Assessors report for pip

Wakeybex

I use public transport to get about usually due to this though 

Wakeybex

Not only do I get breathless but I get chest pain which I told them about also

poppy12345

Wakeybex said:

I'll give you a couple of descriptors that are wrong for e.g 
 my medication for this question it says I can take them unaided as this I told them I have to be reminded Dailly 
Washing/bathing
Saying the same thing can do this unaided I have also to be reminded of this as because I've depression I don't shower or bath for weeks and have to be prompted by my partner
Cooking food 
This also says the same 
I've I don't get told by anyone partner mainly I will not eat he has to tell me to 
Dressing and undressing 
I don't change my clothes for days on end also have to be reminded to do this 
Then mobility side of things
I can stand unaided and walk but I can walk about half a mile before I have to stop and sit down as I get breathless due to my ongoing health condition (heart) this also said I can do this unaided
That's just a couple of them that is wrong please please no judgement on this 

Firstly, when you filled out the form did you put as much information as possible about how your conditions affect you? Did you give some real world examples of what happened the last time your partner didn't remind you to wash/bath?

Preparing a meal.. why can't you do this? Would using an aid help you? maybe you need assistance from your partner to be able to do this? if you do then why, why can't you use an aid to prepare and cook a meal? why wouldn't this help you?

Mobility, you said you can walk unaided for about half a mile. The HCP said you can walk unaided, which is correct because that's what you just stated. Half a mile is quite far and the distance for Standard daily living for moving around is a maximum of 50 metres and this would score you 8 points.

For Enhanced mobility (moving around) it's no more than 20 metres and this would score you 12 points.

Have a read through all of this, it may help to have some understanding.

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

Spoonie_Turtle

Wakeybex said:

I use public transport to get about usually due to this though 

The PIP descriptors for moving around are these:

1. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points
2. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points
3. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points
4. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points
5. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points
6. Cannot, either aided or unaided - (i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points

So if you can repeatedly, reliably, safely, and in a reasonable time (no more than twice the time it would take a non-disabled person) walk more than 200m, no points for this.

I can't remember whether we've given you links in previous threads, but:
Descriptors, concepts (such as reliably) and case law https://pipinfo.net/
How PIP is assessed overall https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

You ideally need to understand what the descriptors mean and how each activity is assessed to stand the best chance of putting forward your case.

For the other activities, prompting is included in the assessment. I personally haven't (yet) had to challenge a decision but others here have more experience so they can guide you better about whether what you've written for the other activities is okay or if you need to be any more specific. I would say you probably need to state 'because of {symptom/s} caused by {illness/es} I {forget / don't have motivation / whatever the case may be} to do {activity} so I need reminding ... ' etc.

Edit: cross-posted with poppy

Actually this link will help with thinking about specific activities https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

poppy12345

Wakeybex said:

I use public transport to get about usually due to this though 

Due to what?

Wakeybex

Heart condition I've had from birth and will have for the rest of my life I can only walk so far without breathlessness and chest pain this isn't the same every day though on a bad day I struggle to get up and down the stairs at home 

poppy12345

The stairs isn't counted for any of the descriptors. Walking on flat even surface is what's taken into consideration. You said you can walk half a mile before getting out of brreath and needing to stop but how often can you do this and could you walk the same distance again that day?

Wakeybex

No that's about all I can do 1 one day but others it can be less that half a mile

poppy12345

How far then? Stating you can walk half a mile before having to stop because you're out of breath isn't going to get you a mobility award. You need to state how far you can walk without stopping and whether you can do this regularly and reliably.

Please have a read of the link i posted in a previous comment because having some understanding of the PIP descriptors and what they mean is always helpful.

I claim Enhanced mobility but i can only manage a couple of steps without pain and discomfort and i couldn't do this regularly either. If i go out i have to use my mobility scooter because walking around a shop or even between shops is impossible.

Wakeybex

It really depends some days I can and others I can't I will just wait for my decision letter