Anybody lost there mobility because they could walk less 50 meter' s read link below !

[Shadows-walker]

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Second link

[e-mail]

The second link is to member of parliament who is helping us get back our pip,good luck to all that need it xxx

[Shadows-walker]

On May 4, there was a debate in the House of Lords about discussions with Disability Rights UK and the Disability Benefits Consortium on identifying a mobility criterion in the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment framework, which was led by Liberal Democrat Baroness Thomas.

Baroness Thomas of Winchester tabled a Motion to resolve in the House of Lords:

“That this House calls on Her Majesty’s Government to hold urgent talks with Disability Rights UK and the Disability Benefits Consortium to identify a mobility criterion in the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) “moving around” assessment which is fairer than the current 20 metre distance, in the light of the impact on reassessed disabled claimants and the resulting large number of successful appeals.”

She said: “Tabling a Motion is an unusual course to take, but I assure the House that there is nothing fatal about it. However, if it were to be agreed, it would send a powerful message that this House is very concerned about this particular government policy and is taking a constructive approach to seeing what can be done to help the situation.

Why am I so concerned about the “Moving around” section? Because the relevant walking distance test for PIP has been made much harder than the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) test, meaning that by the Government’s own estimate the number of people on enhanced or higher-rate mobility will go down from around 1 million people to 600,000 by 2018.

Some 400 to 500 Motability cars a week are now being handed back by disabled claimants whose condition may not have improved but who are losing not just their car but, in many cases, their independence. Under DLA, the walking distance was 50 metres, which was in the Department for Transport guidance on inclusive mobility. The new distance of 20 metres is just under two London bus lengths, and is unrecognised in any other setting. There is no evidence that it is a sensible distance for the test, and it is not used anywhere else by the Government.

So someone with a walking frame, say, who can just about manage 20 to 30 metres, will not usually qualify for PIP. I see the Minister even now sharpening her pencil to make a note reminding her to tell me that this is a travesty of the truth. No, I have not forgotten the reliability criteria, which were made statutory in the last Parliament—thanks, in fact, to the intervention of the Liberal Democrats. The full reliability criteria in the PIP guidance are that 20 metres must be able to be walked,

“safely … to an acceptable standard …repeatedly … and … in a reasonable time period”.

Baroness Thomas added: “To sum up, to be told that the bill for PIP is too high and must be cut by more than halving the walking distance test is a real slap in the face for thousands of disabled people, particularly those of working age with lifetime awards under DLA. Of course the bill is going up—because the disabled population is going up. The Government must have factored that into their calculations years ago. The last thing that anyone wants is for more and more disabled people to become socially isolated and totally reliant on other services for everything they need. A great deal of money could actually be saved by other government departments, such as health, social services, employment and transport, by making the PIP walking distance fairer. I beg to move.”

There were also some outstanding contributions made in this debate by Baroness Sherlock (Labour), Baroness Grey-Thompson (Cross Bench), Baroness Masham of Ilton (Cross Bench), Lord Low of Dalston (Cross Bench), Baroness Brinton (Liberal Democrat), Baroness Doocey (Lib Dem), Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour), amongst others.

I recommend that you read the debate in full here: Personal Independence Payment: Mobility Criterion.

One very important issue raised in this debate was clarified in a statement made by The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, Baroness Altmann (Conservative). She said:

“I would like to clarify what appears to be a widespread misconception regarding the differences between the mobility assessment in PIP and the mobility assessment in DLA. Many noble Lords have spoken of a “20-metre rule”, but there is no such rule. Some people believe that we have changed the assessment of a distance a claimant is able to walk from 50 metres to 20 metres. This is not the case. The higher rate of DLA was always intended to be for claimants who were unable, or virtually unable, to walk. This is still the case in PIP, but we have gone further.

Under PIP, if a claimant cannot walk up to 20 metres safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner, they are guaranteed to receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component. If a claimant cannot walk up to 50 metres safely, reliably, repeatedly and in a timely manner, then they are guaranteed to receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component. [My bolding]

I can assure the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, that if a claimant is in extreme pain, they will be assessed as not reliably able to walk that distance. The reliability criteria are a key protection for claimants.

It was after my department’s work with the noble Baroness and noble Lords in 2013 that we set out these terms, not just in guidance but in regulations, confirming our commitment to getting this right. If a claimant cannot walk up to 50 metres without such problems, they will still be entitled to the mobility component at the standard rate. If they cannot walk that distance reliably and in the other ways in which we have protected it, they will be entitled to the enhanced rate. Therefore, the enhanced mobility component of PIP goes to those people who are most severely impacted and who struggle to walk without difficulty.”

I co-run advice and support groups for disabled people, and have to say that the majority of accounts of experiences I witness from those going through the PIP assessment process do not tally with Baroness Altmann’s claims.

So, in light of these claims, which were made despite evidence presented during the debate to the contrary, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is gathering further evidence, and she requests that anyone who can walk less then 50 metres and who has lost their PIP, please get in touch with her: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE – Email: [e-mail]

[kayelane in reply to Shadows-walker]

So how many people have lost their enhanced award because of the Dwp's failure to adhere to this ruling. I am for one and was too scared to appeal in case I lost even more point's. Of course now the time allowed for me to appeal has passed.

[Bambamsnan in reply to Shadows-walker]

I am going for my pip assessment next week any advice for me I use a crutch and a wheelchair on my really bad days which are more frequent than my good days thanks in advance

Carol

[Rose54 in reply to Bambamsnan]

Hi

As long as you have more bad days and have to use your wheelchair say 5 days a week and able to walk a short distance the other 2 days of the week you should be ok.

However if it was wheelchair 3 days a week and walk 4 days a week, they would look on it as most of the time you manage .It depends on how far you can walk remember that needs to be without pain.

Also they will ask you to complete a medical assessment to do some exercises which you have the right to refuse. Just say you are unable to do them, as it would cause you too much discomfort obviously that is if it would cause you pain and discomfort.

The best scenario for you on the day would be a bad day ,when you required use of the wheelchair to attended assessment .Hope you have someone to attend with you.

Also take copy of original assessment paperwork with you and refer to if you have it ,as they will be comparing what you rely to their questions on the day to what you put on the assessment form .

If their is anything you forgot or anything you think they need to know write some notes to remind yourself.

[TheAuthor]

Thank you my friend this is absolutely brilliant! I had already read the full transcript on FaceBook but it is good to highlight this to all of the members x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

Ken i noticed this some months ago when i was studying up on the rules, but the full impact of it didnt register . Duh, I can be thick at times.

[Shadows-walker in reply to Hidden]

No you just have fibro 😊

[TheAuthor in reply to Hidden]

I am not surprised that you did not realise straight way, I ended up reading it twice as much of it did not make much sense to me? I was thinking how can you lose benefit for being able to walk less and get benefit for being able to walk more? It is the dreaded fog strikes again! x

[Sorebones]

Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention. It must have taken quite an effort, hope it hasn't had an adverse effect.

I haven't applied for PIP because of the amount of stress it causes. I'm not relying on it financially either. But it has a knock on effect for several things like a blue badge application etc. Our local council say you have to have the higher rate of mobility for PIP for a blue badge, or go for a physical assessment. I was awarded my blue badge. I leave the implication of that with you.

I should really bite the bullet and apply for PIP. If I'm honest the idea scares me. I have enough problems getting my own head round what my body is doing to me without someone else casting doubt on it 🐸

[ailsamary in reply to Sorebones]

I was the same, I had my blue badge for years before I applied for pip. I didn't believe in applying because I was working full time , although after a bus stop moved I got access to work which paid for part of taxi fares.

I am fortunate enough to have been granted higher mobility

[Hidden in reply to Sorebones]

I have reaplied to see if i can get my enhanced mobility back. Welfare rights are helping this time.

[CreakyBea in reply to Sorebones]

Hi Sorebones

Me too - tried to get Blue Badge even with GP support letter but because have never applied for DLA/PIP was declined few years ago and have felt too anxious to repeat...so get you when u say its hard to mentally get thoughts together to submit applications when u r too fuzzy in the head and sore in your bones!

[_Esined_ in reply to CreakyBea]

I got my badge, before applying for PIP! That's weird, no?

[Lima6MCT]

Anyone completing their PIP form needs to clarify every answer they give. If you are in pain/severe pain on walking then you need to make that clear on the form - I made the mistake on my DLA form of saying for mobility I was in constant pain& I was given LRM but after realising my mistake, I contacted DWP for reconsideration and emphasised that although I was in constant pain the act of walking made the pain worse - and received HRM on appeal.

Blue Badges - if you receive PIP at Standard Rate 20-50m (10 points) you should also qualify for one.

[Lima6MCT]

Just tried the facebook link but am being told the page isn't available. Is there another link please?

[_Esined_ in reply to Lima6MCT]

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2...

[ukmsmi4]

Thanks for posting this. I knew about it but hadn't seen any sort of transcript or anything so good to read.

Especially as I have just started the process of applying for PIP. My stomach is churning at the thought of it now and I haven't even received the form yet!

Gentle hugs, Margaret.xx

[healthygenes]

I read an article yesterday on page 23 Thursdays Mail May 12th. It says illnesses meriting enhanced mobility payments are most commonly,arthritis,and diseases of the musles,bones and joints,but myriad conditions open up the possibility of Motability including chronic fatigue syndrome,drug addiction and alcoholism, which brings me to, someone who takes a friends dog out walking,he walks for miles,he has just been awarded full mobility,I could not beleive the hoops people on this forum have had to jump through the worry,stress,and all they really have to be is one of the above in other words walking has nothing to do with it. Don't get me wrong everyone to their own,but if this upsets a few people on this forum I would not be surprised or blame them,you can be crippled with pain,life blighted by certain ongoing conditions, having all kinds of problems,even some trying to earn a living,god bless them! But if you can struggle a few yards your out!!! However if you can run a mile, walk for hours,drink and do drugs your OK!!! Absolutely Bonkers. Bless you all.

[ailsamary in reply to healthygenes]

I have an 'aquantance' like that. She does have fibro, but is won't to tell people that there are far worse things, and to get on with it, I have seen her walk good distances with no problem, far more than 50 metres, but she has full mobility

[healthygenes]

By the way if you have got 8 points with mobility (lower rate)you still qualify for a blue badge and half your car tax,so not all bad,if you also get 8 points and your blue badge has got a good while to run (say 2yrs) on it then you don't have to send it back until it runs out, worth checking for anyone who is worried about it.

[healthygenes]

ME AGAIN,JUST SOME ADVISE FOR BAMBAMSNAN AND THE OTHER LADY GOING FOR PIP. (SORRY BRAIN FOG AGAIN) Don't tell them you don't go out much, and also,don't tell them you use a shopping trolly,because I think they used that aagainst me,that's why I lost my high mobility,I acctually only go outa couple of days a week which is the truth,but I think then they thought well you only need a lift twice a week,iI said I was ok with a shopping trolly,so I can walk aided,I'm happy with what I got because I got the high rate care,so I didn't lose out money wise,but anyone desperate for a car don't be rushed into saying something you may later regret,in fact the least you say the better,because they don't want to be your freind they want to take your cash from you.best of luck to both of you.

[CreakyBea]

Well...was raised to be truthful (RC) but it does seem to not score as many points....cannot believe that someone who can walk miles and with/without dog, can get the high mobility element...suppose I should just go for it and fill out a form...

Happy Saturday All!

[Annunnaki]

Sweetie, It says page expired or no authorisation to view. Any hope of you messaging it to me instead please when you get a chance. <3

Thanks.

Blessings.

[_Esined_ in reply to Annunnaki]

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2...

[Annunnaki in reply to _Esined_]

Thank you. Got it. <3

Blessings.