Does using aids such as a magnifying glass score you pip points?

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I am about to fill in a pip form soon and have been told that using aids such as a magnifying glass (but not spectacles or contract lenses) will actually help to give me points for pip, is this correct?

I do use a magnifying glass a lot to read labels on bottles etc and quite a few leaflets that come with medicine.

The reason I ask this question is, that under DLA I thought that if a person could carry out the activity normally with the help of an aid, then it wouldn't really work in their favour, but I know PIP is a points based benefit.

So I would be grateful if someone in the know could advice me about this. I have posted this in a different website forum and some people have said that a magnifying glass cant be considered as an aid, as its readily available in a non disability shop., so thoughts on this appreciated.
Many thanks

poppy12345

justaquestion wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am about to fill in a pip form soon and have been told that using aids such as a magnifying glass (but not spectacles or contract lenses) will actually help to give me points for pip, is this correct?

I do use a magnifying glass a lot to read labels on bottles etc and quite a few leaflets that come with medicine.

The reason I ask this question is, that under DLA I thought that if a person could carry out the activity normally with the help of an aid, then it wouldn't really work in their favour, but I know PIP is a points based benefit.

So I would be grateful if someone in the know could advice me about this. I have posted this in a different website forum and some people have said that a magnifying glass cant be considered as an aid, as its readily available in a non disability shop., so thoughts on this appreciated.
Many thanks

Yes, it's classed as an aid and could score 2 points in activity 8b.

See the PIP descriptors here.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

This guide may also be useful to you.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665635/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf
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justaquestion

Thanks for reply. I should mention that the Magnifying glass is not your standard one you get in a shop, its a more specialised one with a light given to me by the Low Vision Clinic at local hospital, I also have one of those monocular devices.

Another question if its ok to ask, I have received one of those large print PIP forms to fill in, does it count against me if I am able to fill it in myself since I am partially sighted, taking my time I probably can, or otherwise to get my partner to fill it in for me?


Also, Would a claimant only get these points once, say if for Mobility they use a magnifying glass to help read a map, and likewise for Daily living is used to help read labels on medicine etc?
Can you only get the points in one instance?


Many thanks

poppy12345

justaquestion wrote: »

Thanks for reply. I should mention that the Magnifying glass is not your standard one you get in a shop, its a more specialised one with a light given to me by the Low Vision Clinic at local hospital, I also have one of those monocular devices.

Another question if its ok to ask, I have received one of those large print PIP forms to fill in, does it count against me if I am able to fill it in myself since I am partially sighted, taking my time I probably can, or otherwise to get my partner to fill it in for me?


Also, Would a claimant only get these points once, say if for Mobility they use a magnifying glass to help read a map, and likewise for Daily living is used to help read labels on medicine etc?
Can you only get the points in one instance?


Many thanks

It doesn't matter who fills it in but you have to sign it.

Points aren't given for reading maps in the mobility part. Please read through all the PIP descriptors (or your partner) to make sure you fully understand them.

Alice_Holt

justaquestion wrote: »

I should mention that the Magnifying glass is not your standard one you get in a shop, its a more specialised one with a light given to me by the Low Vision Clinic at local hospital, I also have one of those monocular devices.

Make this clear on your form. Using an ordinary magnifying glass for convenience would not score the points.

TELLIT01

There is a difference between using a magnifying glass to read small print on labels, and needing a magnifying glass for all, or most, reading. My first boss in IT needed a magnifying glass for all reading and was registered blind.