ESA50 contact - found !

[Deleted User]

Alice_Holt said:

Deleted_User said:

What would You do?
Potentially missing out on almost £100 per week PIP

      As poppy has advised I would carefully go through the PIP descriptors with an advice agency.  
     PIP and DLA are two different benefits with totally different criteria, and a very different assessment processes.


   Why do you think you are missing out on £100 pw ?
   Is your DLA award £240 4-weekly? (Middle rate Care)
   Which PIP descriptors do you think apply to you (both Daily Living and Mobility) ?


https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

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

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

The "upgrade" to max care and max mobility (which I feel I do easily meet the descriptors of ....) means almost  £100 per week

Yes - my award is mid rate care only - I was considering applying for a transfer for the last 7 +  years - but dodnt because I kept expecting the letter through the door which never came - my mobility has gradually deteriorated and now I am at the point where I cannot move a single step without excruciating pain.

Also - my care has increased considerably - I feel sorry for my wife having to do virtually everything for me for carers allowance rates

[Deleted User]

I do however have some querys that someone here may be able to assist me with

Things like preparing food - I clearly am unable to do - because I am unable to stand at a work surface in the kitchen for more than a few seconds and also "the shakes" linked to Parkinsons means that I am likely to cut myself - washing up, the same

I could make a cup of tea - if I sat on my three legged shooting stick seat and avoided scalding myself with boiling water - but would be unable to move the filled cup away from the kettle - because I need both hands free to grab on to rails and handes fitted around my home. how do things like this work with criteria ?

Spoonie_Turtle

Deleted_User said:

I do however have some querys that someone here may be able to assist me with

Things like preparing food - I clearly am unable to do - because I am unable to stand at a work surface in the kitchen for more than a few seconds and also "the shakes" linked to Parkinsons means that I am likely to cut myself - washing up, the same

I could make a cup of tea - if I sat on my three legged shooting stick seat and avoided scalding myself with boiling water - but would be unable to move the filled cup away from the kettle - because I need both hands free to grab on to rails and handes fitted around my home. how do things like this work with criteria ?

This is exactly why you need to read the links and need to understand what is assessed and how.  A cup of tea is irrelevant to PIP.  [Incidentally, if it were, they would likely assume you could put it on a wheeled trolley to then use as a mobility aid to get it from the kitchen to wherever you need to be.]

The preparing food is a specific test, could you prepare and cook a simple meal for one with the fresh ingredients (protein, carbs and veg, basically)?  So, what aids could you use if you need help keeping safe - a finger protector for chopping?  A stool is an aid.  They will assume that most problems can be solved with an aid, so it's up to you to tell them if that's not the case.  How about if you chopped everything up, could you then cook it in the microwave if you can't cook it on the hob?  Being totally unable to do the activity even if you had supervision or assistance is a VERY high bar which quite frankly most disabled people don't meet.

We're happy to answer questions and help explain things that aren't clear from the guidance, but you have to help yourself too by actually reading the links given.  

[Deleted User]

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Deleted_User said:

I do however have some querys that someone here may be able to assist me with

Things like preparing food - I clearly am unable to do - because I am unable to stand at a work surface in the kitchen for more than a few seconds and also "the shakes" linked to Parkinsons means that I am likely to cut myself - washing up, the same

I could make a cup of tea - if I sat on my three legged shooting stick seat and avoided scalding myself with boiling water - but would be unable to move the filled cup away from the kettle - because I need both hands free to grab on to rails and handes fitted around my home. how do things like this work with criteria ?

This is exactly why you need to read the links and need to understand what is assessed and how.  A cup of tea is irrelevant to PIP.  [Incidentally, if it were, they would likely assume you could put it on a wheeled trolley to then use as a mobility aid to get it from the kitchen to wherever you need to be.]

The preparing food is a specific test, could you prepare and cook a simple meal for one with the fresh ingredients (protein, carbs and veg, basically)?  So, what aids could you use if you need help keeping safe - a finger protector for chopping?  A stool is an aid.  They will assume that most problems can be solved with an aid, so it's up to you to tell them if that's not the case.  How about if you chopped everything up, could you then cook it in the microwave if you can't cook it on the hob?  Being totally unable to do the activity even if you had supervision or assistance is a VERY high bar which quite frankly most disabled people don't meet.

We're happy to answer questions and help explain things that aren't clear from the guidance, but you have to help yourself too by actually reading the links given.  

OK I will have a good read through all of the links

thanks

[Deleted User]

Is there a blank application form available online - as ESA has an ESA50 ?

I can then decide whether to apply or not

poppy12345

There's just a sample of the form here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713118/pip2-how-your-disability-affects-you-form.pdf I'm not sure how looking at the form to see whether you should apply will help though.

Have you actually read any of the links posted above?If you haven't then you need to take some time to read through them all. Then hopefully you can at least have more understanding of what it's all about.

What you wrote above regarding washing up and making/carrying cups of tea tells me striaght away that you have very limited understanding of the descriptors, what they mean and the critieria.

Carrying pots, pans, plates etc around the kitchen is not considered in the descriptors, neither is washing the dishes.

For each activity they will first look at your ability to use an aid, if an aid doesn't help you then you need to explain why it doesn't help. Have you had any accidents while completing the said activities, where were you, who if anyone has seen that accident and the consequences.

[Deleted User]

poppy12345 said:

There's just a sample of the form here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713118/pip2-how-your-disability-affects-you-form.pdf I'm not sure how looking at the form to see whether you should apply will help though.

Have you actually read any of the links posted above?If you haven't then you need to take some time to read through them all. Then hopefully you can at least have more understanding of what it's all about.

What you wrote above regarding washing up and making/carrying cups of tea tells me striaght away that you have very limited understanding of the descriptors, what they mean and the critieria.

Carrying pots, pans, plates etc around the kitchen is not considered in the descriptors, neither is washing the dishes.

For each activity they will first look at your ability to use an aid, if an aid doesn't help you then you need to explain why it doesn't help. Have you had any accidents while completing the said activities, where were you, who if anyone has seen that accident and the consequences.

I understand that each applicant receives a "personalised" application form -  does this mean that the questions are personalised or is this done to prevent non-writers from using PDF utilities to fill in the form ?

ie) Are the questions asked the sane as those on the PIP2 form on your link ?

As for the reason why I am looking for a pre-application / sight of the form - Clearly, I just want to see whether I feel that I meet the criteria for PIP and I most definately do - as long as I can make my needs clear on the form.

The initial application is by phone (I cannot speak on the phone) - is there no option by email or even face to face ?

Yes, my wife could make the call for me - but she does not know everything that I want to say - she would have to keep putting the call on hold whilst trying to weedle words out of me.

Then there's the form (I cannot write legibly) - ESA50 can done on computer but not this PIP form - I cannot write and feel that I should not have to go to CAB to ask for help.

poppy12345

The intial call to apply is a simple call, they ask your name, DOB, NI number, address, bank details and they may ask the name of your GP. That's all they ask. They will then send you the PIP2 forms. (see link above)

There is also a trial for digital applications but as it's only a trial only certain people have this option. If you're not offered this option, is your wife able to fill out the form for you? For the majority of the form you can type it onto a computer and clearly mark which question it relates to and then give all the information required. On the form write "see additional information"

You can apply by post but this is a much longer process and will only add onto the already huge delays with decisions etc because at the moment the estimated timescale is 10 months from applying to decision.

How to apply, see link. https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

Before you doing anything you need to get some expert advice as advised because otherwise you could be taking a big risk.

Alice_Holt

Deleted_User said:

poppy12345 said:

There's just a sample of the form here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713118/pip2-how-your-disability-affects-you-form.pdf I'm not sure how looking at the form to see whether you should apply will help though.

Have you actually read any of the links posted above?If you haven't then you need to take some time to read through them all. Then hopefully you can at least have more understanding of what it's all about.

What you wrote above regarding washing up and making/carrying cups of tea tells me striaght away that you have very limited understanding of the descriptors, what they mean and the critieria.

Carrying pots, pans, plates etc around the kitchen is not considered in the descriptors, neither is washing the dishes.

For each activity they will first look at your ability to use an aid, if an aid doesn't help you then you need to explain why it doesn't help. Have you had any accidents while completing the said activities, where were you, who if anyone has seen that accident and the consequences.

....Then there's the form.... - I cannot write and feel that I should not have to go to CAB to ask for help.

         Not to seek help with the PIP form would IMO be a mistake.

    We have tried to explain a bit about PIP and supplied you with relevant links, but, even with this, as spoonie has said your comments don't show a great understanding of the PIP criteria. 

    A poor PIP form could well scupper your chances of a PIP award, as assessments can be very variable. You may then be looking at a long MR / appeal wait with no disability award in payment.

   Advice charities face huge demand, so you may struggle to get an appointment with a specialist.  But, not to even try to get help with a possible transition from DLA to PIP could prove unfortunate for you.

[Deleted User]

Alice_Holt said:

Deleted_User said:

poppy12345 said:

There's just a sample of the form here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713118/pip2-how-your-disability-affects-you-form.pdf I'm not sure how looking at the form to see whether you should apply will help though.

Have you actually read any of the links posted above?If you haven't then you need to take some time to read through them all. Then hopefully you can at least have more understanding of what it's all about.

What you wrote above regarding washing up and making/carrying cups of tea tells me striaght away that you have very limited understanding of the descriptors, what they mean and the critieria.

Carrying pots, pans, plates etc around the kitchen is not considered in the descriptors, neither is washing the dishes.

For each activity they will first look at your ability to use an aid, if an aid doesn't help you then you need to explain why it doesn't help. Have you had any accidents while completing the said activities, where were you, who if anyone has seen that accident and the consequences.

....Then there's the form.... - I cannot write and feel that I should not have to go to CAB to ask for help.

         Not to seek help with the PIP form would IMO be a mistake.

    We have tried to explain a bit about PIP and supplied you with relevant links, but, even with this, as spoonie has said your comments don't show a great understanding of the PIP criteria. 

    A poor PIP form could well scupper your chances of a PIP award, as assessments can be very variable. You may then be looking at a long MR / appeal wait with no disability award in payment.

   Advice charities face huge demand, so you may struggle to get an appointment with a specialist.  But, not to even try to get help with a possible transition from DLA to PIP could prove unfortunate for you.

Thanks - I will get help/advice