PIP Mobility

Hi,

I've been reading the posts on here for a while now and this seems like the best place to get any kind of advice.

I had been claiming DLA for 9 years, lower rate care and higher rate mobility. Late last year I was "invited" to claim PIP as my DLA was due to be renewed. I had my face-to-face assessment last month and 2 weeks later was told my claim had been disallowed.

I received the decision letter and was utterly shocked at receiving zero points for everything! I'd requested the assessors report and again - was utterly shocked - complete lies all throughout the letter.

I have a life long illness, diagnosed 11 years ago with an auto-immune disease. This causes fatigue, issues with my joints and muscles. I also have Raynauds.

However, over the years I have tried to work - in the past 12 months I have had 6 jobs because I cannot find a job that suits my disabilities.

On receiving my PIP letter and Assessors report I found they used this against me. They said because I work I can cook a meal unaided - they said it means I have adequate dexterity and strength.

They also said I can remember to take my medication because I work.

Further to this they said I can follow the route of a journey because I drive 10 minutes to work - what they don't mention is how I have yet another new job and when I went for interview someone had to drive me there and wait for me then drive me home. Then repeatedly shown me the new route to work so I would be able to drive to work.

What bugs me the most is I advised that due to pain and distress I couldn't follow the route of an unfamiliar journey - I panic if I don't know where I'm going. In fact, other than going to work I don't leave the house. And if I do it's never alone.

I also have a hip problem for which I've had two lots of steroid injections this year alone - The assessor decided I could walk more than 200 metres. And he'd seen me walk more than 20. He saw me walk (with a limp and double up in pain) from a chair outside his door to the chair in the very small assessment room.

After the assessment he attempted to steady me as I stood up, then picked up my medication off his desk and carried it out to the waiting room where my mum was so I didn't have to struggle.

Now I'm reading lots of stories about the Mandatory Reconsiderations being a waste of time?? I'm really concerned. They're taking me vehicle off me mid-june and I've no idea how I'm going to get to work. It's all so stressful.

Can anyone please advise me? Am I likely to completely lose my mobility because I don't have a mental health impairment. Surely being unable to follow a journey due to pain and the panic it causes should award me some points?

Thanks

Hi Lucy and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry that you are going through this The hard fact is that PIP was deliberately made much harder to get than DLA as a way of cutting the welfare bill.

it is actually very hard to get the enhanced rate of PIP mobility unless you suffer from both physical and mental problems.

I won't say 'never' but it is very rare to get points for the 'going out' descriptor unless you have documented mental or cognitive difficulties.


It is also unusual for the Mandatory Reconsideration to do anything other than 'rubber stamp' the original decision. However, you are not able to submit an appeal until/unless this step has been taken. Don't forget that you have 1 month from the date on the decision letter in which to get your request submitted and accepted without question.

I suggest that you have a good look at our :PIP guide and, bearing in mind my comments about the 'going out' descriptor, see where you think you should have scored points. then see whether you could have described things differently or have further evidence.

The PIP guide also talks you through the MR process. A sample letter is in the ESA MR guide.

PIP help for claimants

ESA mandatory reconsiderations and appeals

You might wish to bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future. That means you can return with further questions/comments without having to start a new topic each time. It helps us enormously when everything relating to one claim is kept in the same place - and I hope you will find it useful too

Thank you for replying.

I have a meeting with CAB next week. It's so frustrating that this is being done to people, it seems like a lot of stress that could be avoided.

You would think that for someone who lives permanently in pain, struggles to walk, drive and use their hands it wouldn't come to this.
They had only used my application form as evidence, they didn't contact my specialists or gp - so I have done this as evidence to support my claim.

I don't have a documented mental health issue, ive had counselling for depression and I've been referred to neurology once or twice for sleep paralysis but didn't attend because I couldn't face being labelled as another condition... Stupid really.

But again, thank you for your reply. It's much appreciated.

hi You need to explain if you do not take your pain medication, due to constant pain and fatigue you cannot do anything but be immobile. Speaking from experience . Dont give up, that is what they want you to do, find out on google, who your MP is, send them an email, explaining circs, ETC, Human rights article, research, right to work for disabled people, quote sections.

Give it to them, especially after assessor bragging about himself earning 20 K per month, said the assessments were already done before you entered the face to face room, monitoring you constantly, hoy you look, speak, concentrate ECT.

Thanks for the advice.
I won't give up. I'm not the type

So today I met with a guy from Citizens Advice. He's taking over my case for me and writing my Mandatory Reconsideration letter for me also. He says it's helpful to send evidence that they didn't bother to ask for, such as letters from specialists and doctors.

Its stupid to but I'm feeling quite positive now I've met with CAB. Fingers crossed.