Enhanced Mobility PIP for Aspergers

catswhiskers4

Hi, since the government changed the rules on mobility to rule out psychological distress. Does anyone know if you can still get enhanced mobility for Aspergers? We're currently waiting on an assessment date for PIP and my husband only had his official diagnosis of Aspergers yesterday. It doesn't change how he's affected, but nice to get the confirmation. He can't go out on his own due to not being able to follow directions, read maps or speak to people to ask for assistance. He also has seizures brought on by being overwhelmed.

Feyfangirl

I think it entirely depends on the assessor. I was denied PIP completely and have aspergers , social anxiety and dyspraxia and told that as i arrived it flew in the face of my anxiety claim. I wish you both luck.......

Alice_Holt

Some thoughts:

I wonder if you could concentrate on the physical effects - for instance the seizures. This is nicked from the Benefits & Work PIP guide - "In CPIP/1599/2016, the Upper Tribunal held that claimants do not have to show that they would be at risk ‘more often than not’ in order to reasonably require supervision when carrying out an activity.
So, if you need someone with you when walking outdoors because you have epilepsy, for example, and may need assistance if you have a seizure, then we would argue you should score 12 points for this activity.
This should be the case even if you have seizures only rarely, if they are potentially very serious."
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip#claims

The descriptors state "For reasons other than psychological distress", so could it be argued that Asperger's is a neurobiological disorder and has a physical cause not psychological?
And that neurobiological disorder then causes problems following directions, reading maps, etc.

Until the precise legal interpretation of the new wording is tested in the Upper Tribunal, the case-law precedent is yet to be established.
I would certainty try for it, expect to be turned down by the DWP, take it to tribunal (with help from an advice agency) and see how the wording is interpreted by the judge(s).

Alice_Holt

This thread is relevant:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5654563

IAmWales

Stop_Watch wrote: »

People with Aspergers are normally very high functioning and live normal lives so i am surprised if they would qualify.

The way your portray his conditions I am surprised he passed the Mental Capacity Act to get married.

Stereotyping much?

Anxiety can be a huge problem for people on the autistic spectrum.

catswhiskers4

Rude Stop Watch. He suffers from crippling anxiety and paranoid thoughts which is fairly common amongst people with Aspergers. That doesn't make him mentally incapable of having a life. His brain just gets overwhelmed.

Keeping_Positive

Feyfangirl wrote: »

I think it entirely depends on the assessor. I was denied PIP completely and have aspergers , social anxiety and dyspraxia and told that as i arrived it flew in the face of my anxiety claim. I wish you both luck.......

I hope you appealed. I had help from a support worker which was invaluable. She could help with the form and came to the assessment. She also put together the appeal letter. I now get pip for the daily living element.

OP

Mobility is tougher but im sure with perseverance and if you get get evidence from someone like a doctor about the physical danger he can put himself in without support from someone.

Keeping_Positive

Stop_Watch wrote: »

People with Aspergers are normally very high functioning and live normal lives so i am surprised if they would qualify.

The way your portray his conditions I am surprised he passed the Mental Capacity Act to get married.

Everyone is different even those on the spectrum. "High functioning" doesn't mean a person doesn't struggle. It's not uncommon for someone with aspergers to appear normal and be very intelligent but then struggle with °simple" tasks such as remembering to eat, dress appropriately or not be able to socialize due to noise, lights etc etc.