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wheelchair assessment

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11 years 4 months ago - 11 years 4 months ago #94476 by shrinathji
Replied by shrinathji on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
PC wrote:

Hi All

I've just been reading query about wheelchair assessments on a different thread, and hope my experience will be of some use.

I have been gathering evidence for ESA appeal as I believe I qualify for support group.

I have a wheelchair, provided by NHS whhelchair service 5 years ago. I have never been able to use it unaccompanied, as I do not have upper body strength to self propel, or to be able to lift it into the car boot.

I was worried that DM would look at the fact that I have had the wheelchair so long as proof that I could mobilise the required 50 metres. Then I remembered that I my GP originally requested a power chair when I was referred, but the cash strapped NHS only provided these to people who are not able to walk at all, and only if their home is adapted for wheelchair use. Not many then I guess.

I asked for a copy of my original reaferral form, which asked for power chair, and also went to Shopmobility, from whom I have regularly hired power chairs and scooters. They provided copies of all the details of times and dates I had borrowed from them. I'm hoping this will prove to be evidence of my being unable to mobilise 50metres independently.

Good luck

PC


Hi,

can i just ask a very quick question with regards to the wheelchair test.

If one does not have upper body problems but lower body problems, ie leg giving way without notice and lower back spondylosis, therefore, would have difficulty in lifting it in and out of a car boot, would this be taken into consideration for S/G criteria???

Radhika.
Last edit: 11 years 4 months ago by Gordon.

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11 years 4 months ago #94477 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
As I undersand it, only the ability to self-propell the wheelchair will be assessed, not the ability to lift a wheelchair.

I am sure one of the other mods will correct me if I am wrong.

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

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11 years 4 months ago #94480 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
radhika wrote:

can i just ask a very quick question with regards to the wheelchair test.

If one does not have upper body problems but lower body problems, ie leg giving way without notice and lower back spondylosis, therefore, would have difficulty in lifting it in and out of a car boot, would this be taken into consideration for S/G criteria???

Radhika.

There is some new case law, that clearly defines the requirement for the reasonableness of using a wheelchair to be considered, so you can certainly argue that problems being able to access the chair in the first place would prevent use, I have also seen it argued that the inability to move between seats (descriptor 2), would prevent usage, if this is relevant.

However, if the reasonableness of usage if not sufficient then it would come done to upper body health, so someone with no problems in this area, would definitely be at a disadvantage.

Gordon

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

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  • bro58
11 years 4 months ago - 11 years 4 months ago #94481 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

As I undersand it, only the ability to self-propell the wheelchair will be assessed, not the ability to lift a wheelchair.

I am sure one of the other mods will correct me if I am wrong.


Yes MHB,

You are correct in that the claimant's ability to propel a manual wheelchair unaided is assessed. :)

R may also want to look at the different aspects, of whether it would be "Reasonable" to expect a claimant to do this, as seen here : www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=87202#87202

bro58
Last edit: 11 years 4 months ago by bro58.

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11 years 4 months ago - 11 years 4 months ago #94484 by shrinathji
Replied by shrinathji on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
If one was advised not to use one due to lower body limitations by hospital professionals, for example, the upper body propelling agravates the lower body problems, would this be accepted.

Radhika.
Last edit: 11 years 4 months ago by Gordon.

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11 years 4 months ago - 11 years 4 months ago #94486 by shrinathji
Replied by shrinathji on topic Re:wheelchair assessment
Thanks Bro58,
i did look at those earlier which got me thinking of my earlier question as one impairment can be related to another problem.

Radhika.
Last edit: 11 years 4 months ago by slugsta.

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