ADVICE

generalm wrote: If i have aids put in the bathroom for getting on and off the toilet and getting into and out of bathroom /shower should that be 2 points each. i do not need assistance but certainly need these aids

Providing you can show that you need the aids then you should score points.

Gordon

generalm wrote: Thankyou Gordon

surely you can only show you need it by explaining you need it and why.

That is correct, it is not enough to have an aid available you also need to explain why you need it and what problems you would have if you did not.

Also no one would surely put these aids/adaptations in if they didn't need it.
I was given 0 pts as it said I don't need assistance despite me having explained in detail my need for the adaptations (grabrails / handrails) which I had fitted

I am afraid it is all about dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

Gordon

generalm wrote: Thank you Gordon

If i have clearly explained why i need the aids and not got the points for using those aids what do i do . How do i get round that as how can you prove that . A relative also wrote as support / evidence to say i have these problems so basically is the assessor saying we are both lying ??

Can I take it that there has been a Decision on your claim?

If you have not been awarded PIP or the award is not what you expected then you need to look at the next steps and whether you want to pursue them or not.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process and template letters that you can use to make the request with.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;

"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"

than their opinions

"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.

When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.

Gordon