Incorrect descriptors chosen by HP

Hi just wanted some advice with regard to my PIP award. I had a very positive outcome being awarded enhanced rate for both daily living and mobility.

I had a home assessment as I was just out of hospital following further spinal surgery. However, going through the letter the HP has stated that I need assistance to wash between shoulders and waist.

Yet on my form and as stated at f2f with my carer present, I actually have to be washed from head to toe due to spinal mobility issues. Additionally she stated I only need assistance to dress upper body when I need full assistance.

I scored only 4 points for needing supervision and assistance to prepare food...it was clearly expounded on my PIP2 form that I cannot stand to prepare a meal as I require both hands to use my crutches as cannot stand unaided nor use a stool, and cannot sit in a position to prepare a meal due to pain and functional issues/limitations.

I have my meals prepared for me. I use a magnifying glass to read in addition to my glasses as I have CSR. Even during the assessment I had to use both to read out the item the HP gave me to read, yet I scored 0 points!!! All of the aforementioned was clearly supported with medical evidence etc from all the medical teams that help me.

Should I challenge the inaccuracies especially as I will be reviewed again at the end of the year? My award is until Nov 2017. I am concerned about the errors but do not wish to appear unhappy with the awards made.

The DM states that he limited the period of my award as my needs may change.....my conditions have been confirmed by my specialists as permanent and deteriorating and this evidence was submitted!!! Any advice welcomed as to whether to notify DWP of errors

VJC wrote: Hi just wanted some advice with regard to my PIP award. I had a very positive outcome being awarded enhanced rate for both daily living and mobility.

I had a home assessment as I was just out of hospital following further spinal surgery. However, going through the letter the HP has stated that I need assistance to wash between shoulders and waist.

Yet on my form and as stated at f2f with my carer present, I actually have to be washed from head to toe due to spinal mobility issues. Additionally she stated I only need assistance to dress upper body when I need full assistance.

I scored only 4 points for needing supervision and assistance to prepare food...it was clearly expounded on my PIP2 form that I cannot stand to prepare a meal as I require both hands to use my crutches as cannot stand unaided nor use a stool, and cannot sit in a position to prepare a meal due to pain and functional issues/limitations.

I have my meals prepared for me. I use a magnifying glass to read in addition to my glasses as I have CSR. Even during the assessment I had to use both to read out the item the HP gave me to read, yet I scored 0 points!!! All of the aforementioned was clearly supported with medical evidence etc from all the medical teams that help me.

Should I challenge the inaccuracies especially as I will be reviewed again at the end of the year? My award is until Nov 2017. I am concerned about the errors but do not wish to appear unhappy with the awards made.

The DM states that he limited the period of my award as my needs may change.....my conditions have been confirmed by my specialists as permanent and deteriorating and this evidence was submitted!!! Any advice welcomed as to whether to notify DWP of errors

Hi VJC,

Welcome to Benefits and Work Form

I have had to break up your one solid block of text into paragraphs to read your post !!

Many congratulations on your Enhanced PIP Awards for "both" !!

As you rightly state, you will receive your PIP Review/Renewal Forms 12 months before the end date of your fixed term PIP Award. i.e. circa November 2016 !

If you query the accuracy of the statements made this could instigate a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) of the Enhanced PIP Awards and there is then the potential risk of your your current awards being reduced or you losing them.

Have you a copy of The PIP PA4 Medical Report ? If not, you can request copy by ringing The PIP Helpline :

Telephone: 0345 850 3322
Textphone: 0345 601 6677
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

If you have any problems obtaining The PA4 with a verbal request, you can make a written request which should be done as a separate issue to any MR request :

You can do this using a SAR Form :

SAR Form Download

From this page :

DWP Data Protection Policy

Or you can make the request in the form of a letter, as long as you make it clear that you are making a formal SAR under The Data Protection Act 1998.

Address the envelope : FAO The Data Controller, at the Benefits Office dealing with your PIP.

Write DPA 1998 SAR in front, top, left corner of envelope.

Once received, they have 40 calendar days to comply.

Requesting copy of The PA4 alone should not instigate an MR of your PIP Awards !

Once you have it, you can store it away in anticipation of your next review.

Although it is your choice to make, I would not recommend you questioning any inaccuracies or errors at this time.

As when you receive your Review Forms you can still state all the limitations that you suffer at that time, afresh, even if the limitations have failed to be taken into account this time.

Even though your existing award runs until November 2017, any decision/awards made as a result of your Review 12 months before this, will take affect from the date of the Review decision rather than from the end date of your current award !!

You should Bookmark/Favourite this page in your Internet Browser now. That way you can return to this topic easily to pose any further queries that you may have by replying to the topic.

Thanks in anticipation of your future co-operation in keeping all your PIP related queries to this topic !

bro58

Thank you so much for the advice and direction! It is truly appreciated. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the advice with regard to making my first application for PIP which had a very successful outcome for me personally. VJC