Parent stealing disability benefits from my little sister

F70

easy said:

F70 said:

Does any of the above go against the original PIP claim? 

For example the mother could have lied or exaggerated to get the pip claim in the first place if she was so money obsessed and controlling. 

She may well be more capable than put on the forms thus would have never been entitled in the first place.

Yes,  I'm concerned that - as you say this young lady is able to manage her own money, and is living independently in hall of residence -  I think her PIP claim may have been exaggerated,  and a re-assessment now might lead to a reduced level of payments (although as she isn't receiving any money at all from her mum,  a reduced benefit directly to her is better than a higher benefit paid to her mother).  In particular,  if she doesn't have mobility difficulties, and she is able to plan and make her own journeys on public transport, she won't be entitled to the higher rate mobility component,  so the motability vehicle would be withdrawn straight away. 

That was my point she does seem to be very independent from the posts above.

poppy12345

easy said:

F70 said:

Does any of the above go against the original PIP claim? 

For example the mother could have lied or exaggerated to get the pip claim in the first place if she was so money obsessed and controlling. 

She may well be more capable than put on the forms thus would have never been entitled in the first place.

Yes,  I'm concerned that - as you say this young lady is able to manage her own money, and is living independently in hall of residence -  I think her PIP claim may have been exaggerated,  and a re-assessment now might lead to a reduced level of payments (although as she isn't receiving any money at all from her mum,  a reduced benefit directly to her is better than a higher benefit paid to her mother).  In particular,  if she doesn't have mobility difficulties, and she is able to plan and make her own journeys on public transport, she won't be entitled to the higher rate mobility component,  so the motability vehicle would be withdrawn straight away. 

I have no idea how you can assume this based on several comments from the OP. Who hasn't given no where near enough of information for anyone to "assume" that because the sister attends Uni they are not entitled to PIP. Just because a person can attend a Uni and manage their own money doesn't mean their PIP claim isn't genuine.

It really annoys me when people just assume things when they clearly have no idea. The sister could be having support at Uni and even if they weren't,  PIP isn't awarded based on the help you receive, it's based on the help you need, regardless of whether you receive that help or not.

Enhanced mobility isn't just about following and planning a journey. It's also about "moving around" which takes into consideration physical disabilities.

rajd

it’s a tricky topic and appreciate both sides of the argument. Poppy is correct though in that while I’ve shared much of what we have to celebrate regarding my sister’s self management, what we also have to be aware of is that these things can come at a huge physical, financial and emotional cost compared to if she didn’t have the obstacles she does have getting to those days or seeing them through.

But I also see the point that given that she is extremely honest and identifying that she can buy ready meals and work a Deliveroo app and order an Uber or take the bus on good days, might under the strictest terms disqualify her from the higher levels of PIP and is a very real possibility, I believe those raising this are doing so from a position of not wanting us to lose the benefit, rather than not needing/deserving it. Could the form have been exaggerated by the mother, yes, but she didn’t fill it in. so unless she submitted something different, it’s all honest. 

We’re happy for the next assessment to decide but given the additional support she does get at uni, as well as from us (she has called my wife 3 times a day since starting and has gone home every weekend and has had the same meals everyday), I don’t think much will change. She has a diagnosis which stays with her forever. So for aslong as there is PIP, she will be able to claim it. Also she has money right now in the form of her student loan and a loan from me, but once that dries up, it’s her PIP that needs to help her with stationary, living aids, learning aids, transport, food etc.  

Her needs may change in her new situation and the only person who knows what she needs is her. So getting her control of her own benefits is my priority. 

Disability is unbelievable complicated, the best we can do is be honest and let those affected chose their relationship with it and their environment if they wish. 

Spoonie_Turtle

rajd said:

But I also see the point that given that she is extremely honest and identifying that she can buy ready meals and work a Deliveroo app and order an Uber or take the bus on good days, might under the strictest terms disqualify her from the higher levels of PIP 

No, PIP goes by how a person is for more than half the time.  Out of those examples, only taking the bus is the most relevant to PIP activities - but if she can't do it on more than half the days then it doesn't count as 'being able to do it' anyway.