DLA to PIP invitation

Hi moderators and fellow B&W subscribers.

You may recall a few months back I was contemplating reporting a change of circumstances regarding my daughter's DLA (PIP area) as she has been registered as blind amongst other worsening conditions. I didn't get round to doing it although I did gather medical evidence (phew - good job).

Well the DWP have forced my hand. This morning we have received a letter inviting us to claim PIP.

My twofold query is: I know we must make the PIP claim within 28 days from the date of the letter. However, to gain a little more time to complete the PIP2 (when we get it) I was thinking of ringing them to make the claim towards the end of the 28 day period. Does this sound good practice? Also, am I right in thinking once the telephone claim has been made we will then receive a PIP2 and we will then have 4 weeks from the date of that letter (accompanying the PIP2) to complete the PIP2 and then get it back to them?

As I am looking forward to this process like a hole in the head - I am trying to maximise the likelihood of success without the need for a face to face assessment - and more time should help (me come to terms).

Thank you in advance. Also, sorry in advance, please expect some questions (hopefully not too daft) coming your way over the course of the next few weeks. Kind Regards.

Buster

Hi there, Where no descriptor applies for 50% of the time?

Descriptor 14 Moving around? Regarding descriptor b worth 4 points. For 1 day in 20 (5% of the time) claimant needs physical assistance (unable to get up) due to experiencing a sudden drop attack (cause under investigation). For 3 days in 10 (30% of the time) claimant needs physical assistance (taking by the arm to pause and steady to prevent a loss of balance) due to breathlessness caused by obesity. For 2 days in ten (20%) claimant needs physical assistance (holding tightly by the hand) due to balance and coordination difficulties.

All above conditions are symptoms of diagnosed overarching medical condition.

Therefore, claimant can not carry out this activity for 55% of the time - RELIABLY?

But can manage it on less worse days - 45% of the time.

Would the claimant have a good case for scoring 4 points? Thank you for your help.

Buster

Certainly by using your maths they would.

if you don't keep one keeping a diary up to the day you send back the PIP2 might help.
You could then carry on keeping it until the face to face if you have one.

Hi Buster!
I hope this helps you with your approach to filling in PIP2 form.
Mods can correct me if i am wrong i don't mind!
Firstly look at the things that have the greatest effect her ability to function everyday first;before working out things that effect her for parts of some days.
The reason i say this is i am reg blind to; in my PIP2 i based answers on the limitations that blindness and a hearing loss placed on me all day everyday. (care 25 point,mobility 12)
Your daughter has multiple problems in varying degrees of effect. Work through each descriptor for example preparing food.
Say how her blindness effects her: cant read recipes,use by dates,cooking instructions,tell if food is off,tell if food is cooked ect.
Then move on to the next disability and how it limits her abilty to prepare and cook food;does it have a combined effect with her blindness like i cant hear clearly to understand!
Work through all the descriptors in the same way.
We used the PIP guide and PIP assessment guide and where we truly thought i fulfilled a discriptor we gave examples or how,when and why they happen.
If ypur daughter has long term disabilities some things you do for her;are part of your daily life that you wont think of as "care" but it will be;you just do it for her as love.
Regards Matchseller.

Thank you Matchseller. I've just noticed your reply. Yes, It can be quite difficult in explaining the limitations and difficulties when these are multiple. I'm probably going about it the hard way; I've tried to explain each descriptor with a combined type of answer regarding her difficulties as apposed to explaining one at a time. I've got plenty of time so I will try to tweak things.

Thanks for the advice. By the way I had already bookmarked and read through one of your earlier posts - it's very interesting - it always helps to know how others are dealing with similar issues. Many thanks.