How can you prove you have pots with cfs/me?

hmf_2

I'm appealing pip for the care element. They gave me a score of 2 for the bathing but I have clearly told them that I can get into the bath by myself but because of chronic fatique after having a bath and the change in my body temperature from the hot water I get very weak and dizzy after taking a bath and need help to get out of the bath which would score me the 3 points that I really needed to get low rate care element.
I have asked my gp for the pots test as one idea of how I can prove that I do suffer dizzy spells. As usual my gp said no he wasn't going to spend money on expensive tests.
My appeal is coming up soon. Any ideas how I might be able to prove to the court that I am telling the truth and do need help getting out of the bath? My doctors aren't sympathetic at all.
It seems the DWP have given lots of people a score of 7 points so that they miss receiving the care element by one point. A disgusting lot they are. I wonder if anybody that has gone through the ordeal of trying to claim pip would vote a conservative government in again with the horrible ian Duncan smith creating further stress for the disabled.

tea-bag

Could you not just have a shower?

hmf_2

Unfortunately I don't have enough energy for a shower. It might sound silly but sitting on a stool with a little bit of water tricking over me sounds like torture. I'm either very hot or cold. I would be shivering feeling so cold.
The hot bath helps relax my aching muscles. A warm or cold bath again I would be shivering and it would be torture. Since having CFS/me my body is very sensitive unfortunately.

racon

hmf wrote: »

I'm appealing pip for the care element. They gave me a score of 2 for the bathing but I have clearly told them that I can get into the bath by myself but because of chronic fatique after having a bath and the change in my body temperature from the hot water I get very weak and dizzy after taking a bath and need help to get out of the bath which would score me the 3 points that I really needed to get low rate care element.
I have asked my gp for the pots test as one idea of how I can prove that I do suffer dizzy spells. As usual my gp said no he wasn't going to spend money on expensive tests.
My appeal is coming up soon. Any ideas how I might be able to prove to the court that I am telling the truth and do need help getting out of the bath? My doctors aren't sympathetic at all.
It seems the DWP have given lots of people a score of 7 points so that they miss receiving the care element by one point. A disgusting lot they are. I wonder if anybody that has gone through the ordeal of trying to claim pip would vote a conservative government in again with the horrible ian Duncan smith creating further stress for the disabled.

Hey the DWP may well be assuming that you have a bathing aid such as an electric bath seat riser. If that would help with your bathing problems ask Social Services to help out.
The DWP expect you to apply for and have all of the available aids. You will be tested as though you have them!
Just a question that springs to mind, what would the money help you out with? I can't see that it would help with getting in and out of bath.

nannytone_2

as above.
if your only issue is getting out of the bath i don't see that you will win an appeal.
you need to show frequent and sustained care needs that fit in with the desvriptors

Torry_Quine

hmf wrote: »

I'm appealing pip for the care element. They gave me a score of 2 for the bathing but I have clearly told them that I can get into the bath by myself but because of chronic fatique after having a bath and the change in my body temperature from the hot water I get very weak and dizzy after taking a bath and need help to get out of the bath which would score me the 3 points that I really needed to get low rate care element.
I have asked my gp for the pots test as one idea of how I can prove that I do suffer dizzy spells. As usual my gp said no he wasn't going to spend money on expensive tests.
My appeal is coming up soon. Any ideas how I might be able to prove to the court that I am telling the truth and do need help getting out of the bath? My doctors aren't sympathetic at all.
It seems the DWP have given lots of people a score of 7 points so that they miss receiving the care element by one point. A disgusting lot they are. I wonder if anybody that has gone through the ordeal of trying to claim pip would vote a conservative government in again with the horrible ian Duncan smith creating further stress for the disabled.

Like you I have ME and find a bath helps to relax the muscles but need help to get in and out. I have a bath seat which is hydraulically controlled and would be very helpful for you. Your local social services should be able to help you with this.

I get lower care element of DLA under the not being able to make a meal category.

Horseunderwater

To get PIP care or mobility = you have to spell it out that you cannot do some task SAFELY/REPEATEDLY/RELIABLY & IN NO MORE THAN TWICE THE TIME AN ABLE BODIED PERSON DOES IT.
When filling out the forms that is what you need 2 B thinking - for example I would have put it like this: I need help to have a bath once I get into the bath because my hands/arms tire very quickly & I therefore do not have the strength to raise myself out of a bath once in it. No need to mention hot water at all. KISS is keep i6t simple stupid & that is how you need 2 do things when applying for PIP/ESA. Go through your copy of the application & any other forms and appeal on that basis. GP is right you do not need a pointless test to do this. I used that method on both my DLA application & the recent uprating & got both awards straight away. It works. Same applies to mobility, if you get dizzy after say 2 meters of walking, so are in danger of falling down - that's what they need 2 know. Hope U take this on board & go 4 it.

hmf_2

Horseunderwater thank you for the great advice. I'm not good at keeping things simple. That's probably where I have gone wrong. I will take your advice which is a much better explanation than I have given the DWP so far.

To the person asking what I would use the care element money for ?? I would use it for a carer simply. I have said that I have already scored 7 points towards the care element but should have scored the 8'points that are needed to recieve the care element. I live alone so have to rely on family members to come to my house to help me get out of the bath safely and to walk me to my bed to lie down until I have enough energy and feel strong enough to feel safe walking again.

hmf_2

Tory Quinn thanks for your reply. I scored only 2 points under pip for the cooking food element as they say that I can cook a meal using a microwave. I am also appealing this point.

I have asked for a wheelchair for when I'm outdoors but got a no because I do not need it inside my house. I had given up on social services after that but maybe the bath seat they might agree to. Thanks for the advice.

hmf_2

Nanny tone I scored 7 points towards the care element. They gave me 2 points for bathing. I would have scored 3 points if they accept that I cannot get out of the bath without help. This would have given me the total,of 8 points to be awarded low rate care element.

tea-bag

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Like you I have ME and find a bath helps to relax the muscles but need help to get in and out. I have a bath seat which is hydraulically controlled and would be very helpful for you. Your local social services should be able to help you with this.

I get lower care element of DLA under the not being able to make a meal category.

How come you can't do a meal but can do housework?

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