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New disability claim
- Swans1?
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4 years 2 months ago #256311 by Swans1?
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Hi guys and ladies, I currently have Standard rate pip for my mental health, I have developed back pain in the last 8 months, although I Diddnt let DWP about this, I’ve had an X-ray and a mri, and has come back as arthritis in my spine, it’s come to the time where I’m finding it difficult walking no more than I would say 150 metres if I go past that I’m in severe pain, even walking to the toilet etc is causing a lot of pain, my wife has to physically wash and dress me as I physically can’t anymore due to the severe pain I am in, I’m currently on tramadol for the pain, sorry about the essay my mental health is terrible, ok just wondering if anyone has successfully gotten standard/enhanced mobility for arthritis in there back/Spine? And what evidence do I need to provide to give me the best chance in being accepted please? Thanks everyone
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- Catherine
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4 years 2 months ago #256320 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic New disability claim
Hello Paul Henry,
Have a look at this link Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews.
That will tell you what points it is possible to score for each descriptor. You need 8 points for standard award and 12 for Enhanced for both Daily Living and Mobility.
If your current Daily Living award is based soley on Mental Health it is possible that the impact of your arthritis may qualify you for enough points to get the enhanced level daily living award.
If you have a look at the Mobility section of the guide you will see there are two activities, the second is purely physical, and if you can walk 150 metres that will not earn you 8 points alone. But if your mental health is such that you have difficulties planning and undertaking a journey then it is possible that the two activities within the mobility section will give you a total of 8 or more.
The more evidence you can provide the better. Obviously medical evidence from your X-ray and MRI is good, also a doctor's letter if you can get that. Copy of your repeat prescription showing the pain killers you have been prescribed is hard evidence. I would suggest that you also complete a diary - same link as above, but scroll down a little further to PIP diaries. These can be submitted as evidence, but will also help you to complete the PIP2 form. If she is willing, you should also ask your wife to statement detailing the help and support she needs to give you.
Obviously this is all triggered by a Change of Circumstances. You should inform the DWP of this regardless, but I would be remiss not to point out that any review of your PIP could result in you losing your current level of support. Anything is possible, although not probable.
I hope that helps, please do come back to us if you have more questions
Catherine
Have a look at this link Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews.
That will tell you what points it is possible to score for each descriptor. You need 8 points for standard award and 12 for Enhanced for both Daily Living and Mobility.
If your current Daily Living award is based soley on Mental Health it is possible that the impact of your arthritis may qualify you for enough points to get the enhanced level daily living award.
If you have a look at the Mobility section of the guide you will see there are two activities, the second is purely physical, and if you can walk 150 metres that will not earn you 8 points alone. But if your mental health is such that you have difficulties planning and undertaking a journey then it is possible that the two activities within the mobility section will give you a total of 8 or more.
The more evidence you can provide the better. Obviously medical evidence from your X-ray and MRI is good, also a doctor's letter if you can get that. Copy of your repeat prescription showing the pain killers you have been prescribed is hard evidence. I would suggest that you also complete a diary - same link as above, but scroll down a little further to PIP diaries. These can be submitted as evidence, but will also help you to complete the PIP2 form. If she is willing, you should also ask your wife to statement detailing the help and support she needs to give you.
Obviously this is all triggered by a Change of Circumstances. You should inform the DWP of this regardless, but I would be remiss not to point out that any review of your PIP could result in you losing your current level of support. Anything is possible, although not probable.
I hope that helps, please do come back to us if you have more questions
Catherine
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- denby
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4 years 2 months ago #256337 by denby
Replied by denby on topic New disability claim
Hi Paul Henry, just to add to all Catherine's good advice specifically about Tramadol. Our daughter is on this for a systemic joint pain condition. The assessor in her report [PA4] tried to say she had only moderate pain relief [despite clear evidence of that and gabapentin] and therefore could do all sorts of activities OK. I wrote in as soon as I got that report [phone for it on 2nd day after your assessment] - and quoted the NHS own website where it says Tramadol is for severe pain etc. Along with correcting various other untruths this was enough to get her enhanced x 2 on a paper based assessment and without having the trauma of MR and Appeal. So watch out for that! Best wishes, Denby
The following user(s) said Thank You: Catherine, LL26
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- Swans1?
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4 years 2 months ago #256483 by Swans1?
Replied by Swans1? on topic New disability claim
Thank you
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4 years 2 months ago #256488 by Swans1?
Replied by Swans1? on topic New disability claim
How long would you do the diary for please? Isit every day until the pip forms have been sent off? Or keep doing it if they want to appeal etc? Thank you
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- Catherine
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4 years 2 months ago #256512 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic New disability claim
Hi,
Assuming your condition is fairly consistent, I would say a minimum of one week and a maximum of two. If however it fluctuates a lot, you might want to include some extra days demonstrating when it is bad.
For example, if you are generally stiff in the morning and take three times the usual length of time to get dressed that should be recorded in your diary. If however when it rains and is very humid and you are unable to get dressed without someone helping you, that could be included as a supplementary day.
No hard and fast rules. The idea is that the diary is that it is a tool to help you demonstrate how your condition effects you. The DWP don't need reams of weeks saying roughly the same thing.
I hope all your efforts eventually pay off for you.
Catherine
Assuming your condition is fairly consistent, I would say a minimum of one week and a maximum of two. If however it fluctuates a lot, you might want to include some extra days demonstrating when it is bad.
For example, if you are generally stiff in the morning and take three times the usual length of time to get dressed that should be recorded in your diary. If however when it rains and is very humid and you are unable to get dressed without someone helping you, that could be included as a supplementary day.
No hard and fast rules. The idea is that the diary is that it is a tool to help you demonstrate how your condition effects you. The DWP don't need reams of weeks saying roughly the same thing.
I hope all your efforts eventually pay off for you.
Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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