DLA/PIP for shopping, cleaning etc

I have just seen, on one of the links to the decision makers guidance, (sorry, can't find it now!) that when assessing the ability to cook a meal ALL the activities associated with this could be taken into account, including actually shopping for the food itself. This brings me to my main query; the usual response from DWP is that DLA/PIP is not for help with cooking and cleaning and this seems to be based on a judgment by Lord Denning in the 80's where he implied that such activities were taken care of by the wife or daughter of the household. As a widow, living alone, if I don't have anyone to shop and clean for me then I will soon either starve or be at risk of disease from squalor. How then should one go about establishing the need for help in these areas, given also that there is some confusion already, hence the point above about shopping equating to cooking. Or does the law need changing on this to reflect increased numbers of people living alone without obediant wives?

As far as I am aware, the DWP are still acting on the basis of Lord Denning's decision and things such as shopping and claning are not taken into account when assessing for DLA. From what I have read about PIP, that situation will not change

Hi Mrs HB,

I can confirm that as is the case for DLA,when PIP is applied to current DLA claimants shopping and cleaning will not be taken into account for care needs.

Kind regards.

Jim

If you cannot do any shopping because you have mobility problems, then you might qualify for the mobility component of DLA, not because you cannot shop as such, but because you have trouble walking.

There are other sources of help apart from DLA. On another thread a moderator posted

I suggest that you have a look at the 'turn2us' website to see if there are any other benefits they can claim and/or get face-to-face advice from a welfare expert.

Turn 2 us

Where to get advice?

(www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=top...&limitstart=0#103103)