What actually counts as an aid?

I am preparing to appeal after my MR recently came back as a big fat 0 on everything.

I need to know if having to use a tablet (Kindle Fire) to read counts as an aid I need to enlarge text and adjust the screen brightness.Also for any sewing or close work I need to use a magnifier lamp.
I have just been moved to(by my Housing Association) a bungalow with low level shower and handrail as I repeatedly fell when climbing in and out of the bath at previous property aswell as falling on stairs.

Thank you for any imput

kibbysmum wrote: I am preparing to appeal after my MR recently came back as a big fat 0 on everything.

I need to know if having to use a tablet (Kindle Fire) to read counts as an aid I need to enlarge text and adjust the screen brightness.Also for any sewing or close work I need to use a magnifier lamp.
I have just been moved to(by my Housing Association) a bungalow with low level shower and handrail as I repeatedly fell when climbing in and out of the bath at previous property aswell as falling on stairs.

Thank you for any imput

Hi km,

"Aids and appliances :

The assessment will take some account of aids and appliances which are used in everyday life. In this context:

Aids are devices that help a performance of a function, for example, walking sticks or spectacles.

Appliances are devices that provide or replace a missing function, for example artificial limbs, collecting devices (stomas) and wheelchairs.

The assessment will take into account aids and appliances that individuals normally use and low cost, commonly available ones which someone with their impairment might reasonably be expected to use, even if they are not normally used.

Individuals who use or could reasonably be expected to use aids to carry out an activity will generally receive a higher scoring descriptor than those who can carry out the activity unaided."

So anything such as a Kindle Fire would be classed as an Aid as it helps you perform a function/activity.

You would also have to explain why you need to use any aids to perform an activity, and why you could not perform the activity without using the aid.

Again, any adaptations to your home, such as the ones that you mention, would be classed as aids, and you should explain why you need them and why you could not carry out the activity without them

If you need further help and support even though you do need/use aids/adaptations, again you should explain why you need further assistance even though you use the aids.

Here is some generic advice on PIP MR/Appeals which I give to all members that should help :

You have one month from the date of the PIP Decision Notice letter to make a written request for a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) of the PIP decision.

Sending Documents to the DWP.

You could also ring the PIP Helpline :

Telephone: 0345 850 3322
Textphone: 0345 601 6677
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

To request a copy of The PA4 PIP Medical Report compiled by the PIP Assessor at your face to face and sent to The DWP PIP DM to be used when the DM came to their decision.

If you have any problems obtaining The PA4 with a verbal request, you can make a written request which should be done as a separate issue to any MR request :

You can do this using a SAR Form :

SAR Form Download

From this page :

DWP Data Protection Policy

Or you can make the request in the form of a letter, as long as you make it clear that you are making a formal SAR under The Data Protection Act 1998.

Address the envelope : FAO The Data Controller, at the Benefits Office dealing with your PIP.

Write DPA 1998 SAR in front, top, left corner of envelope.

Once received, they have 40 calendar days to comply.

You should not miss your one month deadline if The PA4 has not arrived.

You can make comment that you have requested this and will submit further evidence if applicable when you receive it.

You should be aware that when you request an MR, any current PIP Awards, Daily Living and/or Mobility, that you might have, can be increased, reduced or taken away altogether, as they will look at the whole PIP Awards afresh.

Obviously if you have no current PIP Award, there is no risk involved.

See : PIP MR/Appeals Guidance.

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsiderations.

Once you have gone through The MR Process, if you are still unsuccessful, you have one month from the date of The MR Decision Notice Letter to appeal directly to The Tribunal Service. (TS)

You should do this using copy of The MR Notice letter and the : SSCS 1 Form (Download Link)

All this is explained in our PIP Appeals Guidance

In the MR request and any subsequent Appeal you should concentrate on reiterating where and why you should have scored the extra points with respect to the applicable PIP Activities and the appropriate scoring PIP Descriptor for that Activity, whilst cross-referencing to any medical evidence that you have, or may have already provided that supports the fact that you should have.

You should take into account that the PIP DM is not medically qualified at all, so the easier that you can make it for them to understand the limitations that you suffer as a result of your medical conditions, and how those limitations score you the required points under the appropriate scoring PIP Descriptor for each applicable PIP Activity, the better your chance of success.

Once you have the PA4, you can pose any counter arguments to the PIP Assessors recommendations in The PA4.

e.g. If they are stating that you can carry out a particular PIP Activity, has it been taken into account that to be classed as being able to carry out a PIP Activity, you must be able to do so Reliably and Safely for The Majority of Days

If the Assessor has stated that they witnessed you Walking a set distance have they taken into account the above, the time it took you to do so, and any pain, discomfort and breathless, etc that you may have suffered whilst doing so ? etc, etc, etc !!

Try and keep you counter arguments relevant to The PIP Activities/Descriptors where you would have expected to score points or more points than you were actually awarded.

See also : PIP Self Test

PIP Points Scoring System

&

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link down the page)

You might want to Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser so that you can return to your topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have.

bro58

Thank you bro58 that is so helpful
Is there somewhere here that gives suggestions for support letters from friends and family that help me on a daily basis? I understand they need to use their own view of how they help but I think they are wondering where to start.
I think I probably didn't give enough information on how my conditions affect me when applying and for the MR.Especially by not getting my GP to do a report for me.He suggested they contact him.I now know that this was the wrong thing and they didn't contact him.I have seen him again and he is doing a report.
Thank you again

kibbysmum wrote: Thank you bro58 that is so helpful
Is there somewhere here that gives suggestions for support letters from friends and family that help me on a daily basis? I understand they need to use their own view of how they help but I think they are wondering where to start.
I think I probably didn't give enough information on how my conditions affect me when applying and for the MR.Especially by not getting my GP to do a report for me.He suggested they contact him.I now know that this was the wrong thing and they didn't contact him.I have seen him again and he is doing a report.
Thank you again

Hi km,

You're welcome !!

Any friends, relatives or carers that provide help and support on a day to day basis could provide details of the medical conditions that you suffer which they are aware of, and more importantly how they support you with respect to the limitations that your suffer as a result of your medical conditions.

You then need to tie the help, care and support that they provide into the appropriate PIP Activity.

So they could write something akin to :

"I have known xxxxxx (Your name) of xxxxxxxxxxxx (Your address) for xx years. I am aware that they have suffered from xxx medical conditions (List conditions) since xx xx xxxx, and I have provided help/support/care with regards to the the limitations that they suffer as a result of said medical conditions on a day to day basis.

In particular, I offer help/support/care (Use the most appropriate word) with the following Activities in Daily Living" (List the applicable PIP DL Activities (and/or Mobility Activities if appropriate)

They can then detail what type of help and support they provide, how often they do so, and why they need to provide it.

Or words to that affect !!!

They can then finish by writing something like " The above statement is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge", provide their contact details, and state that "The DWP or The First Tier Tribunal are most welcome to contact them if they require further details or confirmation of what they have written"

Sign and print their name with the date at the bottom, with their address at the head of the letter.

Of course the person will have to be prepared to be contacted by the above, in case they do.

Any thing along those lines "should" help, but obviously it will not hold as much credence as similar statements from Medical Professionals, or Professional Carers.

G.P. always seem to suggest to their patients that they will provide supporting evidence "when" they are contacted by DWP, ATOS, Capita or The FT Tribunal, but these agencies seldom contact them, even when you request that they do, and they are not legally obliged to do so.

Have a look at these posts : Here and Here which may give you some idea of the type of supporting letter or report from your Doctor that be may be helpful.

bro58

Thanks again I really appreciate the information and caring attitude here.
Today I received the letter/report from my GP. He has really covered everything in detail as well as some relevant things that I wouldn't have thought to include.For example,I need to have the first appointment when I see him to avoid a crowded waiting room,to help me from being overwhelmed by my anxiety.( I have agoraphobia).I know I do this but didn't think to put it in the appeal.

How far should I go back for potted history? Is there such a thing as too much information?

Thanks

Hi
There isn't any such thing as too much information.
You should include everything that is relevant no matter how old.
Consultants do not repeat opinions like diagnoses every few years in case the DWP need them for example. Prescriptions for drugs you have been taking for years, you may want to show how long you have been taking them, operations you have had over the years.
So you see how you can build a file of evidence from the beginning of your health issues which may be from birth, so include all relevant evidence over the entire period.