PIP complex budgeting decisions

Hannah2610

I recently applied for PIP, I have epilepsy. I have temporal lobe epilepsy, so although I have generalised seizures, I also have memory and emotional problems. This is part of the condition, the temporal lobe is responsible for memory and emotions.
I recieved 7 points, 2 for washing and bathing, 2 for using a microwave, 2 for prompting to engage with others, and 1 for monitoring and managing a health condition. (I'm not quite sure how to time my seizures whilst having them, or my little girl, but I don't have the energy to argue this point, so I will accept the 1 point for using a medication box)

I would like 2 points for complex budgeting decisions.
I have no motivation to pay my bills, and my memory is in bits.
This is not laziness, this is down to lack of motivation and memory. I feel like I'm drowning when faced with things and I just can't handle it, I need help. I forget to order my prescriptions every month and have to go to an emergency chemist. I don't know if this is memory or depression, both.
I did not go into my PIP assesment and talk about my depression, it clearly states on my diagnosis letter "I have explained to the patient that this condition can be associated with seizures ,but also with complex memory and emotional symptoms."
It is not mental health, its neurological.
My memory and emotions effect me so much so, I cried with happiness when I was woken from a coma to be told I had epilepsy. Because I finally had an answer, I wasn't crazy and I didn't have brain cancer, that's how much it effects you beyond seizures. An I have to justify it. Painful.
I have a "friend" who has been awarded it for depression, an I find it really hard to accept that she has been awarded points for complex budgeting decisions.
Yes, I have uncontrolled seizures an it looks scary, but the memory and emotions are the biggest aspect for me, an it effects everything.

Is it worth trying a mandatory reconsideration for complex budgeting decisions?
Because I am going to get the help, regardless of PIP. I need it.

Thanks for anyone taking the time to read through

poppy12345

Managing or monitoring a health condition. It's not possible to score anymore than 1 point here unless therapy is given in your own home, which has to be recommended by a registered doctor, nurse, pharmacist or health professional regulated by the Health Professions Council.


If you need help with paying bills, household and personal budgets, then 2 points could be possible. Others will advise more regarding this.


As most MR decisions remain the same then you'll most likely have to take it to Tribunal. Appearing in person will give you the best chance of a decision in your favour. The only downside is waiting times for hearings are huge in most areas and lots of people are waiting longer than 10 months for a hearing date.



My advice when writing the MR is to state where and why you think you should have scored those points and then add a couple of real life examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you.



This link may help you understand the descriptors more.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria



You can't really compare yourself to another persons award because no one exactly how another persons conditions affect them exactly. PIP isn't awarded because on a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you're ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors.

Hannah2610

Last time I actually ticked 0 for everything bar complex budgeting decisions and mixing face to face, but there was a change with regards to safety and supervision whilst waiting for a tribunal (I was annoyed they gave me 4 points for cooking when I ticked zero, because I am in danger whatever I am doing, I have fractured my skull sat in a chair, so I decided to fight it.). I was given the points for complex budgeting decisions and prompting to engage with others the first time around, but not this time. It will be so hard to reject the current decision, have no money in the mean time, and go to a tribunal. It's the principle that is hard to ignore.
Thank you for your reply x

[Deleted User]

For my epilepsy I scored 11 points for care and 12 for mobility last year, I can't remember what points I got for which Id have to dig my paperwork out, but a lot of the points were to do with safety and supervision.
Its definitely worth going for a MR and pointing out where you think you should have scored points but didn't, if the MR fails then you must appeal, and try and get help from CAB or similar with an appeal.
If you need more help OP get back to me and I will look out my paper work and try and help, but I would say that the seizures being uncontrolled is important, do you get any warning at all before a seizure? and do you also have absences?

poppy12345

Couldn't agree more about getting some help from your local CAB or similar.

poppy12345

Hannah2610 wrote: »

Last time I actually ticked 0 for everything bar complex budgeting decisions and mixing face to face, but there was a change with regards to safety and supervision whilst waiting for a tribunal

Last time? Was this a review of an existing claim or were you previously refused?

Hannah2610

I have partial seizures, but I cannot move or speak, so I know it's coming, but there isn't a lot I can do about it! I am lucky in the respect..., I actually gave a description of my "moments" before diagnosis. I told the doctor I didn't believe it was panic attacks as I could no longer speak or move when it was happening. I was reffered to endocrine to see if there was an underlying issue. At that outpatient appointment..., I went into status!
My epilepsy is uncontrolled, I have actually been put on clobozam to take every day, this is after PIP decision was made.
Did you have help to fill it in? I really expected more points for safety and supervision, as you will know, it hurts wherever you fall an it's soul destroying to wake up from. No idea where you are or how you got there!

Thank you x

Hannah2610

I was previously awarded for both. This is a new claim. He last one was form3 years.x

Hannah2610

I have absences, partial, complex partial and generalised. Uncontrolled. It does state that its uncontrolled too.x

Spoonie_Turtle

Hannah2610 wrote: »

I have partial seizures, but I cannot move or speak, so I know it's coming, but there isn't a lot I can do about it! I am lucky in the respect..., I actually gave a description of my "moments" before diagnosis. I told the doctor I didn't believe it was panic attacks as I could no longer speak or move when it was happening. I was reffered to endocrine to see if there was an underlying issue. At that outpatient appointment..., I went into status!
My epilepsy is uncontrolled, I have actually been put on clobozam to take every day, this is after PIP decision was made.
Did you have help to fill it in? I really expected more points for safety and supervision, as you will know, it hurts wherever you fall an it's soul destroying to wake up from. No idea where you are or how you got there!

Thank you x

Are you unable to move or speak in those moments just before the seizure comes, or 'only' during the seizures?

For safety, they go by whether you are able to do anything in those warning moments to make yourself safe - if you're able to put down a hot pan before the seizure, or able to get yourself onto the floor so you don't fall, that kind of thing, they won't accept that you're in danger. If you cannot do anything to make yourself safe *despite* the prior warning, you'll have to argue your case for the points to which you are entitled.

[Although if in those warning moments you are unable to move or speak, surely that would be the start of the seizure anyway? It doesn't sound much of a 'warning' if you're already incapacitated.]

Freebyman

Go and get help from the charity which deals with epilepsy. They should have someone who can visit and help you with the appeal and reconsideration. Most of the time people dont get PIP because of the stupid way its changed from DLA. Thankfully we had help from a lovely lady from the Parkinsons society who was invaluable and filled the form in for us.