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Calling to ask about PIP points awarded
- FizzyLola
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7 years 10 months ago #190194 by FizzyLola
Calling to ask about PIP points awarded was created by FizzyLola
Hi everyone I have used all the great guidance on this site for my recent change over from DLA to PIP. I felt prepared for the assessment after all the information I had read too and the assessor, I am pleased to feedback, was considerate and treated me with respect and allowed me enough time to explain all of my answers.
I heard on Friday that I have been awarded 11 points standard care but I have only been awarded 2 points for using an aid for washing & bathing but I am unable to use the bath without help. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my wrists are fused straight and do not bend and I am unable to support myself to get in or out of the bath and require my husband to assist with this. I can get in and out of the shower independently. I thought that I should score 3 points for this automatically but I have only scored 2. If I had scored 3, as I correctly think I should, I would then have a total of 12 points which would then mean I would be awarded enhanced care rather than standard care.
My question is should I just ring and ask why I have not been awarded 3 points for this activity as I think it's an error, or do I have to request a mandatory reconsideration with all the risks that brings?
Incidentally I did receive high rate mobility but I have now scored 4 points on the PIP system. This proves a difficult one for me as my condition fluctuates so much and I understand I do not fit in an easy box. I therefore could come to terms with this but I do feel that I should have scored 12 points in relation to my care component. I am now unsure about how to proceed and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I heard on Friday that I have been awarded 11 points standard care but I have only been awarded 2 points for using an aid for washing & bathing but I am unable to use the bath without help. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my wrists are fused straight and do not bend and I am unable to support myself to get in or out of the bath and require my husband to assist with this. I can get in and out of the shower independently. I thought that I should score 3 points for this automatically but I have only scored 2. If I had scored 3, as I correctly think I should, I would then have a total of 12 points which would then mean I would be awarded enhanced care rather than standard care.
My question is should I just ring and ask why I have not been awarded 3 points for this activity as I think it's an error, or do I have to request a mandatory reconsideration with all the risks that brings?
Incidentally I did receive high rate mobility but I have now scored 4 points on the PIP system. This proves a difficult one for me as my condition fluctuates so much and I understand I do not fit in an easy box. I therefore could come to terms with this but I do feel that I should have scored 12 points in relation to my care component. I am now unsure about how to proceed and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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- Gordon
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7 years 10 months ago #190216 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Calling to ask about PIP points awarded
FizzyLola
You say that you heard on Friday, was this via a Decision Letter or did you contact the DWP for an update?
If the latter then I would certainly contact the DWP about the 3 points, as there is still a chance that it can influence the Decision Maker.
If the former then it may be more difficult, I would still make the call, but the DM may require that you go through a Mandatory Reconsideration process before they will look again at the points that you should have received.
Make sure that you have shown on your original claim form that you cannot get in and out of a bath without assistance. Ideally you need to have shown that your are always affected, but failing that as long as you can show that you cannot reliably do it on the majority of days, you have a chance of scoring the points.
Be aware that the DM is not medically trained, which is why they are so reliant on the assessment report. They may feel it necessary to ask the assessor to look at their report again, which will delay you hearing.
Do you have a copy of this? If not then contact the DWP office dealing with your claim.
It would help If you have as it will help you to argue against the assessors reasons why they did not feel that you would have a problem. But if you do not have the report, then it may be more important to contact the DWP immediately to avoid the requirement for an MR than wait to get a copy.
If they say that you have to request an MR, the definitely get the report before you make the request (subject to your meeting the one month to make the MR request), so that you can argue any specific points that it raises.
As to the Mobility. It has to be your call and I can understand that you might want to leave it if you can get the DL component sorted quickly, but if you have to go to MR then I would recommend that you at least review their reasons in detail before you decide whether to leave it or not.
Gordon
You say that you heard on Friday, was this via a Decision Letter or did you contact the DWP for an update?
If the latter then I would certainly contact the DWP about the 3 points, as there is still a chance that it can influence the Decision Maker.
If the former then it may be more difficult, I would still make the call, but the DM may require that you go through a Mandatory Reconsideration process before they will look again at the points that you should have received.
Make sure that you have shown on your original claim form that you cannot get in and out of a bath without assistance. Ideally you need to have shown that your are always affected, but failing that as long as you can show that you cannot reliably do it on the majority of days, you have a chance of scoring the points.
Be aware that the DM is not medically trained, which is why they are so reliant on the assessment report. They may feel it necessary to ask the assessor to look at their report again, which will delay you hearing.
Do you have a copy of this? If not then contact the DWP office dealing with your claim.
It would help If you have as it will help you to argue against the assessors reasons why they did not feel that you would have a problem. But if you do not have the report, then it may be more important to contact the DWP immediately to avoid the requirement for an MR than wait to get a copy.
If they say that you have to request an MR, the definitely get the report before you make the request (subject to your meeting the one month to make the MR request), so that you can argue any specific points that it raises.
As to the Mobility. It has to be your call and I can understand that you might want to leave it if you can get the DL component sorted quickly, but if you have to go to MR then I would recommend that you at least review their reasons in detail before you decide whether to leave it or not.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- FizzyLola
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7 years 10 months ago #190246 by FizzyLola
Replied by FizzyLola on topic Calling to ask about PIP points awarded
Thanks very much Gordon for your informative reply.
I did in fact receive my decision letter on Friday & I also do not have a copy of the assessor report. Following the points you raised I rang the DWP querying the points I had been awarded for Washing & Bathing explaining that I cannot get in or out of the bath without assistance and the gentleman said that they will raise it with the DM initially to see what they come back with. He did inform me that I could have a phone call to discuss my claim decision at length but I said that initially I would like the DM to just look at that descriptor as I thought an error has been made as it is very clear cut. I had written this on my claim form also.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
I did in fact receive my decision letter on Friday & I also do not have a copy of the assessor report. Following the points you raised I rang the DWP querying the points I had been awarded for Washing & Bathing explaining that I cannot get in or out of the bath without assistance and the gentleman said that they will raise it with the DM initially to see what they come back with. He did inform me that I could have a phone call to discuss my claim decision at length but I said that initially I would like the DM to just look at that descriptor as I thought an error has been made as it is very clear cut. I had written this on my claim form also.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
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