…

This is seriously anxiety inducing. Thank you.

Hi Binky

If your current PIP award is ending and you have not heard anything from the DWP, it should be extended until your review takes place. However, I would ring them to confirm that will happen. Unfortunately, you won't be able to renew your Blue Badge until you have a new award letter. Some people have applied directly to their local council rather than waiting for their PIP review to take place. In terms of your car, you would need to contact Motability who decide what happens next.

BIS