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DO I REQUEST EARLY OR WAIT FOR DVLA TO PIP CALL?
- Chris
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7 years 4 months ago #176161 by Chris
DO I REQUEST EARLY OR WAIT FOR DVLA TO PIP CALL? was created by Chris
Hi everyone, I live in the Sheffield area and I have been claiming DLA for the higher mobility for approx 25years firstly for M.S. relapse and remission then Osteo and finally Rheumatoid Arthritis which I was diagnosed with about 5 years ago although it was mistaken for MS for a further few years! I am now 65 years of age.
My health and mobility have both become so poor over the years that I really have limited use in both my hips legs and feet and also one of my arms from 2 rotator cuff operations that failed. Also including RA & Osteo arthritis in my very stiff painful neck & lower spine which means that for several years I have wanted to apply for the CARE component of DLA but was too 'frightened' too in case my DLA was taken off me even though my GP/Cons & Physio's can all vouch for this. I cannot get in/out of a bath and even a shower I need assistance because of a previous TKR 11 years ago and a 3 fusion of my foot 2 years ago and at this moment in time actually early January I am having further bilateral foot surgery before a new TKR can be done on the other leg! I cannot carry bags because of all the pain.
What I am actually asking for is advice on whether to approach PIP first and ask for a home visit to see how I struggle with stairs etc/ or office visit OR wait for them to contact me?
Its the actual waiting for the dreaded brown letter or phone call to arrive which is so worrying and because the sun is very beneficial to me my partner has bought a small bungalow abroad which we like to visit for a month or so at a time to benefit from the warmer weather!
I also was started on a new Biological drug from my RH Clinic because I am having constant flare ups. I am just so unsure what to do wait or approach them (which my partner is against in case they take my allowance of me). It is so worrying not knowing.
Sorry this so long, but any suggestions help and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
CB
My health and mobility have both become so poor over the years that I really have limited use in both my hips legs and feet and also one of my arms from 2 rotator cuff operations that failed. Also including RA & Osteo arthritis in my very stiff painful neck & lower spine which means that for several years I have wanted to apply for the CARE component of DLA but was too 'frightened' too in case my DLA was taken off me even though my GP/Cons & Physio's can all vouch for this. I cannot get in/out of a bath and even a shower I need assistance because of a previous TKR 11 years ago and a 3 fusion of my foot 2 years ago and at this moment in time actually early January I am having further bilateral foot surgery before a new TKR can be done on the other leg! I cannot carry bags because of all the pain.
What I am actually asking for is advice on whether to approach PIP first and ask for a home visit to see how I struggle with stairs etc/ or office visit OR wait for them to contact me?
Its the actual waiting for the dreaded brown letter or phone call to arrive which is so worrying and because the sun is very beneficial to me my partner has bought a small bungalow abroad which we like to visit for a month or so at a time to benefit from the warmer weather!
I also was started on a new Biological drug from my RH Clinic because I am having constant flare ups. I am just so unsure what to do wait or approach them (which my partner is against in case they take my allowance of me). It is so worrying not knowing.
Sorry this so long, but any suggestions help and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
CB
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- Gordon
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7 years 4 months ago #176193 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic DO I REQUEST EARLY OR WAIT FOR DVLA TO PIP CALL?
CB
Welcome to the forum.
In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ
My full name is showing, how can I stop it?
This is a decision that only you can make. Claimants are being chosen at random to be invited to claim PIP, your letter could arrive tomorrow or in two yeas time.
It's important to understand that the assessment criteria for PIP is very different from what it was for DLA and the benefit has been engineered to be more difficult to be awarded. The aim is to reduce the disability budget by at least 20% so a lot of DLA claimants are receiving reduced awards or even no award at all after transfer.
That said, the change in criteria suits some claimants problems better and their awards have been increased.
So, you need to look at the PIP criteria (see the PIP Claim guide on the following link) to see what you might score, you need to be very strict with your marking as those assessing you will be and take the Descriptors as written, do not try and apply your own interpretation as this almost always leads to a loss of points.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
If you think that you would receive the same award or a higher one then you can self-select to make a claim for PIP, but again be aware, once you have started this process, you cannot withdraw your PIP claim and the Decision on that claim, good or bad will result in your DLA claim being closed. There is no way to retain your DLA claim or to go back to it once a PIP claim has been started.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum.
In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ
My full name is showing, how can I stop it?
This is a decision that only you can make. Claimants are being chosen at random to be invited to claim PIP, your letter could arrive tomorrow or in two yeas time.
It's important to understand that the assessment criteria for PIP is very different from what it was for DLA and the benefit has been engineered to be more difficult to be awarded. The aim is to reduce the disability budget by at least 20% so a lot of DLA claimants are receiving reduced awards or even no award at all after transfer.
That said, the change in criteria suits some claimants problems better and their awards have been increased.
So, you need to look at the PIP criteria (see the PIP Claim guide on the following link) to see what you might score, you need to be very strict with your marking as those assessing you will be and take the Descriptors as written, do not try and apply your own interpretation as this almost always leads to a loss of points.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
If you think that you would receive the same award or a higher one then you can self-select to make a claim for PIP, but again be aware, once you have started this process, you cannot withdraw your PIP claim and the Decision on that claim, good or bad will result in your DLA claim being closed. There is no way to retain your DLA claim or to go back to it once a PIP claim has been started.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Chris
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