PIP Mobility & Mental Health

jasonbudd1984

I have been on PIP Enhanced Care for several years now.

However, I have only ever had 4 points in mobility.

Speaking to other people within my support groups (complex mental health problems) several of them get the mobility component of PIP, and I didn't realise this was possible (so never challenged it).

Both C & D below apply to me. However, I am not sure how best to communicate this in a new form. Can anyone help guide me as to what kind of wording to use, or documentation to include? Bit lost...

c. Cannot plan the route of a journey. 8 points.
d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points.

kingfisherblue

I doubt if anyone can tell you the wording to use, because nobody here knows why the descriptors apply to you. You need to explain why you cannot plan the route of a journey, and why you cannot follow the route without another person, etc. For example, my son has a severe learning disability and is unable to plan the route of a journey because of cognitive impairment, but that obviously doesn't apply to you, as it is not a mental health issue. You also understand the descriptors, which my son cannot.


What documentation do you have to support the descriptors?

poppy12345

I agree with Kingfisher here, you need to explain why you can't and what would happen if you were left alone outside. Real life examples are always good.


My daughter also scored 12 points here, she has a learning disability and ASD. She couldn't plan a journey either because of cognitive impairment and safety. She has no road sense despite being 18. She just doesn't understand that she needs to stop and look before crossing. When i'm out with her, i have to hold her hand while crossing any road and remind her that she needs to stand and wait.



You can't compare yourself to anyone else because everyone is affected differently by these conditions. What might affect one person, might not affect another.

Muttleythefrog

I get standard rate through descriptor E of planning & following journeys (the descriptor which as of this month entitles to Blue Badge also). But as above really you need to describe your difficulties going out and this can vary enormously among mental illness sufferers. I would consider describing any recent attempts to go out.. or failing that a theoretical one with what is likely to happen... from aspects of planning onwards in trying to walk to familiar and unfamiliar locations, the difficulties presenting and support needed by another person. If you suffer significant psychological problem in attempting to go out or complete such journeys then explain so. Any medical evidence you have that supports what you're saying I'd be tempted to include but you may have nothing specifically relevant.

In theory someone with purely mental health problems could get either rate of mobility component or neither. Regarding the planning & following journeys activity you may or may not be aware the government was unhappy with tribunal decisions favouring mentally ill claimants. It reacted by making some crude amendments to descriptors d and f to exclude those suffering anxiety problems -that was determined to be illegal in court and the descriptors returned to what they were. A trawl through potentially affected claimants is being conducted... not sure if they've finished yet... they looked at my case and determined that their decision was unchanged as descriptor E describes my difficulty most of the time. It is worth saying that because they will likely apply the descriptor that they think applies to you most of the time where several have relevance.

Alice_Holt

I'd suggest you get face to face advice from your local advice agency / CAB:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

You need to be aware that if you ask for a supersession of your existing award, the DWP will review your whole award. It could go up, down, or stay the same:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-a-benefit-decision/challenging-a-dwp-benefit-decision-on-or-after-28-october-2013/changing-a-benefit-decision-by-revision-and-supersession/changing-a-dwp-benefit-decision-by-supersession/

It helps to have evidence, etc ready to accompany the supersession form, and making your case as compelling as possible.

The wording of the descriptor has changed / been amended in recent years. I wonder if yours is an award that should be reviewed by the DWP:
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/top-tips/what-the-2018-pip-ruling-means-for-those-living-with-mental-health-issues/
https://cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/resources/article/pip-and-psychological-distress

Some useful PIP resources for further info:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/808855/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria.pdf
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/rights-restrictions/money-benefits-and-employment/personal-independence-payment-pip/

jasonbudd1984

All very helpful thank you. I was just wondering whether there was some kind of standard language you need to pass muster. My own situation does meet many of the criteria, so ill just write out all I can.

Muttleythefrog

jasonbudd1984 wrote: »

All very helpful thank you. I was just wondering whether there was some kind of standard language you need to pass muster. My own situation does meet many of the criteria, so ill just write out all I can.

Just to assist a bit further. I assume you're facing re-assessment (last 6 months of PIP award now typically they'll send out renewal form)... and have been sent form to complete in this regard. (If not then I think you need additional advice on the risks of what you plan to do such as noted in post #5 as first you'd need to establish what you and the DWP consider you are trying to do such as report change in health.)

There isn't really any standard language as such. The descriptors themselves are the language you need to trigger... and so understand what those descriptors mean is important. Describing your problems then in relation to that understanding to present relevant difficulties to assess relevance of descriptors then hopefully follows... plus pointing at any supporting evidence consistent with what you say. There is lots of advice out there on the Mobility 1 activity and good links above but if I were suggesting a singular link this one is maybe best https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/13-going-out/ and ensure you look in detail at the expandable headings under "Extra information: what to write". My own personal approach because I face quite complex difficulties is to go methodically through an attempt to go out.. so starting with the planning... the support needed, the difficulties, the time taken etc.. and then so on. Unfortunately most of my attempts to go out are aborted... so I also go through a theoretical outing and the problems I'd face at each stage... and perhaps also utilise previous successes to shed light.

Poppy9

I appealed my OH PIP after MR just repeated origin decision . I submitted on line and uploaded original letters outlining basis of review request. Also uploaded physio report and consultant appt letters to show on going treatment. I chose not to attend appeal.

A few weeks later DWP rang my OH and asked a few questions- we were on speaker phone as OH not very good with retaining info etc . They were very nice and agreed original decision wrong and gave higher rate for DL and mobility.

He had a explain to her on phone his difficulties with planning a journey and give an example and she seemed to understand. She also asked a few questions about his physical difficulties. She wasn’t at all intrusive and very respectful in her manner of speaking to us.

She concluded by asking if we were happy to cancel appeal

Have to say it wasn’t the unpleasant process we had been expecting. OH has been eligible for DLA/PIP for years but never claimed as we thought the process would be too stressful for him and as I was working with a decent salary didn’t need money. A severe accident last year with limited recovery meant we had to reconsider this especially as I now no longer work as I’m his carer now.