PIP Reassessment Time Scales

Spoonie_Turtle

The dosette box depends on whether you need it or not under PIP' definition of 'need'.

It should score a point if it's to help you remember what to take and/or whether you've taken it - if you need it in order to consistently take the right medication at the right time.

If it's for convenience then it doesn't score.

Starbright2

I wrote:

Managing treatments Do you need help?

Yes

I need to use a pill caddy which has a section for every day of the week. Once a week I sit and then fill it up then put it by the sink so I remember to take them after meals. If I didn't have it I would forget to take them. I would also not know if I took the right amount of each medication at the right time if they were in the packets they came in. I have to put on my diary every 4 weeks to reorder my repeat prescriptions if I didn't I would not order them and run out of them. That's why I need them and need them every day. I struggle with new box's of pills I have to use scissors to cut the box's open due to my weak hands because of XX illness. This has been going on for years.

Is it just me or are pill manufacturers now putting some kind of clear thicker/stronger tape on both ends of the boxes of pills?!

Robbie64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82138913#Comment_82138913

Looking back at the comments made by the Case Manager / Decision Maker when my PIP claim was last reviewed on a paper based assessment back in 2022, the DM / CM made the following comment about my mention of using a dosette box:

"There is no evidence of cognitive impairment, claimant reported that he can take his medication fro a Dossette box due to the amounts. Claimant did not report any assistance with this activity". The decision notice stated "I decided you can either manage medication or therapy or or monitor your health condition unaided, or you do not need to" plus added in the next paragraph "Although you reported using a Dossette box to manage your medication, you did not report needing assistance and there is no evidence of cognitive impairment".

I scored 0 points but as my PIP score was 10 points I didn't push for an extra point as it would have been a waste of time. I didn't agree with the 0 point awarded but didn't push for it to be revised. My guess is that SB2 has probably been knocked back for the same reason as myself, that it is myself that fills the dosette box.

I got all the comments made by the DM/CM by a subject access request. It helps fill in the blanks as it follows the same structure that a PA3 report would have done when completed by a health care professional on a paper based assessment by a health assessment company.

Starbright2

I think you are right @Robbie64 it's because it is me who filled the box. it is my choice to do that so I don't miss medication or take the wrong dose. If I don't use a pill caddy ironically I would score points because I wouldn't take the right medication at the right time

Edit to say: I have the mental capacity to see there's a problem & have solved it even though I'm forgetful due to some of my illnesses

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82138980#Comment_82138980

Clearly you need the box to manage your medication, which is b(i) also you said you have email reminder to order meds, that would be either be classed as an alarm under b(i) or prompting under b(ii) if without it you would forget to order them.

Case law is on your side,

Although judge May rules that a biscuit tin wasn't an aid, the judge helpfully gave examples of what is are aids and dosette boxes & alarms are.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82138997#Comment_82138997

I had much the same, I never scored a point for a dosette box at first, but in my last review I did.
1 Point: an aid or appliance to manage your medication. (that passage taken from my decision letter) to me clearly it will be an aid to manage my medication

Starbright2

Oh Looks like I have a decision to make now then. I know that it would be another £37.90 a week I don't think you get anything else now with U/C on legacy you used to get a premium I think.

But I also risk everything else decided on being changed lower as well as higher.

Spoonie_Turtle

(I scored due to needing a dosette box, alarms, and a person verbally checking; but I still am able to fill my box myself.) But I don't think you have anything to lose by pursuing it. If the MR remains unchanged then you can decide again at that stage whether to take it to tribunal.

I would say if your forgetfulness is due to or exacerbated by any of your conditions or symptoms (e.g. pain), or your executive functioning is taken up by daily living and medications on top are more than you can process/remember, then you have more of a case.

You may also wish to explain that being able to fill the box at a time of your choosing as an infrequent, discrete activity is not the same as remembering every day at the right time(s); spell out to them why you can do one but not the other.