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DLA to PIP

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7 years 2 months ago #177804 by lapen
DLA to PIP was created by lapen
Dear All,
I am new to the forum and need advice while I apply for PIP.
Brief history of my disability: I got registered as partially sighted (due to RP) in 2009 and got DLA (LR mobility & MR care). Last month I got registered as Severely Sight impaired - awaiting CVI at present. I have no peripheral vision...my central vision is tunnel vision (I can't remember my visual acuity score at this time)

I am hoping to receive the new CVI before I apply for PIP (BTW I have received the DWP letter inviting me to apply for PIP)...I have time until 11/01/17.

My questions are as follow:
1) Can DWP argue that I should be assessed on partially sighted basis instead of SSI?
2)Will the assessor consider my visual acuity at all or is PIP entirely a functional ability test?

Thank you in advance for your help.
Regards LAPEN

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7 years 2 months ago - 7 years 2 months ago #177817 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic DLA to PIP
lapen

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Unlike ESA where the guidance defines the level of vision the claimant must have, PIP only refers to it in general terms of capability, I would expect them to be concerned with what you can see rather than any general label of Partially Sighted or Severely Sight Impaired.

Having a CVI could be very important to your claim.

You ability to see is relevant to most of the PIP activities and specifically Question 10 Reading and Question 13 Going Out. Have a look at the PIP Claim guide for more information.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 7 years 2 months ago by Gordon.

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7 years 2 months ago #177879 by lapen
Replied by lapen on topic DLA to PIP
Thank you so much Gordon for your reply!
I must say your site has lot of material on PIP...which is quite useful for me!

I am in the process of going through all the info. on your site and trying to digest it before I start drafting my responses for PIP2 form.

I have one more question but I don't know how best to word it:
If a person has night blindness due to RP (or any other condition) then would that be considered as applicable 50% of the day or 100% of the day?
I read it somewhere on your site that if a claimant has a variable disability affecting only some part of the day then it would be treated as having disability for the entire day.
I hope my question make sense :)

I will surely have more questions & will be troubling you soon. Thank you so much

Kind regards,

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7 years 2 months ago #177891 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic DLA to PIP
Hi lapen,

Unlike DLA, PIP does not have any criteria that specifically relate to night time needs.

I think there is a danger that DWP will decide that you are asleep during the night and, therefore, don't have any problems. It is up to you to explain in detail if/why this is not the case.

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: lapen

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7 years 2 months ago #177933 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic DLA to PIP
lapen

Just to expand slightly on what Mrs H has written, you can argue that for part of the day you are unable to see., but it must be relevant to the activity, as a couple of examples; someone who experiences severe pain after getting up and until their pain medicine kicks in several hours later could successfully argue that they would be unable to wash and dress due to the pain, an activity that would reasonably be completed at the start of the waking day. However, it is unlikely that the same argument would apply to their being able to prepare and cook a meal, as this could easily be done later in the day when their pain is under control.

So you need to show that your blindness limits your ability to reliably complete the PIP activities when it is reasonable to assume that they would be carried out.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: slugsta, lapen

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7 years 2 months ago #178048 by lapen
Replied by lapen on topic DLA to PIP
Dear All,
I have started drafting my responses to PIP2 questions and have started with easy ones first relevant to my condition.
I have two questions on reading signs, symbols and written words section:
(I use electronic magnifier, computer software to read indoors but outdoors I struggle to read signs, boards, bus numbers, time tables, shop names etc. and I would need someone's help to read outdoors.)
1. Do you think I would score 8 points?
2. Can HP argue that why don't I use an aid outside for example a magnifier?

I would say about the 2nd question that it is a valid question in relation to reading timetables but I can't see how it applies to being able to read bus numbers while they are on the move... my condition is strange (SSI with RP...no peripheral vision & very restricted central vision (tunnel vision)); in good lighting conditions I my be able to read green exit sign on the door but only if I don't miss it altogether due to tunnel vision...Similarly I may be able to read a shop name in a good lighting condition but may not be able to read it again when it is sunny as my eyes are very sensitive to light or in dim light.

Many thanks
Regards,

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