Copd

Hi all.

I received ESA and the support group element for the next three years without a medical,
just a letter off my doctor.
I suffer with Copd level 5 so applied for pip, had a home assessment and was refused, I had only gained 4 points for mobility and 2 points for needing Somebody to do my cooking, having got a mandatory review they stuck to the original result saying I did not meet the requirements for pip.
I have now started on the appeal process with the help of my local c.a.b and hopefully your guides.
I am at the moment waiting for the Atos assessments and reports they drew up for pip and esa,
They tell me this could take a number of weeks as they need to gather the information.
Hopefully I may get a result at appeal.

I will keep you updated. Mick R

Hi Mick,

I hope you will find the guides helpful with your appeal, please reply to this message with any further questions you have. You will find it easily in future if you bookmark/favourite it on your web browser now

Hi all
Got my information from appeals..could somebody tell me what an occupational therapist is.
the one that assessed me says i have had copd for 3 months and it will clear up in time,
Can not wait to talk to the tribunal...

Hi MR,

I have merged your post with your previous topic for continuity.

An : Occupational Therapist (OT) is someone who may come to your home to assess your limitations and needs and make recommendations regarding any aids or adaptations that may help to overcome the barriers caused to everyday normal living, amongst other things.

ATOS/Capita use OT's, Physiotherapists, Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Doctors, etc as PIP Assessors.

After some training, they are recognised as approved PIP Assessors by The Secretary of State : ATOS, Who Performs your PIP Assessment.

Regarding COPD, I think the clue is in the name, "Chronic" Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

It is a : "Chronic" condition/disease, and the term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months.

COPD sufferers also generally suffer from : "Acute" flare ups, : Exacerbations such as respiratory infections.

So for The OT to say that, "you have had COPD for 3 months and it will clear up in time" is somewhat contradictory.

Besides a letter from your G.P. other good evidence that may help would be copies of print outs from any : Spirometry Tests that you have had, your grading on : The MRC Dyspnoea (Breathlessness) Scale, 5 being the most severe, the "Stage" of COPD that you are at (Stage 1 Mild, 2 Moderate, 3 Severe or 4 Very Severe), and your : Peak Flow Reading (PEFR) and : FEV 1.

If you have been awarded ESA Support Group under Activity/Descriptor 1. "Mobilising" you could use that as evidence for PIP "Mobility" with respect to your "walking" limitations.

Have a look at : This Post.

I know that you say that you have accessed our "Guides" but here are the relevant links anyway :

Guide to PIP Appeals

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

PIP Self Test

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsiderations.

Hope this helps with your understanding of the situation, and please keep us updated.

You may want to Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser so that you can find it again easily.

(N.B. left click your mouse/pad on any blue words/links above to access the relevant information)

bro58

i suffer COPD and was put in WRAG and have interviews over the telephone .I have not gone for pips because i am in the WRAG group.I just want to thank you explaining the evidence needed as this might help in my case when i come up for my reassessment.As i did not know what evidence to ask for on my last claim.And i am frightened they could hurt me if they made me do things that i know i could not at my own pace.Thank you again eve

eve wrote: i suffer COPD and was put in WRAG and have interviews over the telephone .I have not gone for pips because i am in the WRAG group.I just want to thank you explaining the evidence needed as this might help in my case when i come up for my reassessment.As i did not know what evidence to ask for on my last claim.And i am frightened they could hurt me if they made me do things that i know i could not at my own pace.Thank you again eve

Hi e,

You are welcome !!

It is good that "someone" has acknowledged my post, as the OP hasn't.

It is not that we crave appreciation, but quickly clicking on the "Thank You" button at the bottom of the post let's the Mods know that the OP has read and understood our responses.

This is particularly helpful to us when queries are made and responded to over the weekend, or outside the hours when Mods are normally on-line.

Just because you are in The WRAG does not necessarily mean that you won't qualify for a PIP Award.

ESA tests your Capability for Work, PIP is awarded for your Walking limitations, limitations in going out caused by mental health issues, and Care and Daily Living needs caused as a result of your medical conditions.

PIP can be awarded to someone who works full time, it is an "in work benefit" whereas ESA is an "out of work benefit".

You could take our : PIP Self Test which may give you an idea of any potential entitlement to PIP.

See also : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

With regards to your current ESA WRAG Award, you can either wait for your next reassessment then try for an SG award, or, if you feel that your medical conditions and resulting limitations have deteriorated since the date of your WRAG Award decision to such an extent that you now qualify for The SG, you could request a review/supersession of The WRAG award.

This would probably involve filling in a fresh ESA50 and may, or may not involve a face to face assessment.

See : Qualifying for the Support Group

&

ESA Claims Guides, 3rd and 4th links down.

bro58