Can i claim p.i.p for not being able to talk and taking ages to eat

Hollyscool86

So i was recently diagnosed with tmj (jaw disorder)
It takes me a very long time to eat! I have to cut pieces up very small and its time consuming.i also find eatting difficult because chewing is painful and i therefor do it very slowly. My food is cold by the time ive finished eatting.
I can physically talk but its very painful to do so , so i othen dont and write down things to communicate. I find alot of talking aggrivates it and causes pain.
Is it possible to get points for this and how many in your opinion. I already claim p.i.p for other conditions and was wondering if its worth reporting this as well

NeilCr

What levels of PIP do you get now. How many points did you score

Information on reporting changes here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/changes-that-affect-pip/

But be aware that they can look at your whole award again.

Have a look at 4,9 and 11 here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

And 2,7 and 9 here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Documents/Advice%20(public)/PIP%20–%20table%20of%20activities,%20descriptors%20and%20points.pdf

Hollyscool86

I get standard care 9 points. Nothing for mobility. It is a big risk as im currently recieving an ongoing award

Trajal

Without knowing the breakdown of what you currently get it's virtually impossible to know. Have you checked e descriptors against your current award sheet?

If there is clear and obvious increase in points then it worth considering at least, but tread carefully.

Alice_Holt

What descriptors did you score the 9 points for?

Hollyscool86

I recieve 9 points for the following-
2 for dressing (prompting)
2 for washing (prompting)
1 for medication
2 for toilet needs
2 for budgeting

Trajal

Well, looking at it I can see 2 points for communicating (q7) but eating (q2) might yield another 2 points if you can demonstrate that it takes an onorously long period of time to cut up and slowly take on nutrition. But if you don't need prompting or anyone else to help you it doesn't look like much more than that.

Others may have a different view but I would err on the side of caution as I can't see where you would get the extra points needed for enhanced rate.

Alice_Holt

I'm not sure.
The PIP assessment guide - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725533/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf -
page 86 sets out how points could be scored for nutrition. Namely needing an aid, or assistance from another person, or prompting by another person.
At a stretch, you may be able to argue the need for aids to keep food warm because of the time taken to eat?
Not sure how not being able to do it reliably would fit around these descriptors.

Re Communicating (page 100) Again not sure how your difficulties would fit to the descriptors.
"Clarity of the claimant’s speech should be considered. In some cases the other participant
in the conversation may have to concentrate slightly harder than normal, for example after
a certain type of stroke it can be hard to articulate some sounds in speech. The speech
sounds different to normal but is understandable. This is to an acceptable standard in the
meaning of the descriptor. If the claimant couldn’t make themselves understood and had to
resort to hand gestures and writing notes this would not be to an acceptable standard."

It may depend on the length of time, you say " I find a lot of talking aggravates it and causes pain.", but for the activity complex speech is "Complex verbal information is information conveyed in either more than one sentence or one complicated sentence, for example: “I would like tea please, just a splash of milk and no sugar, as I always have sweeteners with me for when I go out.”
So that's quite a low bar re complex speech.

As it's not clear cut, on balance, I'd probably stick with the current award, but on renewal make a strong case for points in these two descriptors and see what results.

System

Doesn't the condition have to have lasted at least 3 months and projected to last another 9? (not 100% on those figures but im sure there a qualifying period for pip?)