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Using the word Cannot or Unable in a pip form and ambiguous words
- Waxwing
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2 years 9 months ago #269772 by Waxwing
Using the word Cannot or Unable in a pip form and ambiguous words was created by Waxwing
Hello
This might be a bit of a silly post but I am undecided on using the term "Cannot" or should the term "Unable" be more appropriate. The reason why I am asking is the word "Cannot" means to me that you cannot do something full stop but if you are able to do something but with problems then the term "Unable" would be more appropriate. Also being as it is based on activities and functionality then it is also based of ability so the word able or unable would be more appropriate than the word "can" and "cannot".
So for example would it be better to start the activity explination like this:-
I suffer from(with) - (description of disability or mental health problem) - and I cannot do the activity of washing and bathing (for example) safely, in a reasonable time period or to an acceptable standard because..........
Or would the word "Unable" be better? For example:-
I suffer from(with) - (description of disability or mental health problem) - and I am unable do the activity of washing and bathing (for example) safely, in a reasonable time period or to an acceptable standard because..........
The reason why I am asking this is because I am a little concerned about using ambiguous words like "can" or "maybe" or "sometimes" that then would raise the prospects of doing that activity may include better days when infact each day is the same and does not vary.
I might be completely overthinking this but it is just something that I would like to clarify on this forum before we click the submit button on my brothers claim
Thanks for your advice in advance. It is always appreciated.
Kind Regards
Waxwing
This might be a bit of a silly post but I am undecided on using the term "Cannot" or should the term "Unable" be more appropriate. The reason why I am asking is the word "Cannot" means to me that you cannot do something full stop but if you are able to do something but with problems then the term "Unable" would be more appropriate. Also being as it is based on activities and functionality then it is also based of ability so the word able or unable would be more appropriate than the word "can" and "cannot".
So for example would it be better to start the activity explination like this:-
I suffer from(with) - (description of disability or mental health problem) - and I cannot do the activity of washing and bathing (for example) safely, in a reasonable time period or to an acceptable standard because..........
Or would the word "Unable" be better? For example:-
I suffer from(with) - (description of disability or mental health problem) - and I am unable do the activity of washing and bathing (for example) safely, in a reasonable time period or to an acceptable standard because..........
The reason why I am asking this is because I am a little concerned about using ambiguous words like "can" or "maybe" or "sometimes" that then would raise the prospects of doing that activity may include better days when infact each day is the same and does not vary.
I might be completely overthinking this but it is just something that I would like to clarify on this forum before we click the submit button on my brothers claim
Thanks for your advice in advance. It is always appreciated.
Kind Regards
Waxwing
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- LL26
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2 years 9 months ago #269786 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Using the word Cannot or Unable in a pip form and ambiguous words
Hi Waxwing,
You raise an interesting point.
I think in someways the words 'unable' and 'cannot' mean the same.However, when I write forms or MR letters etc for claimants, cannot can mean 'it is absolutely impossible for me to do...' or could equally mean, ' cannot perform X safely,' (or acceptably, or in a reasonable time or repeatedly. )
Unable suggests an absolute impossibility, so for example a double leg amputee is unable to walk. (For PIP Walking is the act of putting at least one biological foot on the ground to move forward.) Or a person born with a facial deformity who has no jaw is likely to be unable to chew food.
Sometimes is a difficult choice of word, it will probably be interpreted by DWP as a few times not very often. It is better to say 4 days a week, or for 3 hours every day etc.
If you have a variable condition, you can say 'I can't not do X, for the majority of days,' and then explain why.
As with all things PIP, it doesn't mater whether you cannot or you are unable to do something as long as you explain exactly why and give examples. You are right that unquantifiable terms such as maybe and sometimes, or even regularly or often are unlikely to achieve points.
I hope this helps.
LL26
You raise an interesting point.
I think in someways the words 'unable' and 'cannot' mean the same.However, when I write forms or MR letters etc for claimants, cannot can mean 'it is absolutely impossible for me to do...' or could equally mean, ' cannot perform X safely,' (or acceptably, or in a reasonable time or repeatedly. )
Unable suggests an absolute impossibility, so for example a double leg amputee is unable to walk. (For PIP Walking is the act of putting at least one biological foot on the ground to move forward.) Or a person born with a facial deformity who has no jaw is likely to be unable to chew food.
Sometimes is a difficult choice of word, it will probably be interpreted by DWP as a few times not very often. It is better to say 4 days a week, or for 3 hours every day etc.
If you have a variable condition, you can say 'I can't not do X, for the majority of days,' and then explain why.
As with all things PIP, it doesn't mater whether you cannot or you are unable to do something as long as you explain exactly why and give examples. You are right that unquantifiable terms such as maybe and sometimes, or even regularly or often are unlikely to achieve points.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Waxwing
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2 years 9 months ago #269798 by Waxwing
Replied by Waxwing on topic Using the word Cannot or Unable in a pip form and ambiguous words
Thank you LL26 it has been most helpfull
Kind Regards
Waxwing
Kind Regards
Waxwing
The following user(s) said Thank You: LL26, Jane
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