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Orthotic lifts
- Beragon
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2 years 9 months ago #269583 by Beragon
Orthotic lifts was created by Beragon
I have arthritis in my feet which causes terrible pain. I have steroid injections into my big toe joints which gives me some relief until it wears off.
When I did my PIP assessment a few years ago I mentioned my arthritis/ the injections and also the fact that I wear orthotic lifts. I went to the Orthotics Department of the local hospital and they prescribed me a pair.
When I made my PIP claim, in 2017, at the mandatory consideration, I was awarded 2 points for them in the dressing section. They were classed as an aid. I was delighted as these 2 points added with other points in different sections meant that I was entitled to the lower award of daily living.
It is now time for my reassessment. I have downloaded your latest PIP guidelines, but cannot find anything there under dressing or orthotic lifts.
I know that THEY ( the DWP) are tinkering with the rules all the time. Does this mean that this have removed this? It is vitally important as if they remove these 2 points my award under daily living will be zero.
Thank you in advance
When I did my PIP assessment a few years ago I mentioned my arthritis/ the injections and also the fact that I wear orthotic lifts. I went to the Orthotics Department of the local hospital and they prescribed me a pair.
When I made my PIP claim, in 2017, at the mandatory consideration, I was awarded 2 points for them in the dressing section. They were classed as an aid. I was delighted as these 2 points added with other points in different sections meant that I was entitled to the lower award of daily living.
It is now time for my reassessment. I have downloaded your latest PIP guidelines, but cannot find anything there under dressing or orthotic lifts.
I know that THEY ( the DWP) are tinkering with the rules all the time. Does this mean that this have removed this? It is vitally important as if they remove these 2 points my award under daily living will be zero.
Thank you in advance
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- BIS
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2 years 9 months ago - 2 years 9 months ago #269600 by BIS
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Replied by BIS on topic Orthotic lifts
Hi David I don't know whether they were actually listed previously, but I would continue to emphasise the use in your renewal claim as you did last time and even mention that you were awarded points for them last time and your condition and use of them has not changed. BIS
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Last edit: 2 years 9 months ago by BIS.
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- denby
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2 years 9 months ago #269610 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Orthotic lifts
Thanks David for mentioning this, I would never have thought of it but totally depend on my orthotics to minimise knee pain.
Denby
Denby
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- LL26
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2 years 9 months ago #269616 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Orthotic lifts
Hi David
Depending on your walking ability, if you can only go 20 to 50m because you have orthotics this is classed as a walking aid, so you should get 10 points under 2d rather than 8 pts 2c which is 20 to 50 unaided.
I find it odd that orthotics are classed as an aid for dressing, unless what DWP mean is that because you have orthotics that suggests you will need an aid for dressing, rather than the orthotics being the aid!
That said, DWP have a very bad habit of simply awarding 2 pts for an aid across various activities. This is usually sufficient to provide standard daily living. Claimant is relieved he has got PIP and doesn't challenge. The reality is that quite often more points should have been awarded.
Presumably you have poor movement, so make sure that you consider all the activities where movement might be required, not just walking around.
Cooking do you need to sit down at the cooker(perching stool) or perhaps you can't move around the kitchen safely? Do you struggle to get on or off the toilet? Maybe you can not enter the bath or shower without difficulty. (Remember that if you have problems with getting in/out either bath or shower then you can score points. You don't need to show problems with both. ) You will get 3 points for this 4e.
Whilst you might also need help to wash certain parts, or need a shower seat (aid/appliance) you should score the highest value when everything applies equally. Also bear in mind that if you avoid certain PIP activities because it is too difficult, then this indicates you need help are it is likely you will score points.
Consider the majority pattern, can you do the activity for the majority of days across the whole day as many times as required. Don’t ignore the effect of pain, as this indicates you may not perform the activity to an acceptable standard. Safety is important, as is the time taken. If you can't do the activity within the time it takes an able bodied person, then you should score points. This is all true for daily living and mobility.
Be brutally honest when you fill in the form and give examples.
Good luck.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Depending on your walking ability, if you can only go 20 to 50m because you have orthotics this is classed as a walking aid, so you should get 10 points under 2d rather than 8 pts 2c which is 20 to 50 unaided.
I find it odd that orthotics are classed as an aid for dressing, unless what DWP mean is that because you have orthotics that suggests you will need an aid for dressing, rather than the orthotics being the aid!
That said, DWP have a very bad habit of simply awarding 2 pts for an aid across various activities. This is usually sufficient to provide standard daily living. Claimant is relieved he has got PIP and doesn't challenge. The reality is that quite often more points should have been awarded.
Presumably you have poor movement, so make sure that you consider all the activities where movement might be required, not just walking around.
Cooking do you need to sit down at the cooker(perching stool) or perhaps you can't move around the kitchen safely? Do you struggle to get on or off the toilet? Maybe you can not enter the bath or shower without difficulty. (Remember that if you have problems with getting in/out either bath or shower then you can score points. You don't need to show problems with both. ) You will get 3 points for this 4e.
Whilst you might also need help to wash certain parts, or need a shower seat (aid/appliance) you should score the highest value when everything applies equally. Also bear in mind that if you avoid certain PIP activities because it is too difficult, then this indicates you need help are it is likely you will score points.
Consider the majority pattern, can you do the activity for the majority of days across the whole day as many times as required. Don’t ignore the effect of pain, as this indicates you may not perform the activity to an acceptable standard. Safety is important, as is the time taken. If you can't do the activity within the time it takes an able bodied person, then you should score points. This is all true for daily living and mobility.
Be brutally honest when you fill in the form and give examples.
Good luck.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Beragon
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2 years 9 months ago #269619 by Beragon
Replied by Beragon on topic Orthotic lifts
Hi LL26,
Thanks for your message. Yes I got 2 points under washing and dressing which gave me the lower award for daily living. I was not going to rock the boat.
Beragon
Thanks for your message. Yes I got 2 points under washing and dressing which gave me the lower award for daily living. I was not going to rock the boat.
Beragon
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