PIP MR was rejected - Looking for some advice.

SaitenMar

Hello folks. So I need some help and advice. I recently had a PIP review and whilst I the component for daily living remained the same for me, I wasn't awarded anything for mobility. Having felt like this assessment was incorrect I decided to do a mandatory reconsideration and made it clear in the MR form why I felt like the points awarded were incorrect. I stated that I can only walk about 10 - 15 metres before I experience pain and discomfort, and that I can not do so repeatingly without risking myself harm. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and ankles which heavily limits my mobility and I believe the points I was awarded for the mobility component were inaccurate. Well, I got my letter back and my MR was rejected and I was awarded 4 points because they claim I can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres either aided or unaided. I disagree with this assessment. Strangely, I never had a health assessment for this PIP review and in the response they provided they informed me that because because I stated multiple statements were incorrect, I would need to speak with IAS Healthcare if I want to take this matter further. I have no idea who IAS Healthcare are and have spoken to no one in this PIP review process so that left me baffled. In the decision page they don't really give me a proper reason for rejecting my claim for mobility which only leaves me more confused. 

But I'm concerned about taking this further because I worry that if I take it to a tribunal I could possibly lose the daily living component of PIP as well. Plus I had to go to tribunal to get that, which was an awful experience that left me feeling so low and depressed, I don't know if I can put myself through that again. I don't mind admitting that the tribunal process was one of the most difficult experiences of my life and I'm not sure I mentally and physically have it in myself to do it. I have been urged to go for the PIP mobility component due to my physical limitations, because I genuinely think it could help me. For example I was told that I could get a disability badge if I was on PIP mobility by an advisor which would come in useful so I wouldn't have to travel so far and I know there are other services which could help me if I could get mobility. 

I have a month to appeal and take it to tribunal but I'm just not sure I can go through all that again. I apologise for the long post but I'm looking for some advice on what I might do next. Do I take it to tribunal (and risk losing it all) or just leave it and accept what I've got, even if I don't agree with it. The tribunal process is so intimidating and whilst I did win my claim previously to some degree, I didn't want to put myself through that again. 

Thanks. 

peteuk

Do you drive?  (Please dont shout me down - its wrong I know but it was the way I was taught) 

Did you ask for the report which should explain the reason behind more than 50 and no more than 200m?  

Is it both knees/ankles, are you on medication or under a specialist? NB these are rhetorical questions, please dont feel you have to answer them. 

If you drive a manual car, it can be taken as you have good range of movement and strength within the lower limb and knee/ankles. 

Just something to further contemplate. 

chrisw

Although higher rate mobility automatically makes you eligible for a blue badge, it's not absolutely necessary and not everyone with a blue badge claims PIP. You have to convince your local authority of your mobility issues.

born_again

SaitenMar said:

Hello folks. So I need some help and advice. I recently had a PIP review and whilst I the component for daily living remained the same for me, I wasn't awarded anything for mobility. Having felt like this assessment was incorrect I decided to do a mandatory reconsideration and made it clear in the MR form why I felt like the points awarded were incorrect. I stated that I can only walk about 10 - 15 metres before I experience pain and discomfort, and that I can not do so repeatingly without risking myself harm. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and ankles which heavily limits my mobility and I believe the points I was awarded for the mobility component were inaccurate. Well, I got my letter back and my MR was rejected and I was awarded 4 points because they claim I can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres either aided or unaided. I disagree with this assessment. Strangely, I never had a health assessment for this PIP review and in the response they provided they informed me that because because I stated multiple statements were incorrect, I would need to speak with IAS Healthcare if I want to take this matter further. I have no idea who IAS Healthcare are and have spoken to no one in this PIP review process so that left me baffled. In the decision page they don't really give me a proper reason for rejecting my claim for mobility which only leaves me more confused. 

But I'm concerned about taking this further because I worry that if I take it to a tribunal I could possibly lose the daily living component of PIP as well. Plus I had to go to tribunal to get that, which was an awful experience that left me feeling so low and depressed, I don't know if I can put myself through that again. I don't mind admitting that the tribunal process was one of the most difficult experiences of my life and I'm not sure I mentally and physically have it in myself to do it. I have been urged to go for the PIP mobility component due to my physical limitations, because I genuinely think it could help me. For example I was told that I could get a disability badge if I was on PIP mobility by an advisor which would come in useful so I wouldn't have to travel so far and I know there are other services which could help me if I could get mobility. 

I have a month to appeal and take it to tribunal but I'm just not sure I can go through all that again. I apologise for the long post but I'm looking for some advice on what I might do next. Do I take it to tribunal (and risk losing it all) or just leave it and accept what I've got, even if I don't agree with it. The tribunal process is so intimidating and whilst I did win my claim previously to some degree, I didn't want to put myself through that again. 

Thanks. 

So to take a step back, was this a paper assessment?

IAS Healthcare would be the provider that PIP has passed your case to, to complete the assessment. There should have been something that was detailed in the contact details provided to you.

Indie_Kid

Do you have evidence that you can only walk 10-15 metres? 

Muttleythefrog

As above... evidence might be key here. Did you previously have the mobility component.. if so make sure you have their assessment report that probably recommended that... it may have some value especially if it was an in person assessment and this time it was paper based with someone who has never encountered you.

PennysIntoPounds

From my limited understanding, PIP assessments take into consideration your GP's files so if you haven't been for a while it may be worthwhile to make an appointment and have your records updated with your current health limitations.
Doctors can't advise about the PIP process but they can make sure it's documented that you have these issues. Even though they can't advise, don't be shy about saying you're there because you need your genuine health problems spelled out on your current records so you can access the support you need.
Good luck with it, I know it's a horrible process 

rosewalk

I would advise that if possible you contact your local CAB, Welfare Rights Unit and seek advice. In my area the local CAB has an appeals specialist and part of their role is to look at how likely it is that a  PIP appeal will succeed. It can be difficult to decide whether to appeal if this might put your existing award in danger. How many points were you awarded for the Daily Living Component? I have helped a couple of people recently with PIP Reviews and they has been assessed on paper and their award has been unchanged. In one case it was clear that they should have been awarded the mobility component but weren't. What evidence did you provide about your mobility when you submitted your review form? Is there more evidence that you could provide?   

SaitenMar

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking through them now. 

SaitenMar

peteuk said:

Do you drive?  (Please dont shout me down - its wrong I know but it was the way I was taught) 

Did you ask for the report which should explain the reason behind more than 50 and no more than 200m?  

Is it both knees/ankles, are you on medication or under a specialist? NB these are rhetorical questions, please dont feel you have to answer them. 

If you drive a manual car, it can be taken as you have good range of movement and strength within the lower limb and knee/ankles. 

Just something to further contemplate. 

No I don't drive. I have the the paragraph they wrote in the rejection letter but it doesn't really give a reason for giving me 4 points which is 50 to 200 metres. Is the report a separate thing you can ask for? I recall that when I last went to tribunal I was sent a bunch of information with a report included. 

I'm on medication for my condition and under a specialist. It's in both knees and ankles. Thanks. 

SaitenMar

chrisw said:

Although higher rate mobility automatically makes you eligible for a blue badge, it's not absolutely necessary and not everyone with a blue badge claims PIP. You have to convince your local authority of your mobility issues.

I didn't know that. I've had people advise me to get a blue badge but I always thought you needed to get at least standard mobility to be eligible for one.