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Reconsideration question

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6 years 9 months ago #190856 by Val46
Reconsideration question was created by Val46
I recently applied for PIP for my adult son on mental health grounds. After sending the application he was given a face to face assessment. I should add here that from the initial phone call right to award letter being received we have been treated with great respect and professionalism throughout, absolutely no complaints there. My son was awarded 11 points for care, 4 for mobility .
I agree with the mobility. I am now wondering if we should/could ask for reconsideration on the daily living. For managing money he got 2 points for help with complex decisions. If he bought something in the shop he would know how much change he should get, does simple budgeting come under that. At present he would be incapable of budgeting for essentials like food, but he would know 2 bottles of water at 50p would cost £1.
Where does simple and complex begin and end ?
The other points were on engaging with others. He got 2 for needing prompting to be able to engage. He currently attends CBT and self harm groups. He absolutely needs a lot of help daily to even leave the house.
Recently ( after application was made) he did worsen & was detained for 48 hrs under the Mental Health Act. I realise that can't be taken into consideration for this application as it happened subsequently. It's more an indication of how bad he is.
Obviously we don't want to loose his standard award so I would appreciate any advice on what constitutes "simple" budgeting & what covers " social support " in engaging with others.
Thank you.

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6 years 9 months ago #190863 by Val46
Replied by Val46 on topic Reconsideration question
I've realised another matter with this application, having looked again at the award I noticed 0 points for Reading. At the time of filling in the form we took that question to refer to actual physical eye sight, but now I see it states read AND understand. We ticked no problems with this action and I'm now wondering if we made a mistake. My son can read but could not understand the complexities of forms, we do all his forms & actually have to intercept his mail to keep forms such as credit card application away from him as he would not appreciate or understand the wider issues involved. Any advice on this as well would be appreciated, thanks.

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6 years 9 months ago #190864 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reconsideration question
Val

Congratulations on the award you have received.

The definitions and more explanation are in the PIP Claim guide, I've copied then in to my reply

Simple budgeting decisions” means decisions involving –
(a) calculating the cost of goods; and
(b) calculating change required after a purchase.

Complex budgeting decisions” means decisions involving –
(a) calculating household and personal budgets;
(b) managing and paying bills; and
(c) planning future purchases.

From what you have posted the Making decisions about money score is correct.

To score higher for Mixing with other people you will need to show that he needs Social support, this means;

"support from a person trained or experienced in assisting people to engage in social situations."

There is case law that would allow you to argue that a family member could provide the assistance but you must still show a specific requirement for the support/ I'm afraid I can't see how his being detained would fit with this activity, maybe you could talk to those helping with the CBT and self-harm.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Val46

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6 years 9 months ago #190865 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reconsideration question

Val46 wrote: I've realised another matter with this application, having looked again at the award I noticed 0 points for Reading. At the time of filling in the form we took that question to refer to actual physical eye sight, but now I see it states read AND understand. We ticked no problems with this action and I'm now wondering if we made a mistake. My son can read but could not understand the complexities of forms, we do all his forms & actually have to intercept his mail to keep forms such as credit card application away from him as he would not appreciate or understand the wider issues involved. Any advice on this as well would be appreciated, thanks.


Have a look at the definitions for Basic and Complex information in the guide, the requirement is that he needs to be prompted, is this consistent with his problems.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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6 years 9 months ago #190905 by Val46
Replied by Val46 on topic Reconsideration question
Thank you, it's no doubt me ( having problems myself with forms !) But I can't find those definitions in the guides. I've spoken to staff at PIP who also seemed a little confused, although very helpful. Between us we have, guessing, felt it means not understanding applications for credit cards/loans, mortgages etc but then they felt that probably comes under budgeting.
I'm torn between asking for a reconsideration or not as I don't want to loose his standard ( for 3yrs)
I spoke to the person from mental health who deals with him, but like always was completely unhelpful & arrogant, telling me that I wasn't a psychiatrist how can I decide what my son can or can't do !. We have had this problem for years & only got to see a doctor eventually by going to the press. So no help there. I almost didn't apply because of them but it was the staff at PIP & the assessor from Capita that gave me the confidence to do so, they were all great.
Just wish I understood what reading & understanding actually means in terms of this benefit. Thanks for the help, apart from that question ( which I completely missed) the rest of the application form, done with the help of your guides, was obviously successful, and that was with a lack of help from the mental health agencies (whoever & wherever they are !)

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6 years 9 months ago #190908 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Reconsideration question
Val

The definitions are under the heading Legal Definitions immediately after the Descriptors for the Reading activity, I've included them below.

“Basic written information” means signs, symbols and dates written or printed standard size text
in your native language.

“Complex written information” means more than one sentence of written or printed standard size text in your native language.

As you can see the standard is very high, I'm not sure that having problems with forms would meet the requirements if he has no problems reading a printed page.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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