PiP rules - updated 9 December 2015 at 12:59PM edited 9 December 2015 at 1:03PM in Disability money matters 34 replies 6.9K views

50Twuncle

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-fact-sheets


Appears to state that if someone has a walking aid but is unable to move 20 metres - they are entitled to max Mobility - am I reading this correctly ?
See page 12
"For individuals who cannot stand and then move 20 metres they will receive 12 points and therefore the enhanced rate of the mobility component 'regardless of whether they need' an aid or appliance."

Is the assessment carried out with aid or without ?
This is extremely important for me - My left knee is hyperextended and extremely painful to put any weight on - I do have a splint that helps but cannot use it for more than a few minutes at a time - so when I am assessed - will I be assessed with or without the splint ?
Without the splint - I cannot walk more than a few steps without intense pain...

Ferryboat_Woman

The walking aid isn't really relevant.The mobility part is based on whether you can walk 20 metres in a reasonable time frame and/or repeatedly.So if you walk extremely slowly with frequent rests you will quality for mobility.

50Twuncle

But is that walking test carried out WITH my brace or without it ?
My brace is extremely relevant !!
Nowhere can I get a definite answer...........

pmlindyloo

Here is the definition of an aid

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/glossary/1987-what-does-aid-or-appliance-mean-for-personal-independence-payment-pip

Since your brace improves your physical function then it seems that it would be classed as an aid.

The fact that wearing the brace causes you pain after a few minutes should be taken into account.

As I am sure you are aware PIP is being 'looked at' by the government and until this is finalised no one is going to be able to give you a definite answer as to which descriptor you will meet.

50Twuncle

They imply that using an aid puts you in the same position as someone who doesn't need an aid ?
I guess that it all comes down to how long I can wear the brace for - without pain ?
12. Moving around.
12 a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points
12 b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points
12 c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points
12 d. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points
12 e. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points
12 f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, –(i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points

From what I understand - even though I receive LIFETIME award of DLA - I will be reassessed for PiP - but the first stage is a SELF ASSESSMENT ?
Depending on this - and my GP's report - I may be called for assessment - is this correct ?

pmlindyloo

This link tells you what happens if/when you are called for a PIP assessment.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/if-you-get-dla/

Ferryboat_Woman

To THEM the aid isn't relevant! Therefore, yes, they do lump everyone together as you suggest.All they are interested in is what you can and cannot do!
With or without an aid...... if you cannot walk 20 metres repeatedly and/or at a reasonable walking pace you will get mobility.Almost everybody is called for an assessment with PIP. When you are called for assessment ask for a home visit.They won't offer and will try and fob you off but stick to your guns.In your own home you can show the difficulties in everyday living from, eg putting shopping away to housework to bathing.It has a lot more clout to actually SHOW these difficulties rather than just explaining them in an office.

Newly_retired

Some people have found that a home visit is not to their advantage actually. It did not reveal, for example, their anxiety and panic at having to go to an unfamiliar place, nor did it show the difficulties they can experience in an environment which is less safe, less supportive, less familiar than their home environment.
So it is different for different people.

Ferryboat_Woman

Fair point.It's horses for courses.For anyone not suffering with anxiety/panic attacks then a home visit is preferable.The OP didn't mention that he suffers with either and if it is a mobility issue I would still advise him to push for a home visit.The first question they will ask is...... If your mobility is so severe then how did you travel by bus/train/walk across the car park?

nannytone_2

im blind and don't think a home visit would do me any favours as i move around at home just as easily as most people move around theirs ... tae me out of my home and I'm stuck!

50Twuncle

Ferryboat_Woman wrote: »

To THEM the aid isn't relevant! Therefore, yes, they do lump everyone together as you suggest.All they are interested in is what you can and cannot do!
With or without an aid...... if you cannot walk 20 metres repeatedly and/or at a reasonable walking pace you will get mobility.Almost everybody is called for an assessment with PIP. When you are called for assessment ask for a home visit.They won't offer and will try and fob you off but stick to your guns.In your own home you can show the difficulties in everyday living from, eg putting shopping away to housework to bathing.It has a lot more clout to actually SHOW these difficulties rather than just explaining them in an office.

Sorry - but I am still confused - the rules state OR - which implies a choice - is this my choice or their choice ?
"Aided OR Unaided"
"OR" implies "EITHER"
"AND" would have been clearer - meaning that "BOTH" would have covered it....