Partially Sighted Help

Alice_Holt

From your list, 5 Daily Living points seem to apply:

2 points for needing a aid for reading (the magnifier);
2 points for needing an aid to prepare / cook a meal (Or perhaps 4 points if you need supervision or assistance to do this activity safely?);
1 point for needing an aid to take medication / therapy.

8 points are necessary for a standard award.

Have a look at the PIP descriptors (and the RNIB guide) to see what else might apply:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

Dressing ? Any aids required such as special fasteners? Adaptations such as velcro shoes?
Washing ? How do you distinguish between various bottles of shampoo / shower gel / etc.
Taking Nutrition ? Help to cut up food? Check for bones in fish etc?

This guide is worth a look, it explains how points should be awarded:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725533/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf

In your case whether you can do activities safely and to an acceptable standard will be an important issue, to fully explain on the PIP2 form.

crackerberry

Potentially there would also be points for washing and bathing too, if you need a temperature gauge for checking water temperatures. Also for engaging with peple face to face if you have difficulty recognising people, and for planning and following a journey on the mobility side

MattSt89

Thanks.

I will have a word with CAB and see if they can help when it comes to the application plus the sight service that my local authrotiy use for assessments etc have an advice worker who can apparently help too.

I wasnt aware of the RNIB toolkit but I will take a look at that too.

As for preparing and cooking meals, I do have to be careful, for certain aspects I could probably do with assistance or someone to watch over me, but that not actually possible right now as I have no one to come and do that for me, so I do just have to get on with it and take care, I was given some orange bumper stops to put on the cooker which someone from sight service helped me do which helps identify the points in terms of the point I need it switched to.

When I cut things or peel etc I just have to be careful and get quite close by bending down to do so. However I have had accidents before like curring myself and knocking things over.

I take a few tablets for other stuff alongside my conditions, so I use one of those dosett medi pill organiser to help remember and know where they are, I also take eye drops frequent, I struggle with the insulin injections sometimes as I cant read the numbers on the pen to get the right amount, but im not aware of anything out there to help with this.

Thanks for the PIP descriptors, I was aware of those but ill save the link for when I do the form.

Dressing and washing, I wont lie, I dont have any physical restrictions, I can do these, but to see my clothing or washing items like shower gel I just have to hold closer to me to see it and read with the magnifier.

Alice - thanks for the guide!

Safety is a big one for me and journeys. I use public transport, but our tram system is the one I use the most because I just know which side of the station is for what direction im travelling in so I avoid the bus, because I cant read the numbers on it and often miss it because by the time I can see the number its too late to stop and I rely on others at the bus stop if I can.

If I go to an area or place I dont know I panic because if I cant read signs and street signs etc I worry I will get lost or get into trouble.

I have had a few near miss moments when crossing a road. I always use a zebra crossing or traffic light points to cross but I struggle when its a smaller road that dont have these, the mobility officer give me guidance and practice with this so have better advice to do it now.

I obviously have the cane so this can now be used to hopefully point to people I am partially sighted and the smaller magnifier to help read signs and street signs etc.

I have to use the directions app on my phone that speaks to me when I need directions or I wouldnt be able to read it without getting out the bigger magnifier whilst out.

Travelling is a huge worry for me.

Recognising people, objects, obstructions, things on the path, shop fronts, etc are possible but I have to be very close to the person or thing to be able to see it properly, I have been known to actually bump into people when I have seen them too late or into tree stumps on a path.

Skibunny40

On the subject of transport, I don't know all the details but my aunt is partially sighted and she's entitled to a second train ticket for free for a person to help her during her journey.
Also, not as practical, but she has a pass ( think it was about £6) that gets her free second tickets for the cinema so a friend can accompany her.
Definitely worth getting an advisor to help with the PIP application. My aunt is older, so she was doing an Attendance Allowance claim but essentially it's the same thing - when she applied herself, she was refused but as soon as she was able to re-apply with an advisor's help, she got the full, higher allowance. Nothing changed, it's all about how you fill in the form unfortunately.

calcotti

Please make sure you understand the 'reliability' test which is applied. If you are able to do things but struggle to do them and can't do them to the required standard then, for PIP purposes, you should be considered as not able to do them and therefore score points.

From what you have said it sounds as if you would not meet the reliability test on grounds of safety and/or acceptable standard (although this is not defined) and possibly being able to do tasks within a reasonable time.

The meaning of "reliably" is defined in regulations.

Regulation 4(2A) of the main PIP regulations provides -

Where [a claimant's] ability to carry out an activity is assessed, [the claimant] is to be assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if [the claimant] can do so -
(a) safely;
(b) to an acceptable standard;
(c) repeatedly; and
(d) within a reasonable time period.
Regulation 4(4) of the main PIP regulations provides -

"safely” means in a manner unlikely to cause harm to [the claimant] or to another person, either during or after completion of the activity;

“repeatedly” means as often as the activity being assessed is reasonably required to be completed; and

“reasonable time period” means no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a person without a physical or mental condition which limits that person’s ability to carry out the activity in question would normally take to complete that activity.

Source: Regulation 4 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013 (SI.No.377/2013)

MattSt89

Thanks, I find it hard because where I live its away from family, s I only have close friends and its not always possible to have one of them with me, but they try and I try as best as we can to get the help together when its feasibly possible.

I have been told I can apply for a concessionary bus pass, which I could do, but until I get more confidence I don't think I would it that much.

I've heard about the second ticket with trains and I've also been given the information around assisted travel if I need it when I use a train.

Edit: Oh thanks for the information on the regulations too there, so does that mean I would be classed as not been able to carry out certain tasks safely? Or did I understand you wrong there?

calcotti

MattSt89 wrote: »

Oh thanks for the information on the regulations too there, so does that mean I would be classed as not been able to carry out certain tasks safely? Or did I understand you wrong there?

From what you've said I think that may be the case. Take cooking for example. You need to think about your ability to peel and chop vegetables, open tins and transfer things to a pot, heat them up, know that they are properly cooked and being able to safely dish the cooked food up.

You appear to have an increased risk of cutting or burning yourself while cooking. I expect that preparing food also takes you longer than would be considered reasonable by someone without the difficulties you face. The PIP scoring for cooking is;

a. Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided - 0 points
b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points
c. Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave - 2 points
d. Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points
e. Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 4 points
f. Cannot prepare and cook food - 8 points

I would argue that in order to prepare a simple meal to the required standard at the very least you require supervision or assistance and therefore should score 4 points. This is already half way to a standard award of the Daily Living component.

Under Taking Medication the need to use a dosette box should score you one point (as per Alice's post).

Needing an aid to read should score 2 point (again as per Alice's post).

This gets to 7 points. Things you might wish to think about in terms of additional points:

Under toilet needs are you are able to see of you have cleaned yourself properly after using the toilet? (I am not expecting you to reply to that on this forum!)

Although you can dress yourself does it take an unreasonable amount of time?

Engaging with other people - do you mix with other people or are you isolated and need prompting to mis with other people?

Budgeting - how does your vision affect you ability to manage your money? Can you see how much change you are given in a shop, for example?

Planning and following a journey - if you need the cane to help you find your way this is an orientation aid and should score 12 points. In addition you are obviously at risk of accident and injury when out. If you get 12 points you would be entitled to the Enhanced rate of the mobility component. (From your post I am not clear if you are relying on the cane or using it more as a sort of badge to make others aware that you may need help.)

MattSt89

calcotti wrote: »

From what you've said I think that may be the case. Take cooking for example. You need to think about your ability to peel and chop vegetables, open tins and transfer things to a pot, heat them up, know that they are properly cooked and being able to safely dish the cooked food up.

You appear to have an increased risk of cutting or burning yourself while cooking. I expect that preparing food also takes you longer than would be considered reasonable by someone without the difficulties you face. The PIP scoring for cooking is;

a. Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided - 0 points
b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points
c. Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave - 2 points
d. Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points
e. Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 4 points
f. Cannot prepare and cook food - 8 points

I would argue that in order to prepare a simple meal to the required standard at the very least you require supervision or assistance and therefore should score 4 points. This is already half way to a standard award of the Daily Living component.

Under Taking Medication the need to use a dosette box should score you one point (as per Alice's post).

Needing an aid to read should score 2 point (again as per Alice's post).

Things you might wish to think about:
Under toilet needs are you are able to see of you have cleaned yourself properly after using the toilet? (I am not expecting you to reply to that on this forum!)

Although you can dress yourself does it take an unreasonable amount of time?

Engaging with other people - do you mix with other people or are you isolated and need prompting to mis with other people?

Budgeting - how does your vision affect you ability to manage your money? can you see how much change you are given in a shop, for example?

Planning and following a journey - if you need the cane to help you find your way this is an orientation aid and should score 12 points. In addition you are obviously at risk of accident and injury when out. If you get 12 points you would be entitled to the Enhanced rate of the mobility component. (From your post I am not clear if you are relying on the cane or using it more as a sort of badge to make others aware that you may need help.)

calcotti - i really appreciate all of the help and information and clearly the effort you have put into the responses for me.

Im just trying to get my head around it all, im also a very organised person so ive been trying to use a word document to detail information about each descriptor and also save documents that might help, so I have it all together.

Im thinking I should request the PIP forms soon, was just reluctant to do so straight away as I know you have a deadline to return.

Plus I wanted to have copies of assessments and documentation I have been provided with as I thought copies of these would be useful

Ive also been advised to maybe keep a diary for 7 days for example to show what I need help with, struggle with, when I use aids and cant do certain tasks, and record if I do happen to hurt or in jure myself to show that safety is an aspect that could impact me.

Hoping I am heading in the right direction at least.

RE - cane - it was advised after assessment that I use it more as an awareness tool to others and to give me more confidence when crossing roads, I don't actually need to use it to get about, but linking it to been able to recognise things for example obstructions, people or even a car as it is approaching up the road, they need to be a certain distance to me to be able to see properly So don't think that would be enough to get 12 points.

Alice_Holt

Your explanations @ post 14 is very clear and could easily form the basis of what you put on the PIP2 form.
I would suggest you physically complete the form by using additional sheets firmly attached to the form (typed if possible) and referring back to the references on the form. The main reason for this is that the boxes for completion on the form are quite small, and it is often difficult to fit in the full information. It also makes the return easily edited to get a consistent picture, and easily legible to the decision maker.

I certainly think (per calcotti) that 4 points for cooking and preparing food should be awarded.

Re dressing - the reliability criteria covers doing the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, and in a reasonable timescale. If it takes you longer than twice as long as a fully sighted person to do an activity - then you should be counted as not able to do the that activity (reliably). Can you tell if the clothes are clean, and not stained?

The time it takes may be an issue with a few of the activities (including cooking), so you will need to repeat this point on the PIP2 form on all the affected activities. Explain why it takes you longer, why you are at a safety risk, why you can't do it to an acceptable standard, etc. (The diary should enable you to give good examples). Repetition on the form is not a problem - paint the picture as fully as you can for the decision maker.

The fact that you don't always have the help of another person (i.e to cook) doesn't prevent you scoring the higher points. It's the fact that you (ideally) need assistance to perform the task safely and to an acceptable standard.

This is a helpful site, with some good guides:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
But does have a membership cost of around £20.

MattSt89

When you mentioned stuff about the dressing, I do remember the enablement worker that came and did as assessment and she asked the same question about the length of time it takes me to get dressed and also can I tell if my clothes are dirty or stained and when I do think about this I suppose in some respects I don't always know about stains, it all depends on the light in the room or in the location I am at, the colour of the clothes and the extent of the stain, plus I would sat it takes a little longer to get dressed by having to see if clothes are dirty, bringing them closer to my face, finding the clothes I want and recognising where they are, just not sure if it takes twice as long though.

Yeah I would admit there are various tasks that I would welcome the assistance with but don't have the fortunate position to be in to have that help so I can emphasise this with a lot of stuff too.

Thanks also to the link to the other website, even though it costs I am more than willing to invest a little bit to get the guides if it all helps try and get the PIP claim successful the first time round.

I will also keep the diaries as I think these will be valuable in showing and explaining.

Question regarding the form, I think its great I can type my answers up and attach as this will be easier for me, so is it acceptable to just put in the boxes "please see attached sheet number x" for example?

Thanks.