Telephone interview details

All you can do is tell the truth.

Yes of course, but there is one matter that is really worrying me and would be grateful if I could explain.

Because of the downturn in my mobility and MS about ten years ago we made the decision that we needed to move out of the main farmhouse (no we are not farmers just have lots of animals) when I could no longer get up the stairs.

So the decision was made for our eldest daughter and family to move into our house and we had a bungalow built in the garden. This had the added bonus of our daughter being available weekends and evenings (she is a senior tutor in Cambridge by day) to help out and give hubby a rest at times as well as our eldest granddaughter being there to help out with the animals.

However the local planners were very restrictive as we live outside the village and building line and stipulated where the bungalow could be located and the lay of the land meant entry to the bungalow could only be via several steps, they refused any help or allow any deviations on the plans to include ramps........indeed, they suggested we should consider moving to the village and a "more suitable location".

So the steps are my real worry when the assessor visits, obviously I have to get up and down them to be able to reach my wheelchair and /or scooter outside the house and it is always a dreadful effort and takes some time, as a result I rarely leave home.

I guess my real questions is, has anyone else experienced an assessor deciding mobility cannot be an issue if a claimant gets up and down steps to access their home ? I really don't know how to approach the issue as I fear inevitable questions will be asked that may well reflect negatively in the subsequent report.

I have also read on several threads that assessors have incorrectly decided when animals are in homes that it means the applicant is capable of looking after them. We have three dogs and short of hubby locking them in one of the stables on the day of the assessment I fear what conclusions may be drawn by the assessor.

Any thoughts would be really appreciated as it's worrying me silly trying to second guess what may transpire and I have even considered withdrawing my application for PIP. Then an element of common sense reminds me that before this raised it's head I had a lifetime award of high rate DLA and mobility and to withdraw is playing right into the Governments hands. Not to mention losing our car.

B x

Thank you for the reply Gordon and yes indeed hubby deals with the dogs and animals, ably assisted by the grandchildren who are all teenagers so well equipped to help out.

B x

I had my assessment at home. I also have approx 6 steps up to my house.
My assessor did ask if I got out & how. I told him rarely go out as I can't walk hardly anywhere when I get there so no point. Only place I go is the docs & then only if I'm not in too much pain or I cancel it. He asked how I manage to get to my car & down the stairs. I have a rail there and cling to that as I go down very slowly sideways. When I get to the bottom I grab my bins & rest on them before I can get any further, then when I'm ready I grab my car & lean on that as I walk around. I use a stick but said its not of any use to me really. He asked if I go to docs alone, I said never which is true. I'm worn out & in pain before I even step outside my house let
alone the tiny walk to my car. By the time I get to that I'm ready to fall where I need support so I just grab & lean on anything near me.
I was still awarded enhanced for mobility oh & I have a cat which he saw but wasn't bothered in the least about.
Hope its of some help.

Thanks so much for replying Ploppy, it's helpful to hear someone else's experience of a similar situation.

B x