PIP and benefit question

[Surfer01]

In 2010 I was granted DLA indefinitely as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and worn joints in the lower part of my back which can be painful at times. I have been using elbow crutches for the past 11 years due to pain in my right leg around the knee. I was told by the physio pepole that it is best to use two crutches otherwise I may cause more damage to my back.

 

I am 68 at present and retired however my DLA is being stopped and I need to move across to PIP as I was born after April 1948. I used DIAL as the advisor to help with the PIP forms. On the form I indicated that a home visit is preferred as I do not like going into the town. I submitted the forms to Capita who are handling it.

 

Today in the post I got an appointment in the town for a medical with a health professional. I phoned up and stated that I would prefer to have the appointment done at home however they were having none of it stating that I had not supplied sufficient medical evidence to justify a home visit?

 

I am now wondering what they mean by insufficient medical evidence as I submitted copies of reports from the specialists. Surely they would have contacted the specialist for my RA and also my doctor about my other ailments?

 

This has me very concerned and a bit stressed out as not sure what they are looking for at the medical which is this Wednesday as I do not want to have to go through the appeal process.

[Nystagmite]

The problem from what I've read, is that they will argue that if you can get to your GP surgery, you can get to an assessment centre. (although, in my case, my surgery is about 30 metres from my flat - assessment centre is other side of the city)

 

Did you submit any evidence stating why you can't travel?

[reallymadwoman]

They won't obtain any medical evidence themselves, they will rely on what you put on your form and their opinion of your limitations. It's not uncommon for the assessor to totally ignore medical evidence if they even bother to read it. Also, if they're anything like ATOS, no one with any sense will have read anything you submitted before deciding you must have a face-to-face assessment, and all anyone will have read is your name and address - the bit on the form about adjustments you might need to attend an assessment is there purely for show.

 

I'd heard Capita were more amenable to home visits, but certainly ATOS will only do a home visit if you supply proof that you can't leave the house.

[Surfer01]

Thanks. Really concerned if they will try any devious tricks at the medical.

[spitfire1964]

Record it.

[Nystagmite]

Unless you have their permission, they can stop it if they find out.

[spitfire1964]

So ask for their permission.

 

And take a witness.

 

We all know they lie.

[Heckler]

You have the right to have it recorded in full, but take a second device with you to record it as well... You can refuse any assessment if they refuse to record it and if you turn up and they say the equipment is broken, you do not have to stay and they have to reschedule it.

[Cpt Scarlet]

You don't have a legal right to have it recorded, recordings are at the discretion of the assessment provider although there should be no reason why they would refuse providing they can find an assessor who agrees to it as well.

 

PIP assessments have to be recorded by the claimant the AP won't provide the equipment.

 

The DWP have made it clear that a failure to record the assessment on the day, whatever the reason, will not be accepted as Good Cause for failing to participate in the assessment.

[Surfer01]

Not too worried about recording as my concern is questions as I misunderstand things and answer incorrectly especially if it is a "trick" type of question..

 

I did not even make it into the room. By the time I got out of the car, walked to reception I was exhausted and breathless. Sat in the waiting area and got called. I did not even make made it halfway when legs and back gave way. Wife told me that the assessment room was down a very long corridor and a lot further than 20 meters!

Now I have to wait for a home appointment as could not make it to the assessment room. Quite annoying as I requested a home visit in the first place as I knew I would have issues

 

Capita are unbelievable! I could not even make it into the interview room and their appointed health professional had to help me back to the waiting room. She then said that she would arrange a home visit as it was obvious I could not walk far. Yesterday Capita contacted me again stating that I must go back to the same medical center for an assessment and would not listen to me when I explained that I could not walk the distance due to back issues which are being dealt with my a chiropractic at present. This treatment is at my own cost. Now they want a letter from my doctor.

[reallymadwoman]

Shame you didn't get the name of the HCP, they could hardly lie if asked directly.

[Surfer01]

My wife has been claiming the enhanced Daily Living element of PIP. 

She also gets her State Pension. 

 

Unfortunately now she can barely walk 10m due to a medical issue and unlikely to be cured,

 

apparently as she gets State Pension she apply for and cannot get the mobility element of PIP.  As she already gets the enhanced Daily Living element of PIP she cannot also claim Attendance Allowance. 

 

She is or was my carer, but now I care for her as much as possible and she is now severely disabled however I am struggling a bit at times. 

 

I get the enhanced element of DLA and Mobility. 

We are not sure if she is entitled to any other benefits? 

 

Please advise. 

 

Thanks.

[honeybee13]

Have you tried this website, Surfer? It's worth checking.

 

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

BENEFITS-CALCULATOR.TURN2US.ORG.UK

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Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to.

 

HB

[Surfer01]

Thanks.  Forgot about them.

[unclebulgaria67]

Age UK worth contacting

 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/benefits-calculator/

 

They have a freephone advice line  0800 055 6112. Lines are open 8am-7pm 7 days a week.

[Surfer01]

I did look at their website, but it gets confusing what to complete due to the benefits and pensions we receive which are state and occupational.  The occupational ones are a lot less than £500 a year between us.  I think we will need to sit down with a benefits advisor. 

 

Seems weird that once if you reach state pension age you cannot claim mobility even if you already claim PIP Daily Living Allowance.  Not sure I understand the reasoning behind this?

 

I suffer with RA which makes movement painful at times unless I dose on steroids and for obvious reasons I prefer to avoid this route.  We now both help one another, but at the moment it is only OH who has been claiming carer's allowance.  Not sure if we can both get it or some sort of credit towards it, but do not want to abuse the system.

 

As the issue with OH is a rare form of vasculitis it may be months if ever before OH recovers, but in the meantime at appears she has more medication than food or drink.

Edited August 31, 2022 by dx100uk
unnecessary previous post quote removed

[unclebulgaria67]

I would think the mobility help on PIP cannot be claimed after state pension age, as local Council authorities have the budget for help with keeping mobile e.g. bus passes and other help they offer.

 

Government adds benefit restrictions often because they don't want funding duplications in the system.

[Surfer01]

Without the mobility element of PIP I am unsure how OH can apply for a Blue Badge?  Any suggestions?

[unclebulgaria67]

Can apply to local Council Authority, but ask them what info they need. Explain cannot get PIP mobility once over state pension age. They will know this already and have a process to issue blue badge where there is no automatic qualification via a benefit.

[stu007]

I have to agree with the above you need to check the Local Authorities website to see how to apply for a Blue Badge as each Local Authority in the UK may be different on how to apply and what they require for your application for the Badge.

 

Something to note if you do this and get the Blue Badge is when it comes to renewing the badge Local Authorities no longer send out a letter telling you it is due to expire and you need to renew it is up to you the individual to make sure you re apply for a New Blue Badge before your previous one expires.

 

Also to note is different Local Authorities in the UK will either charge a cost for the Blue Badge but some don't (the ones the don't is rare) and the costs differ between Local Authorities in the UK

[Surfer01]

I get a renewal email notice and the cost to renew is £10.