PIP Downgrade - advice please

Willow1976

My husband has Retinitis Pigmentosa and is sadly in the advanced stages (very little useful eyesight left). He had a pip award for both the higher mobility and the higher living. We got a renewal form a year before the end of the award and put no change down for all the questions and submitted 2 good reports from his consultant and social worker. However someone has decided he only gets 10 points for living not 12 and has downgraded him (still gets the higher mobility). The award has been extended to 2020 but means we will have to go through this again in around 18months!
Since submitting he has been suffering from panic attacks and is on anti-depressants and I am trying to get him to have some counselling (he very rarely leaves the house) Is it worth asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration and mentioning this - would they award points for this? It seems very harsh to me, his condition is only going to get worse and there is no cure.

w06

What did he score 'points' on in the descriptors and which points did he think he should score poitns on?

Alice_Holt

w06 wrote: »

What did he score 'points' on in the descriptors and which points did he think he should score poitns on?

Exactly.

You & he need to decide what additional points should have been awarded.
https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums-income-support/eligibility

And then build a compelling case to show why the 12 (plus) points should have been awarded.
Medical evidence relating directly to the relevant descriptor(s) helps, if you do appeal it.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665635/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf

Willow1976

he got no points for socialising (face to face) - would the fact he suffers with panic attacks when out in public but enough?

w06

It might but, I had the impression he developed those after he made the PIP renewal, if that's so for them to be included he'd need to tell them his health had changed and have a new assessment of his needs

Willow1976

Ok Thanks, we will call and mention it to them. I was just wondering if anyone was aware that points could be awarded for this.

poppy12345

Willow1976 wrote: »

Ok Thanks, we will call and mention it to them. I was just wondering if anyone was aware that points could be awarded for this.

As has been stated, was this mentioned on the PIP review form or at the assessment? If it wasn't then they won't take it into consideration for the MR.

Danday

Willow1976 wrote: »

Ok Thanks, we will call and mention it to them. I was just wondering if anyone was aware that points could be awarded for this.

For PIP points are not awarded because of having an illness/disability/condition.
Points are only awarded for the relevant descriptors that would apply, and proven to apply in respect of the difficulties he faces because of that condition.

poppy12345

Any MR request should be put in writing rather than through a phone call. Bear in mind that they would look at the whole award again, so he does risk losing everything he already has.

pmlindyloo

Since he originally had enhanced daily living PIP what points weren't awarded this time?

This may make it easier to challenge and find the evidence that is still relevant.

Willow1976

right ok - will have to take a look at where he lost points and try and argue the case. Sorry we are new to all this and finding it a complete minefield. Life is rubbish enough right now without this adding to it.