Hi all, well after 3 years on enhanced rate for both components, so in 2019 review I’ve gone from not entitled to PIP following a f2f!! to standard rate for both components after mandatory consideration. I need enhanced mobility so will appeal,
they’ve used the argument that because I have a valid driving license with no DVLA restrictions, my mental health is such that I can therefore plan a journey/follow a route by myself. I’ve disputed this from the start as I have a lot of social anxiety in relation to falls, not able to cope & adapt to any sudden changes.
Any good arguments I can use back, I’m losing the will with all this stress!
Jx
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Julia10
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Only about 5% win on mandatory reconsideration. However 74% win at tribunal so my advice is to go for it. As others have suggested welfare rights could help you. At present I am going from DLA to PIP and AgeUK have been helping me. If you are aged 50 or over and they have a disability advisor in your area they could also help. The main thing is to stick with facts. My own report contained many inaccurate areas but do not make it personal. IA man I know wrote 17 pages on how bad the nurse was and I feel the important information was lost in the attacks on the nurses competence. Concentrate on the aspects where you believe you should have got points, gather evidence and send it. That the nurse was an idiot is not important. Trying to prove it does not get you an award.
This is happening to many on full motability ,I took my sister to court of appeal,it took 24 months to get a hearing but we won,,they said the same about her ability to drive even though she told them she shares her husbands mobility vehicle..there is sat.nav, abs, no gear change,adjustable seat height, cruise control,,moderncars today can almost go automatic pilot we won stating these facts.
I never know how using a sat nav is planning a journey. Also most of us only go places we know already or have to be. I used to be able to drive 4 hours up and down ok. Now anything over 20-30 mins I get extreme fatigue, certain road bends on motorways make me dizzy and sick. Needless to say no longer drive very far. I have cruise control, drive an auto due to bad knee OA. Get anxious if lost or unsure where going. Like you I fall due to my knee so hate going anywhere on own really. Sometimes dont go out for weeks if off p/t work.
My pip seemed to focus on being able to chop veg. I have to sit to do any cooking and cheat and buy pre prepped stuff. Got as many gadgets and aids as possible to help. It's frustrating for you but keep trying.
What a ridiculous argument! Get help with your appeal from an expert, believe me they have heard it all! That is discriminatory. I have a clean driving licence but my husband drives for me. He needs help with the journey, let alone me or anyone else. Get something from a mental health professional. Don't accept such out of date rubbish.
I was denied part of the mobility, only needed two more points for enhanced because already got 10.
I was judged not to have anxiety or depression, despite being on medication for both because
"I had washed, put my clothes on, albeit with help and time, was casually dressed and wasn't dirty or smelly or unduly uncouth. I was very anxious at the start and needed constant reassurance, but got through it with a few breaks. The patient was tearful at first, but seemed fine afterwards"
My representative went up the wall. Needless to say I got the enhanced after a reconsideration. I was glad I didn't have to go to see them as I would have punched someone, especially if they were dumb enough to send the actual decision makers as happened with DLA once and I was awarded it back ten minutes later. The guy was asked to leave because he was upsetting me.
They come up with any dumb excuse. Don't take it from them. Counter with you always have someone with you who plans and navigation and they do most of the driving. It's a hard one, especially on the social and mental t issues because the government are living in the stone age.
Don't be discouraged. Get help from an advisory place and they can represent you. They know what to counter with.
This is so typical that they bully people who need thier vehicle as it is thier legs essentially so to speak. State you can go to places you know locally and familiar with areas you know and within a short distance and on unfamiliar places you need someone to guide you and reassure you, to help and support you. This is like the DWP stating if you can crack an egg, so the premis is you therfore can make a Michelin Star Baked Pavlova! Say you can do it with Sat Nav as a help but often Sat Nav is not an exacting science and there is often not a signal. there may be a power failure, or you worry about input of right data into the sat nav The database ids not updated with the latest road issues one way systems. Where you will get parking, Often people go into an autonomic piolt mode to familiar places, but going into unfamilar terrortiy you are uncomfortable with, need assistance. By the way you have to score a minium for daily living activites, personal care. The mobility is seperate issues you need to score 12 points and if you at the 14 points level the DWP will try and argue for the extra 2-3 points so you get placed on standard. If you can walk unaided, whilst walking this usually is a death nail. The basics is even with the rethoric by the the Right Dishonourable MP's, and even with Prince Harry saying mental helath is an issue, they really think that mental health is a poor excuse. It is only those that are afflicted by poor mental health that know that sometimes this causes even more pain and effects, hormone levels can surge change , it can affect your ration thinking, memory. It is like oxygen it only becomes important when you are not getting any, it becomes darn important. I wish you well. I get assessed every year and have to fight every year for it. TBH I just got the dreaded DLA to PIP letter myself and when do you think they want to have a face to face? Xmas Eve? I think the DWP is the reincarnation of Scrooge, The ghost of Xmas past, that awful McVie, Present Therasa Coffy, and the ghost of Xmas future is Boris. Notice when MPs lie nothing is said but when a benefit recipient tells them of thier worst day they think you are lying and investigate you 360 dregrees! With threat of Criminal record. I cant beleive the people who voted for Tories. If you are sick, unemployed, disabled the country signed your death warrant! With Boris saying More, you want more.......please Sir.......
Please don't give up! I too was dropped from enhanced to standard, because apparently I appeared in normal mood even though I had a panic attack when the assessor entered my house and was tearful throughout! I didn't gain anything by mandatory reconsideration so I lodged an appeal. 3 weeks after lodging it I had back pay in my account, a letter saying I had enhanced for both and they also added an extra year to my award! So please make sure you appeal. If you can get any extra evidence in the form of a letter from mental health specialist/gp etc send that in too xxx
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