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Thank you for your prompt reply David.
Much appreciated.

Hi JackieO

Someone from a local advice agency should be able to fill in the form for your husband if you were to liaise with them. I don't know if your husband has connections with charities such as SSAFA etc which could help.

Let me know how you get on.
David

Hello,

I would be grateful for advice please.

My husband receives PIP at the Standard Rate for Daily Living = 10 points and also the Mobility Component = 10 points for 'Planning & Following a Journey (You need another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid to follow the route of an unfamiliar journey). This award is until 29th June 2027 and was awarded by the Tribunal on 22 June 2023.

His Blue Badge is due for renewal and following applying for the renewal, he has been sent an 11 page medical questionairre to complete, which is causing him untold stress and anxiety again, as it brings back memories of going through the PIP process, assessments and Tribunal previously to obtain his PIP award.

The issues relating to his PIP award, is of an extremely personal and intimate nature and he finds it very hard to talk about, even to me or his GP.

Apparantly, the GP cannot fill in the form and it must be another medical professional involved in his care. However, the GP if anyone, is the only person he has shared his difficulties with.

Could you advise me of a way forward with this situation please?

Many thanks.

So in November 2025 they had added another 3 years to my PIP award without telling me. I found out when renewing my blue badge. No letter informing me or review form was sent. After asking on a forum it was thought they'd used info from my previous review form. However I just created a Gov account to check if I'm due an extension - and turns out I won't because I've already had the "6 years " awarded to me. (My 3 year award from 2022 plus the 3 years extension last November. ) They hadn't used my previous review form in November but had auto extended it for a further 3 years. So my review date of Nov 2028 still stands. I note that those receiving extension letters are being told they may get further extension at review date, so that may apply to me also, who knows -as they never sent me a letter with new review date! However at least now I have been able to ask for an entitlement letter via Gov site. I am posting this in case it's of interest or help to anyone else.

Thank you so much for clarifying!
This is an appeal for a first application that was denied.
I was hoping that refusal to reply meant that they think their decision was weak in the first place. I have a lot of evidence from consultants, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, award of a blue badge, etc- I really feel the refusal was completely uncalled for in the first place. And the DWP probably know that too.

Thank you for telling me that I have a right to request the tribunal to go ahead even if the DWP request an adjournment. I will do my best to make sure things get moving asap!

Thank you so much.

I received a letter yesterday, my pip has been extended until November 2030 it was originally awarded until October 2028. My award started in October 2023 with enhanced daily living( paper assessment) and was reassessed in April 2024 by Capita and I was awarded enhanced mobility too and a longer award . I’m 56. I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad that it’s only 2 years but it’s very welcome because it means I can renew my blue badge in 2027 without worrying about being stuck in a backlog review pile . Thank you to everyone for the support this site offers.

Hi, just thought I would update.

I had a Blue Badge assessment and was awarded a badge. So I obtained the report and sent that in as evidence for mandatory reconsideration. Since a qualified person had observed and recorded my walking, I guess that was enough evidence, as I was then awarded higher rate mobility. And my award was extended until 2032!

Now we just have to wait and see what are fate is at the hands of government following this Timms Review.

I too have had a 3 year extension. Finally, common sense prevails! I am 63, with degenerative conditions, and already on the higher rates. It made absolutely no sense for me to be reassessed (it was due December 2026). That means I can get my blue badge extended now as that takes ages sometimes, and I don’t have to stress, it’s a huge relief.
I must add, I used the PIP training video on here for my assessment, I was already on the higher rates last time, but worried of course. It gave me confidence to repeat the same words and phrases to each question, to make sure the criteria were met to their liking. I would recommend that everyone considers using them.

My husband applied for higher rate mobility at his PIP review, due to complications both prior to and after total knee replacement surgery. He had a blue badge, had to buy an automatic car and a disabled parking bay after the surgery. The high rate mobility was denied so we applied to paper tribunal and it was awarded within about 8 weeks. The only piece of evidence sent was a statement from me about how his daily mobility has changed since the operation.

Hi,

I’ve looked through the Forum, but can’t find anyone asking this, so would really appreciate any help.
I’m receiving DLA (HR Care and HR Mobility) and have been since around 2006.. I have just turned 65, though I’m not due to receive my State Pension until I’m 67. I seem to recall that entitlement to DLA ends at 65, which for some is State Pension age. Please can someone tell me whether my DLA will end with me now being 65, or at 67 which is my State Pension age?

If it does end at 65, when exactly will it finish? And when will I be likely to hear from the DWP?

I’m very concerned as my DLA is the majority of my income (I do receive CB ESA Support Group / now NS ESA) and is also crucial to me receiving Council Tax Reduction and enables me to automatically qualify for my Blue Badge.

Thank you.

Bunty.

Hi salb125
If its any consolation, I've been a carer for my son for the past 10 years.
I applied for PIP about 18 months ago and got it at the lower rate, no Mobility allowance, because I have stage 3 Emphysema and Vascular Disease.
I don't know what you might get, but it's definitely worth giving it a go, and make sure you describe your worst days and how you feel, just because you're a carer doesn't mean you can't be quite sick yourself, and if you drive don't forget to apply for a blue badge.
Good luck and god bless

Hi Stardust100

I can't tell you whether or not you should appeal and put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration - that is something you will have to decide for yourselves. The DWP won't care that he drives an automatic car or has been awarded a blue badge by your local council.

What you need to focus on is the distance he can walk and the "reliability" criteria. Clearly, I have no idea what your husband wrote on a form or in a letter, but if he told them he can walk "further than the required distance, but it leaves him in pain.." I can see why they took the opportunity to turn him down. An assessor probably thought that is 2a. "Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points." They also could have thought that he was in pain after walking 200 meters.

If you didn't already - you need to make it clear at what point his pain begins and I suspect it is long before 200 metres. If he's still walking on crutches and he's still having physio - then there's a possibility he experiences pain before he even stands up and moves about. If he's using two crutches he's walking slower than someone without knee trouble, could have balance issues and is probably experiencing exhaustion from the pain and efforts to walk. Does he have to stop after a short distance? Does he suffer from shortness of breath or dizziness from the pain? Could he walk a certain distance and then repeat it? (I assume not). Is he safe on crutches? (many people are not) See page 89 of the Guide to PIP Claims & Reviews for how you may be able to strengthen your response.

BIS

Husband just had letter to say higher rate mobility has been refused at PIP review..he asked for higher rate as he is in constant pain and using crutches
Has had to get an automatic car and blue badge. Had a different knee replacement operation and still having physio months after the operation.
Is it worth appealing ? He can walk further than then required distance but it leaves him in pain

Thank you.

I checked and they have literally just re-used last time's decision, including a mistake that I didn't challenge because it would have made no difference to the award level.

I think they just flicked through the evidence bundle, thought it looked kosher and last time's award was decent enough, and left it at that.

I will think on it for a few days. I'm currently also dealing with a level 2 complaint to Social Services, and have to go for a Blue Badge assessment.

People who believe that disabled people get everything handed to us on a plate have absolutely no idea of the hoops we have to jump through to get anything, and how exhausting it is!

Husband just had a phone call from PIP about his PIP Renewal. He asked for high rate mobility, as he had a knee replacement last summer and has been in constant pain since. He has a blue badge and has just had a disabled parking bay marked out at the front of our house.. He has physio and hydrotherapy at the hospital, as recommended by the consultant. She also noted down his painkiller medication. The DWP advisor has included all the information to his notes and now he's got to wait approx 2 weeks to hear the result.

Hi,
I have mod/severe M.E and just received a letter from ME clinic with 1st appointment.
With the letter was an IMP (Individual Management Plan for ME/CFS UC) form, however this is laid out with virtually identical wording to a benefits application. On page 8 it states 'The above was laid out differently as it is adapted to capture information DWP may require in applying for supporting benefits. One of my benefits if up for renewal later in 2026 as is my blue badge. Any advice for completing it? Should I complete it? Is it a sneaky benefits review form? There is no letters on the form to state its re a WCA or Uc/PIP/ESA assessment.
I am using up all my energy trying to tell my family what they should write to complete it, I'm very worried and exhausted lol. Has anyone else received this or similar?
Thank you, Smiler from south devon.

I worried for years about claiming with invisible illnesses but thanks to the guides on this website I managed to claim:
- blue badge (claimed before PIP)
- support group in Contribution based ESA
- standard daily living and enhanced mobility on PIP

Everything was accepted first time, paper based for blue badge and ESA and a telephone assessment for PIP. So thank you to the team here who have made a stressful process much easier for me with your guides.

The part I agonised over was the walking. I love walking and it's encouraged as part of my POTS rehab so how could I get any points when I can walk 3 miles on my best days?

Well when I really looked at myself I am housebound 5 days a week and that's because I don't feel able to walk further than the rooms in my house. In the mornings when my symptoms are worst I get palpitations just walking 10m to the bathroom and my Visible app is alerting me that my HR is elevated too high. I immediately have to get back into bed and rest. Until 11am I literally only walk to the bathroom and back and my husband has to fetch everything for me. This means I cannot reliably, repeatedly or safely walk 20m. This is my reality every single day of my life, even on my absolute best days where I might go for a walk later. It was a big mind shift to not worry about my maximum capacity but focus on my lowest abilities within each day and week.

I just wanted to share that it is possible to get these benefits for POTS and ME/CFS even if you're not bed bound or wheelchair bound.

Hi all.
I submitted my Application this week. In doing so I wrote that I am unable to work due to chronic health reasons.. regardless I have a first commitments interview soon. I am not physically able to work and have made huge financial compromises to survive whilst not working for past few years. I'm worried I'll be forced into work. I appreciate there is a Work Capability pathway. I would sooner be put on this.

I have extensive medical records. Blue badge and receive full PIP for both elements. If forced to work - which I can't, this would jeopardise my PIP.

Please advise.
Thanks 🙏

Hi, my PIP was due to be reviewed by May this year but had heard nothing, I assumed because of the backlog. I needed my Blue Badge renewed and expected just 3 months before expiry on new badge. I went to council hub in library to renew badge but when they accessed my PIP records it had been extended in November for 3 years! New date being Nov 2028. I know awards have sometimes been extended up to a year due to backlog but 3 years was a surprise. I have not heard anything. Have they gone by previous review form? Last review was for 5 years and they told me on phone they would have given ongoing except they know my condition could deteriorate. I had also highlighted sentence from neuro where he said my symptoms would be ongoing. My disability rights advisor said he's had a couple of people contact him with same thing? Have they gone by my previous review information? Thanks.

Hi
I just wanted to say a really big thank you for all the information on here that has really helped me with my review, I can’t believe what has just happened,
So I sent my review off and was received by dwp on 14th July 2025 waited patiently and never heard a thing other than the usual text with updates, so today I called them as my blue badge runs out in March 2026 and my local council needs 12 weeks for renewal, the lady said that she would put me through to a case worker as my review was still in a holding que (what ever that means )
Well the case worker was amazing he told me that after looking at my file he felt there was enough evidence (I sent loads ) for him to make a decision today and told me I would receive a letter 2nd class in 2 weeks, he called me back 5 mins later and just asked a few more questions, and said he just wanted to let me know it would be done today and as my health had deteriorated it wouldn’t be going down, so later today I checked online in proof of benefits etc and it showed an indefinite award of enhanced on both, before it showed enhanced but until may 2026, I thought I was seeing things,
Is there such a thing as an indefinite award I thought it was a 10 year only, I am currently 59 so still away to go before retirement!
Once again thank you so so much for all the help on this site
Rosie