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Q. re: Getting in/out of un adapted bath or shower

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5 years 10 months ago #212061 by Gnut
Hi, long time subscriber here just filling out my PIP form for DLA to PIP. Thanks for the great guides.
My question is, I just saw this on Rightsnet - Descriptor 4e addresses the ability to get out of an 'unadapted' bath or shower / consideration of whether 'or' is disjunctive, but I can't read the Rightsnet summary.

My case is that I don't have a shower, only an un-adapted bath, which I cant use because I cant get in it without help, and I cant sit in a bath even if I could climb in. Also for various reasons I cant use a bath seat.

I'm wondering will they give me 3 points for this or would they expect me to rip the bath out and get a shower installed? I've no idea if that's feasable as I live in a rented house and I doubt I could afford it.

Your guide seems to indicate I would get 3 points but I just wanted to check. Or would I get just 2 for using a long handled sponge when clearly my needs are greater than that? I do believe I might be able to manage in a small shower cubicle with a chair, but don't know because I don't have one. I am prone to slips and falls but I could raise my leg above the height of a shower cubicle lip if I'm careful.

Thanks in advance

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5 years 10 months ago #212069 by Gordon
Gnut

There's a table on page 36 of the PIP Claim guide that explains what you would be entitled to. It does not matter whether you have a shower or not, you only need to have problems with one of the two to score.

However, you must explain your problems in detail and which conditions cause them.

Gordon

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

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5 years 10 months ago #212085 by Gnut
Thanks Gordon

I thought that was the case and had seen the table, but I just panicked when I saw the word 'disjunctive' as I didn't know what that word mean't and thought there might be some dispute going on over the meaning of the word 'or' :)

Yes I'm typing my answers up as there is no way I could fit everything in if I filled in the details by hand. Am hoping I will do ok as I've been on DLA for 24 years but not had to fill one of these type forms in for 11 years, so its a bit daunting. Don't know what I had would have done without your guides. I will let you know how I go on. Thank you.

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5 years 10 months ago #212134 by Gordon
Gnut

It is perfectly OK for you to type your answers and attach them as extra pages to the PIP2, just make sure that each page has your full name and NIN at the top and that they are numbered, we recommend "page X of Y" so that it is easy to see if pages are missing. Make sure you clearly mark on the form where your answers are and on the relevant page that you are answering question X.

Attach the pages to the back of the PIP2 using a staple or make a hole in the top left corner and use a treasury tag, string or ribbon to the form. The pages need to be easily detached so that they can be scanned by the DWP.

Gordon

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

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5 years 8 months ago #214866 by Gnut
Hi again, Just an update.

I had my F2F on the 11th July and am now waiting for the decision. At first they wanted me to go for my assesment to a town over 20 miles away, but I rang and got them to change it to a center 8 miles away. The lady assesor said she was a nurse. Apart from the odd few things on the whole it was reasonably pleasant, which I was glad of because I had been worrying myself silly over this for weeks. The assesment took about an hour.

However i'm not over confident. When I explained my washing problems she pulled her face (showing disgust) and started asking me why I hadnt asked my landlord to rip out the bath and put in a shower. TBH I was flumoxed by this and didn't know how to answer. Im really not sure how my landlord would take such a request as I assume this would be an expensive job given the layout of my bathroom, and I don't want to risk my tenancy. I think I would rather move, but even that is a daunting prospect, but one I'm no doubt going to have to face in the not too distant future. But at least I would be doing that on my own terms not my landlords.

She seemed perterbed by the fact I hadn't been to my doctors for quite a while, but given that my disability is reasonably stable I only go when I have need. Also my doctor is about 2 miles (a taxi ride) away and for the last year or so you have to ring on the dot of 8am and hope to get an appointment that day and it takes me ages to get going in the morning. You can't make advance appointments, so it really is a pain getting to the doctor's. I am waiting to get this claim over with before changing my doctor to somewhere much closer with hopefully a better appointment system. I tried to explain this but she wasn't interested, but I did get the feeling that not visiting the doc regularly will go against me.

I also noticed that several times I was asked if I wanted a drink of water. There was a jug of water and some plastic cups on the table that would have required me to stand and take a step or two to reach. It was obvious to me that I was expected to get the water for myself and she looked very disapointed each time I declined. Also Im sure I was being watched as I left the centre and walked with my 3 wheeled walker to the taxi down a long ramp outside, even though I've heard they are not supposed to do that.

So all in all, given these few things it left me with an uneasy feeling. Maybe Im just being paranoid, but Ill no doubt find out soon enough. Fingers crossed :unsure:

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5 years 8 months ago #214874 by Gordon
Gnut

You should be able to request a copy of your assessment report by contacting the DWP office dealing with your claim. A Decision should be about 2-5 weeks.

Gordon

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

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