PIP reconsideration query.

sarystew

Hi, just after a little advice on my next step.

Yesterday I was awarded PIP. I scored 6 for care component and 10 in mobility.
After talking to a friend who has experience with these forms she has said theres inconsistent answers in the care element and I should have scored 8 points at least.

Ive got 2 points for cooking with an aid or appliance needed-i told her I could prep veg during the day and I would have to wait for my son or husband to get home to help put things in the oven or rake out and empty pans of water. Which sounds more like assistance not just needing an aid.

2 points for toileting, she said I need an aid to manage continence. She says she observed me needing to use both arms to rise out of wheelchair and sit back Down.

2 points for washing, again she observed I need an aid or appliance to carry this out. I no longer can have a bath as I find it hard to get in and out and I find it v painful to sit upright (chronic back pain)

0 points for dressing however. This is where my friend says it should be 2 the same as washing and toileting as I would need a stool or similar to get dressed. I told her I take my time and to dress too half I need to be sat on my bed. I said I could take all day if needs be to get dressed as ive nothing else to do (aside from hosp appointments) so if I need to take longer I can iyswim.

She's told me to ask for a reconsideration based on the dressing element. Id be so grateful for any advice on this. I suffer chronic back pain (disc prolapses frequently, extra vertebrae in sacrum causing pain and pressure and fused cervical vertebrae with mishapened discs.) And FND (neuro problems and likened to ms and Parkinson's)

Thanks for reading x

Indie_Kid

You mention that your friend has experience with these forms - is that as welfare rights adviser or a claimant? Either way, I would get advise on this.

To get PIP, you only need help 50% of the time. You need to be able to repeat the task in a safe and timely (no more than double the time it takes a non-disabled person) manner. It's reasonable to suggest that if doing the task is painful, you can't do it. So, you score the appropriate points for it.

pmlindyloo

This thread might be useful, particularly about using the headings for each descriptor.

http://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php/6904-PIP-success-story-and-some-reflections

I do agree that professional support is extremely useful when doing a reconsideration/appeal.

Icequeen99

sarystew wrote: »

Hi, just after a little advice on my next step.

Yesterday I was awarded PIP. I scored 6 for care component and 10 in mobility.
After talking to a friend who has experience with these forms she has said theres inconsistent answers in the care element and I should have scored 8 points at least.

Ive got 2 points for cooking with an aid or appliance needed-i told her I could prep veg during the day and I would have to wait for my son or husband to get home to help put things in the oven or rake out and empty pans of water. Which sounds more like assistance not just needing an aid.

2 points for toileting, she said I need an aid to manage continence. She says she observed me needing to use both arms to rise out of wheelchair and sit back Down.

2 points for washing, again she observed I need an aid or appliance to carry this out. I no longer can have a bath as I find it hard to get in and out and I find it v painful to sit upright (chronic back pain)

0 points for dressing however. This is where my friend says it should be 2 the same as washing and toileting as I would need a stool or similar to get dressed. I told her I take my time and to dress too half I need to be sat on my bed. I said I could take all day if needs be to get dressed as ive nothing else to do (aside from hosp appointments) so if I need to take longer I can iyswim.

She's told me to ask for a reconsideration based on the dressing element. Id be so grateful for any advice on this. I suffer chronic back pain (disc prolapses frequently, extra vertebrae in sacrum causing pain and pressure and fused cervical vertebrae with mishapened discs.) And FND (neuro problems and likened to ms and Parkinson's)

Thanks for reading x

On the cooking 2 points - bending to the oven does not count for the test. Regarding the pans - what stops you lifting a small pan with only enough in for one person? Would grips on the pan help? That is what they are likely thinking on that one.

On the dressing - you say you can take all day, but how long does it actually take? Do you stop and rest? If so why?

You can put in for a reconsideration, but just be aware if you go to a Tribunal they can take points away as well as give points (so they could look at the whole award and not just care) although they should give you a warning if they do this.

IQ

sarystew

Icequeen99 wrote: »

On the cooking 2 points - bending to the oven does not count for the test. Regarding the pans - what stops you lifting a small pan with only enough in for one person? Would grips on the pan help? That is what they are likely thinking on that one.

On the dressing - you say you can take all day, but how long does it actually take? Do you stop and rest? If so why?

You can put in for a reconsideration, but just be aware if you go to a Tribunal they can take points away as well as give points (so they could look at the whole award and not just care) although they should give you a warning if they do this.

IQ

I can't lift a heavy pan of water, I suffer tremors and weakness in limbs so I drop items or I can't even lift them in the first place. I struggle to brush my hair and teeth due to fatigue and pain in arms.
The last time I did so I dropped a pan of booked veg over my hand and arm leading to a burn and scar. Same happened trying to get a tray out the oven, burn across back of hand with grill markings on which DM acknowledged and agreed it was too risky to continue to do so.

Dressing, can take 20 mins.could take 45 if I need to lay down mid way. No two days are ever really the same for me I have a fluctuating illness and during a flare I am disabled by it. I was hospitalised for 4 days due to the mobility and risk of falls in December due to paralysis of foot. Foot is still paralysed 5 months on.

Icequeen99

sarystew wrote: »

I can't lift a heavy pan of water, I suffer tremors and weakness in limbs so I drop items or I can't even lift them in the first place. I struggle to brush my hair and teeth due to fatigue and pain in arms.
The last time I did so I dropped a pan of booked veg over my hand and arm leading to a burn and scar. Same happened trying to get a tray out the oven, burn across back of hand with grill markings on which DM acknowledged and agreed it was too risky to continue to do so.

Dressing, can take 20 mins.could take 45 if I need to lay down mid way. No two days are ever really the same for me I have a fluctuating illness and during a flare I am disabled by it. I was hospitalised for 4 days due to the mobility and risk of falls in December due to paralysis of foot. Foot is still paralysed 5 months on.

Sounds like you need to apply for a reconsideration on those two points then.

IQ

billywilly

Indie_Kid wrote: »

You mention that your friend has experience with these forms - is that as welfare rights adviser or a claimant? Either way, I would get advise on this.

To get PIP, you only need help 50% of the time. You need to be able to repeat the task in a safe and timely (no more than double the time it takes a non-disabled person) manner. It's reasonable to suggest that if doing the task is painful, you can't do it. So, you score the appropriate points for it.

Surely the assessor would have taken all of that into account when they reviewed the claim form and prepared the report based on what was said and observed?