TRIBUNAL for MOBILITY

I have today received a letter from the DWP enclosing copy correspondence sent to the Tribunal with regard to my appeal on mobility. I suffer from M.E. so the illness is all about mobility. I received standard care but not enough points for mobility so I requested a hearing at a Tribunal.

After looking at the paperwork the DWP have said if I was having the problems I am having for standard mobility I maybe should not be driving. This has worried me because I only drive on better days and do not want to lose my Licence.

I have a relative that helps me with daily care and they have now put in for Carers Allowance on the advice of the Job Centre plus which they have done and are awaiting a response. If this is awarded then some of the money can be used for taxi's if I need to get to the Doctors etc and feel too exhausted to drive. I am now wondering if I should go to a Tribunal for mobility avoiding the overwhelming stress that causes a big pay back with M.E. sufferers and being confined to bed for a week and confined to the home for about 2 weeks.

It was always important that I receive the care component for PIP which I have at a standard rate but I do not want to lose my Licence pursing standard mobility. I have heard some people receiving letters from the DWP questioning if they should be driving which then causes more problems. Thank you

Hello Mandi, I got standard level for daily living and for moving around when I went from DLA to PIP. Currently waiting for MR decision. I have ME too.

Have to say I snorted with laughter when I saw DWP suggesting that you maybe shouldn't be driving... I was told I could plan and follow the route of a journey unaided by Atos assessor because "she is able to drive indicating would manage this task unaided". I haven't driven for 11 years, and my licence isn't currently valid (we moved about 5 years ago and since I don't drive I didn't get round to renewing it). It's doubtful that I will be able to get a valid licence (though do intend to apply) as I have Left vestibular dysfunction that makes me dizzy - I think that this is something DVLC say on their website that you need to tell them about.

DWP want it both ways don't they!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, and best wishes from rainy Liverpool, Maggie.

Thank you Maggie. It is very difficult I know. I do not have dizziness but the exhaustion is the thing that affects my mobility (but I am speaking to the converted) and it is when the days are bad I would not dream of driving. I think the DWP are causing as many problems as possible on genuine people. So sad. Nice to hear form you Maggie x

Thank you Gordon that is a very good point. My Doctor never saw a problem with me driving because I only did so on better days. I think the part by the DWP that talk about being able to multi task while driving is the part they have thrown into the reason for not qualifying for the mobility. I think this is laughable. When you take into consideration how you drive who drives multi tasking as you do one thing at a time not do everything altogether e.g. driving, breaking, indicating etc. all in the same minute. One function follows another.

You have certainly confirmed things a lot clearer for me. I just went into panic mode because other people I know that have been passed as okay to drive by their Doctor is now being questioned by the DWP and DLA. Maybe it is a new thing being thrown into the mix.

I used to receive Enhance mobility on the DLA so now not to not receive enough points even for standard is totally beyond me

Hi Mandi

I hate to be controversial LOL but I think judging by all the replies you have had including Gordon the moderator that this is BULLYING ok I said it by the DWP to stop you carrying on with your tribunal which they will probably loose. They have to put something down I suppose as Maggie68 says DWP want it both ways, there just going all over like throwing mud at a wall and hoping some of it sticks. I would not consider that a defence for the DWP.

As Gordon says, only you can decide !

Cannot wait for my tribunal papers to come back from the DWP sounds like it will be a laugh a minute. Some have received calls from the DWP asking them to withdraw appeals, I hope they ring me, there is more chance of me walking on water than that.

It seems just a way of trying to keep you quiet. I have got a silly award, I think its just hoping I will go away. But with an appeal YOU WILL BE HEARD and this rubbish from the DWP will go no where. I would urge you to FOLLOW GORDONS ADVICE and GO YOURSELF as your more certain to be successful than a paper hearing.