CFS -mobility difficult to explain

How do I explain my energy is so limited if I didnt have the car I would have little life as public transport is too tiring .

Hi anne,

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I presume this is a PIP claim you are asking about?

The mobility component was deliberately made much harder to get than DLA. There are many DLA claimants who are losing out due to the move the PIP.

You will only score points on the mobility section by showing exactly how/why you are unable to reliably perform the activities associated with the descriptors.

Have a look at our PIP guide, it explains the criteria against which you will be assessed and also gives examples of answers to the questions.

PIP help for claimants


May I suggest that you bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future? This will allow you to return with further questions or comments about your PIP without having to start a new topic each time. We ask members to keep everything relating to the same claim in one topic as it helps us enormously - and I hope you will find it useful too

[quote="anne
" post=180240]How do I explain my energy is so limited if I didnt have the car I would have little life as public transport is too tiring .[/quote]

I know exactly what you mean Anne as I also suffer from CFS and received my PIP decision last week and as a result will now lose my car on 14th March, The letter telling me that arrived this morning, Nice start to the day.

I also cannot use public transport and it's not just because it's so tiring, but because I also have other conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Connective Tissue Disease, Polyosteoarthritis, Sjogren's disease and a few others that cause pain, buses and trains are just too painful because they're so bumpy, not to mention all the standing required to wait for the public transport to arrive..

I only lost my chance to carry on with a motability car by TWO measly points! and all because the Decision Maker chose to say that I am able to plan a journey unaided! If only that were true, but it's far from the truth as many family members can tell you. I can't even understand a satnav so going anywhere unfamiliar, I need an actual person with me to tell me the way or read out an AA route planner sheet to me. Mind you,I can't even understand an AA route planner if it's my husband doing the driving, but then if he's driving all I have to do is read it out loud to him and it doesn't matter if I don't understand it

I can only wish you the best of luck that you do get your PIP at the correct rate you deserve. I fear I'm in for a long stressful ride to try and get my decision changed and will be sending off the letter requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration on Monday by which time my husband and I should have been able to get the letter done. I've downloaded the various templates for letters for both the Mandatory Reconsideration AND for an appeal since it seems hardly anybody is getting a revised decision at the MR stage, but I'm ready for the fight

By the way, I've learnt from my motability letter that came this morning, that even if I am successful at being awarded enough points for the enhance mobility rate, I wouldn't be able to re-join the motability scheme for SIX months anyway! Looks like my husband will have to get a towbar on his car for our touring caravan now........fingers crossed it'll be able to lug it ok! According to it's kerbweight, it should but defo won't tow it as easily as my dear S-Max does.....or did

All the best Anne

Thanks. Mrs H. I've read everything. ME fluctuates so much. I know I would have no life without my car. BUT.... I can do a half hour easy walk approx once a week (will suffer for it but worth it and have to rest next day). Does this mean I'm not entitled? Maybe it does. Its so difficult to explain ME. I've just spent four dys in agony with upper back and chest pain and now suddenly its eased. Not gone, just eased. And I wonder how long it will last. Anyway just wanted to moan. Thanks your reply. I have had this for about ten yrs. Got DLA and have now to claim PIP. I am 65. Not easy. Anne

You must be able to perform any descriptor activity reliably, on the majority of days, to be classed as unable to score points.

Anne.

I have similar symptoms and have had for many years. I am about to apply for PIP as well. From what you have said, it sounds like you qualify but are having difficulty in filling out the forms due to fatigue and pain. YOU ARE ENTITLED! If you are saying you cannot take public transport as it is too tiring (same) and would have no life without your car, then you have answered your own question. Also, you have a lot of pain so make sure you include that at every stage of the application. Hang in there and do your best. Follow the guides and the mods. as best as you can.
I got aggressively badgered at an appeal many years ago and was made to say things that were not true due to being too fatigued to battle with them and I have been left without mobility etc. for many years. I will not let that happen if I can help it this time. Best of luck and just do a bit at a time. Cheers honey.