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If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both?
- Kpow
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2 years 2 months ago #275385 by Kpow
If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both? was created by Kpow
Hi Folks, in quite alot of cases to questions, 2 Descriptors apply to my situation and am wondering is it better to go "all in" and target the one with the highest points that applies to me ( in the hope of being awared this) or cover both descriptors that apply to me ( in the hope of at least being awared something).
Example : On Preparing Food , 1d " needs prompting...." ( 2 pts) and 1e " needs supervision or assistance....( 4 pts) also applies to me.
It appears there are pro's and cons for both e.g. To me the "All in" approach of focusing on one descriptor seems clearer but risky in case it is somehow missed or ignored by Decision Maker completely risking 0 pts while bringing 2 Descriptors into my answer may risk confusing Decision Maker and getting the lower points ( even though they are supposed to award the higher of the 2).
This situation of 2 Descriptors applying to me occurs in a few questions eg Dressing, Washing and Bathing, Going Out and others so I could really do with some feedback on which approach is best.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Example : On Preparing Food , 1d " needs prompting...." ( 2 pts) and 1e " needs supervision or assistance....( 4 pts) also applies to me.
It appears there are pro's and cons for both e.g. To me the "All in" approach of focusing on one descriptor seems clearer but risky in case it is somehow missed or ignored by Decision Maker completely risking 0 pts while bringing 2 Descriptors into my answer may risk confusing Decision Maker and getting the lower points ( even though they are supposed to award the higher of the 2).
This situation of 2 Descriptors applying to me occurs in a few questions eg Dressing, Washing and Bathing, Going Out and others so I could really do with some feedback on which approach is best.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
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- BIS
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2 years 1 month ago #275406 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both?
Hi Kpow
You should write to the one you think most applies to you. If you need assistance or supervision, then it is assumed that this will include prompting. If you only say you need prompting, it will be assumed that after that, you can go on and prepare a meal.
Don't try and complicate or overthink things. Look at each question and go for the one that you feel applies to you on the majority of days, and write your answer to that specific criteria.
BIS
You should write to the one you think most applies to you. If you need assistance or supervision, then it is assumed that this will include prompting. If you only say you need prompting, it will be assumed that after that, you can go on and prepare a meal.
Don't try and complicate or overthink things. Look at each question and go for the one that you feel applies to you on the majority of days, and write your answer to that specific criteria.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- LL26
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2 years 1 month ago #275434 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both?
Hi Kpow,
If DWP are correctly applying the law, where 2 or more descriptors in a section apply equally, then the highest value should be awarded. If 2 descriptors apply unequally, then the majority version is correct.
This is Regulation 7 PIP Regs 2013.
I always think it is a good idea to explain this, if it is relevant.
However, you describe that you need prompting and assistance to cook.
As per BIS it will be confusing to say you need both, unless genuinely some of the time you need prompting and then other times you need assistance.
Try and analyse what help you need. If the majority problem is that you need assistance eg because you can't peel or chop, or need help to make sure food is cooked then concentrate on that.
Dressing is a bit different in that the scores relate to different parts of the body. Explain you need help with both X and Y, and then you can add that under reg 7 Y is the higher score, and should be awarded.
If DWP ignore the higher value, then they might award the lower points rather than zero.
Explain your limitations as fully as you can and give examples. Hopefully DWP will agree!
Good luck.
LL26
If DWP are correctly applying the law, where 2 or more descriptors in a section apply equally, then the highest value should be awarded. If 2 descriptors apply unequally, then the majority version is correct.
This is Regulation 7 PIP Regs 2013.
I always think it is a good idea to explain this, if it is relevant.
However, you describe that you need prompting and assistance to cook.
As per BIS it will be confusing to say you need both, unless genuinely some of the time you need prompting and then other times you need assistance.
Try and analyse what help you need. If the majority problem is that you need assistance eg because you can't peel or chop, or need help to make sure food is cooked then concentrate on that.
Dressing is a bit different in that the scores relate to different parts of the body. Explain you need help with both X and Y, and then you can add that under reg 7 Y is the higher score, and should be awarded.
If DWP ignore the higher value, then they might award the lower points rather than zero.
Explain your limitations as fully as you can and give examples. Hopefully DWP will agree!
Good luck.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Kpow
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2 years 1 month ago #275456 by Kpow
Replied by Kpow on topic If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both?
Great and clear advice. Sincere Thanks BIS!!
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- Kpow
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2 years 1 month ago #275457 by Kpow
Replied by Kpow on topic If Two Descriptors Apply? Focus on 1 or both?
Thanks so much LL26! I have taken your advice on this and with the help of my wife we are analyzing the help required so I get the clearest picture of difficulty and which is the majority of the time. Much appreciated!
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