PIP: do yo automatically get a higher rate as a registered blind person?

Enigmaman

I am registered as partially sighted and am about to claim PIP. I currently get DLA at the lower rate for both care and mobility.

My eye consultant says I could be reclassified as blind if I choose as my sight is borerline. I am not keen on the label but if it helps me get more PIP it could be worth it.

Does anyone know if the DWP has hard and fast rules about the partially sighted/blind distinction and the rate of PIP?

NeilCr

http://www.rnib.org.uk/personal-independence-payment-toolkit

This should be of help to you.

Afaik, though, the answer to your question is no

McKneff

Be careful .

You cannot choose how blind you are.

rockingbilly

Enigmaman wrote: »

I am registered as partially sighted and am about to claim PIP. I currently get DLA at the lower rate for both care and mobility.

My eye consultant says I could be reclassified as blind if I choose as my sight is borerline. I am not keen on the label but if it helps me get more PIP it could be worth it.

Does anyone know if the DWP has hard and fast rules about the partially sighted/blind distinction and the rate of PIP?

For PIP having any form of disablement will not automatically get you an award.

You are assessed just the same way as everybody else. If you fit enough descriptors to get enough points then you get an award.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

nannytone_2

was registered blind in 1996, but received low rate for both components of DLA until 2013.

it was only raised when i got to the point that i could no longer read any letters on the chart and just finger count.

apart from the mobility side, what you can or cannot see is a red herring when it comes to DLA and PIP as any award is based on how you manage.
some manage better than othersi

rockingbilly

nannytone wrote: »

was registered blind in 1996, but received low rate for both components of DLA until 2013.

it was only raised when i got to the point that i could no longer read any letters on the chart and just finger count.

apart from the mobility side, what you can or cannot see is a red herring when it comes to DLA and PIP as any award is based on how you manage.
some manage better than othersi

It's the managing bit that really confuses me. Should someone's dogged determination and willpower be used against them? Personally I will never let any of my disabilities get the better of me. My eyesight is not as bad as yours, but because of the drugs I take my focus on say a newspaper article is variably poor to bad. It's like trying to read through frosted glass at times. Things at a distance are fine. I went out and bought a large magnifying glass which allows me to read as normal.
I suppose then that there are those others that whinge and moan saying that they have a restricted ability but don't want/can't be bothered to do something about it.

nannytone_2

i am the same as you, but that is also recognised in regards to PIP and DLA.

the fact that you use an aid would gain you points.

i can walk along the street alone because i have a guide dog.

the fact i have a guide dog gets me points.

i use a rubber band as an aid to tell me the difference between shampoo and conditioner ( someone has to tell the difference for me in the first place ) but that is also an aid and will get points.

it is only if you manage without any need to adapt that the need would be discounted

tooldle

My sibling is severely sight impaired. Up until recently he received low rate care and mobility. Following recent reassesment, he now receives only low rate mobility. His condition is progressive.