Copd

Unfortunately, some GPs refuse to give letters of support as a matter of principle, no matter what condition the patient has Others genuinely believe that the DWP will write to them for their opinion without the patient needing to do anything.

Hi all.

When I was having this problem I phoned and wrote to the DWP , Atos, who both wanted to asses my illness, they also informed me, the they no longer contacted your GP, with this I told my doctor who promptly wrote a letter for me, at a cost of £20, I made three copies and sent them in.
Within a week I was put into the ESA support group without a medical assessment and awarded 15 points for mobility. Although i have been refused pip and only awarded 4 points mobility, 2 points needing help to cook, I am now compiling my summery and all medical reports for my tribunal in two weeks, along with another letter from my doctor.
All I can say is do not wait for the DWP or ATOS to contact your doctor, do it yourself, your doctor is obliged to give you a letter stating your illness and medical history, but you will have to pay for this, make copies and send it in to the DWP,

Good luck. Mick R

Mick R wrote: Hi all.

When I was having this problem I phoned and wrote to the DWP , Atos, who both wanted to asses my illness, they also informed me, the they no longer contacted your GP, with this I told my doctor who promptly wrote a letter for me, at a cost of £20, I made three copies and sent them in.
Within a week I was put into the ESA support group without a medical assessment and awarded 15 points for mobility. Although i have been refused pip and only awarded 4 points mobility, 2 points needing help to cook, I am now compiling my summery and all medical reports for my tribunal in two weeks, along with another letter from my doctor.
All I can say is do not wait for the DWP or ATOS to contact your doctor, do it yourself, your doctor is obliged to give you a letter stating your illness and medical history, but you will have to pay for this, make copies and send it in to the DWP,

Good luck. Mick R

Hi MR,

Being placed into the SG under the "Mobilising" Activity (which is not points based) should be a good indication that at least a Standard Rate PIP Mobility Award may be appropriate under the PIP "Moving Around" Activity.

e.g. :

ESA SG "Mobilising" Activity :

"1. Mobilising unaided by another person with or without a walking stick, manual wheelchair or other aid if such aid is normally or could reasonably be worn or used."

Descriptors :

"1 Cannot either:

(a) mobilise more than 50 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion; or

(b) repeatedly mobilise 50 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion."


&


PIP "Moving Around" Descriptor c. or d. may be appropriate, and you only need 8 points for a Standard Mobility Award :

"2. Moving around.

a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points.

b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points.

c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points.

d. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points.

e. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points.

f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, –
(i) stand;
or
(ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points."

Of course, if you can show that you can't walk no more than 20 metres "Reliably" for the majority of the time that would give you 12 Points and an Enhanced Award.

The ESA "Mobilising" Activity assesses your ability to walk aided or unaided as well as your ability to self propel a manual wheelchair unaided.

The PIP "Moving Around" Activity only assesses you ability to walk, aided or unaided.

I am afraid that you are incorrect, your G.P. or any other treating HCP are not contractually obliged to provide patients with reports or letters of support, even if the patient offers to pay.

In fact, many G.P.'s point blank refuse and you can do little about it.

However, you are legally entitled to obtain copies of your G.P./Medical Records though.

As you rightly state, DWP/ATOS/Capita/Maximus will seldom contact your G.P, even if you request that they do.

They are not legally obliged to do so, and with ESA only do so with around a quarter of ESA claimants.

This is why we always advise that members should try and obtain their own medical evidence and send copy with The ESA50/PIP 2 Form.

bro58

Hi all.
Well had my tribunal yesterday morning and not to put anyone off going through one, an experience I hope never to repeat , even if my condition does become worse. Anyway thanks to the help from this site I have received the standard rate of pip for my ( copd ) on both counts. 8 points mobility , moving around, also 8 points , for using aids and help around the home.
To all using this sight, fight on!

Once again. Thanks to this site and the moderators...

Mick R wrote: Hi all.
Well had my tribunal yesterday morning and not to put anyone off going through one, an experience I hope never to repeat , even if my condition does become worse. Anyway thanks to the help from this site I have received the standard rate of pip for my ( copd ) on both counts. 8 points mobility , moving around, also 8 points , for using aids and help around the home.
To all using this sight, fight on!

Once again. Thanks to this site and the moderators...

Hi MR,

Congratulations on The Standard PIP Awards for "both" !!

Thanks for letting us know and for your positive feedback regarding all at B&W !!

Now that you have a Standard Daily Living (DL) Award, if you can pass the means test for payment of IR ESA you may also be entitled to The Severe Disability Premium (SDP) as an : IR ESA Premiums top up to your current ESA payments

See also : 24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

You would be entitled to back payment of the SDP from the active date of the PIP DL Award which should be the date of the original adverse PIP decision that you appealed.

If you are already receiving IR ESA, it should just be a matter of you filling in an IS10 Form.

If you are not currently receiving IR ESA you will need to fill in an ESA 3 Form.

Further, if your Standard PIP Mobility award was given for your walking limitations "Moving Around" that entitles you to a Blue Badge and a 50% reduction in Car Road Tax :

See : Here. and just over half way down : This Page.

Under the heading : Vehicle tax reduction.

bro58

That's great news Mick! Thanks for letting us know and for your kind words about B+W