hello there. I’m looking for some thoughts regarding PIP. I will be 65 in January 24. In 2012 I had my left lung removed as a result of lung cancer. Ergo I now have 50 % less breathing capacity. I was retired early and had my pension was released. At that time I applied for DLA, and received the higher rate mobility. On Indefinite basis. Since then I have never been contacted by DWP to apply for both components, or anything else. I now have very severe emphysema in my remaining lung. I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, brittle bones, and in the last two years I was refused surgery on my spine. This decision was made by the consultant anaesthetic as I weighed less than 6 stones, and still do, and I was deemed way to fragile to have a general anaesthetic and would have 12x6 pain injections. I have Osteoporosis in both hips, osteomalacia-adult rickets. In general I am very poorly and have had to rely on my lovely husband to do everything. I have had ongoing surgery on both arms and wrists, and am due further surgery. I suffer with constant sciatica in both sides, and take tramadol and co-codamol 30/500.
I have a Motability vehicle that due to my wrists I can no longer drive, and the range of normal adult tasks I can no longer do is growing by the day. My question is this:
Should I bite the bullet and apply ? Will my medical issues put me at risk of being turned down for PIP ? My local council removed my bath and installed a lovely level wet room, as it was clear I could no longer get in and out of the bath.
I’m frightened to apply and frightened to not apply. Sorry for this long post.
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hbowling
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You say your on DLA at the higher rate and that is the old name for PIP so I'm confused what is the what extra benefit you can get as you can't get DLA and PIP its one or other and is age related too. If your on an indefinite award at the higher rate to get a mobility vehicle allowance it would probably not be a good idea to try for Attendance Allowance if your over Pension age because AA has no mobility allowance made. But you may have no choice if the entitlement to DLA stops at 65 or shortly thereafter. So you might loose the car mobility allowance anyway. I think you should go back to the DWP and ask what other benefits can you access ? if you're on the lower rate it may well be different but you need proper advice so DWP or CAB or a Welfare Right Office, and don't risk an existing benefit like the car because it is a fact that your claim will be reviewed anyway, the amounts are similar excluding the Mobility issue and its not a together with but either or situation. The Government had I believe ruled that claimants don't need to change to PIP or AA but an indefinite claim continues so be careful ! If I were you I'd stick not twist ?? but get proper advice as your claim changes because of age. The forms will be similar and I'd have thought given your circumstances that it will be pretty straightforward but again please get qualified advice.
Thank you for this. When I applied for DLA in 2012, I was Awarded just the mobility component and at that time I was told that I would need to be reassessed for care components when they call me. My question is simply should I apply for the new PIP, as they still haven’t called me to apply, and in my area postcode they have done several thousand claimants.and then stopped 4 years ago.So if they don’t contact me will I be able to claim for the care component as well. ? Or what. I do think you are right Medway -Lady, I think I will stick. This debate has been going on in my head for a long time, and leaves me feeling a bit powerless. But just having such a lovely and helpful reply is really very nice. Thank you for taking time to reply
In the light of only getting the mobility component then it may well stop after 65 as people over 65 can't get it on AA. You are in a fairly straightforward situation and it will be AA not PIP unless you apply now under 65 even then its an age related change and will probably be directed to AA. The problem might be that you don't get the care element I think go to DWP and clarify the situation as I don't think you can get PIP it must go to AA after 65 but there are circumstances when if your awarded PIP then it carries on after 65. But the form really isn't hard to do and it should not be difficult to complete. I'm shocked that you did not get the care award so please do talk to the CAB and would strongly urge you to think " benefits are not a charity they are a right in some circumstances when help is needed". I'd say get proper professional advice although in your circumstances it would seem to be pretty straightforward but these things never are and NO one can say anyone will qualify for any benefit. AA is not an income based benefit so your pensions state or private are not taken into account but it has no mobility element. It may well be you must apply but they should send you a form or some sort of notification of a benefit change based on your change of circumstances which is your birthday. You could consider applying for PIP under special circumstances the worsening of your health because you didn't qualify for the care element originally. Don't be frightened of the AA application it took me about 25 minutes and it was granted without any interview at all. If you have any worries then I urge you to look at Directgov uk as well and I'm sure that's the NRAS has a helpline and does the British Lung Foundation offer advice too ? I cannot say you will get AA but it would seem likely. xx
Thank you so much for your really helpful response to my question. It’s all such a mine field out there, and it’s lovely people like yourself who really take time to support others like myself. Again I appreciate your experience and information Ajay 575.
Hello there, on the basis of there being a change in your symptoms, if I were you I would apply as the DWP, does ask you to do this for any change. Doesnt matter if it is a change financially, or in your housing circumstances, or any mental or physical change. I would also strongly advise you to get in touch with Welfare Rights. They have supported me greatly as regards to the DWP, they supported me by filling in my answers on the claim form, using my words. Should you have to appeal any decision made, they can also attend an appeal with you and are a great emotional support. I hope this helps and good luck.
You should phone DLA 0800 121 4600 and tell them your needs have changed. They will send a change of circumstances form to you and any award will be backdated to the date of the phone call. You will be moved over to PIP (England) or ADP (Scotland). I note Ajay 575 says cab don't represent clients at tribunals now, but they do in Scotland, I don't know about England, but from what you have said I doubt you will need an appeal. Please get help from cab/welfare rights etc to fill in the form, while he is right about the 20metres, it is more complicated - can you repeat it, does it cause pain/stress/breathlessness etc. do you have to rest, use an aid, need help?
I would definitely put your application in on the basis of what you have already said you are probably eligible for higher rate of both Activities of Daily Living and Mobility components. The only issue is you may have a long wait for the decision.
As I’m currently still waiting for a decision on an increase/ reassessment which was submitted in February 23.
Finally my last piece of advice was be prepared to have to appeal as I’ve heard from a fair few people that qualify for PIP that got turned down on first application.
I’d just add, I work as a welfare rights adviser, and we see quite a few people who have not been “invited” to claim PIP and DWP say the process is currently paused.
Thank you Nuthatch for this. People on this community have been so lovely and very generous with their time and information. I didn’t know people in my circumstances are paused. I’m glad you told me as I was considering ringing them next week.
Many thanks to you and all the others who have sent information and their own experiences.
Ooh sorry I’ve misled you - it’s just the invites from PIP that are paused, you can still “self select” as they call it - just ring up and make a claim. Your DLA will continue until the day before a PIP award starts provided you return the PIP2 “How your disability affects you” form within the time limit, which is a month but they are generally very happy to agree extensions to that. Good luck!
I’d add to those who say try and get advice from a competent adviser (local authority welfare rights or paid Citizens Advice worker if possible). PIP takes account of use of aids and adaptations which DLA does not so if you need to use these you should score points on the daily living test. You need the full 12 points on the moving around activity to continue to qualify for Motability. If you can spare around £20 and don’t mind a lot of reading have a look at the guides on Benefits and Work (website). They are comprehensive and very helpful and will take account of all the twiddly bits that can be forgotten, such as the requirement that in order to carry out an activity you must be able to do it safely, reliably, to an appropriate standard and repeat as often as is reasonable for that particular activity. If your condition varies so you have better and worse days you need to explain this and how you are affected. If you use the term good days, PIP assessors tend to assume you are completely fine on those days which is very rarely the case.. don’t complete the form as if on your worst day! It’s a pernicious and oft repeated myth. It’s also worth remembering that if you wait to be invited to claim PIP (but this is paused at the moment) you can still qualify for the enhanced mobility component after pension age.
I’m a welfare rights adviser in a specialist local authority team btw.
hi…firstly so sorry that you are battling with numerous conditions…..you are certainly a warrior. Definitely apply. Even get help filling form in with person at Citizens Advice. You deserve help. Gentle hugs
I've just checked on line as you have DLA at 65 you can only claim PIP if under 65. You can claim attendance Allowance there's a lower and higher rate. I would ring Citizens Advice and see if they can help. Hope you get what you're looking for x
As someone has said above, if you have DLA or PIP before pension age you stay on it after pension age as long as you continue to satisfy the conditions. Those on DLA now who were born after 6/4/48 should be invited to claim PIP (most have been but there are still quite a few on DLA), this is currently paused but you can choose to claim PIP. Always worth getting advice if possible in case you may be worse off but the OP is very unlikely to be given what she says. Attendance Allowance is for those making a completely new claim after pension age, which is 66.
More infoyou were born on or before 8 April 1948, you'll continue to get DLA as long as you're eligible for it. If you were born after 8 April 1948, your DLA will end. You'll get a letter telling you when that will happen.
I think you may be thinking of specialist services such as "help to claim" where workers provide online and telephone advice only. CAS is also a network of independent bureaux, mainly staffed by volunteers. Why not have look at citizensadvice.org.uk/scotl...
Believe me, CAB bureaux do challenge dwp and ssscotland! I'd also point out that advice and support can be offered, but people don't always accept and act on it
oh dear, I take it you have had a bad experience which I know does happen. As a trustee and volunteer with a bureau I really don't recognise your assessment of the cab network or the idea that we are "gagged"
Hi you need proper advice with you getting DLA you don't want to lose that. Citizens advice were brilliant with me they know everything and what to do. Also Welfare rights I think are good, you need sound advice. Also there's a really good private Facebook group sorry I can't remember the name.
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