PIP Letter

Hi All, What a great site I wish I had seen it earlier,

I applied for PIP in September last year, having worked for 20 years and never claimed a penny from anyone I was medically retired from work on an enhanced pension (As if I was 65). I was told by the Occupational Doctor that I would be entitled to PIP otherwise I would never have known.

Anyway I filled in the form (Stupidly with..out looking at anything or consulting others) I didn't put half the stuff down I should have but sent supporting evidence form a GP consultant and Professor all stating I should retire and the reasons why.

I suffer from COPD/Asthma and Drug resistant Hypertension.

Since I submitted the form things got worse but I didn't phone DWP I just thought I will explain at the assessment. I had to cancel the first appointment with ATOS due to a bad chest infection but attended the second with my partner last week..The lady was great and cant fault her, she listened and took note and even took copies of my amended medicine list and copies of letters she didn't have..

Anyway I got the letter today which awarded me the standard rate of Mobilty and nothing for caring. I cannot even walk to the front door without help and she was told that at the assessment. She even refused herself to give me a breathing test as she said she could see I couldn't do it without causing serious issues. I think the decision maker has gone from my form and not her report (Simply because my form was understated given it was six months ago)..

My question is how do I appeal this...Im on 3 inhales 6 times a day and 13 tablets everyday..I cannot even function on the medication..I swell up everytime I move and have to sleep downstairs as I cant get up the stairs (Again this was told to the assessor. How do I live on a pension and £21.55 a week its a joke..They wont even pay me ESA because im getting a pension.. I just need some help to appeal as I havnt got a clue...Any help will be well received..Thanks

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

I responded to a query of how to "appeal" an adverse PIP decision earlier today: Here.

Even though the advice above is with regards to a 0 points PIP decision (no award) it is still applicable in general with respect to PIP MR/Appeals.

The main difference being that as you have a Standard PIP Mobility Award, that there may be some risk to this award, as they may choose to review both Mobility & Daily Living Components.

You will need to risk assess this, e.g. did you just scrape The Mobility, with 8 points or did you receive 9, 10 or 11 points ?

You can stipulate that you only want to challenge the DL Component, but they can re- look at both.

A quick tip, if you attend an Asthma/COPD Clinic at your G.P.'s or elsewhere, results of your spirometry tests, lung age, peak flow, etc and your grading on The MRC Breathlessness Scale can be good supporting evidence to reference with respect to "Walking" limitations and or DL Care needs.

Please reply to this topic if you have further queries.

bro58

Thanks Gorden and Bro,

Ive changed the profile, appreciate it..

I was awarded 8 points for mobilty and 6 for caring. The assessor asked if I could walk form the kitchen to the door and even said "You cant can you"..I said no and she refused herself to do the spiro test...

I had put down on the form that I could walk 20 metres but I know I cant I just hated the thought of claiming anything as that's the way ive been brought up and have worked all my live as well as putting money aside for my retirement..

I am assuming the decision maker has gone from my form not hers as she was really up frot and an ex COPD nurse an understood totally what I was going though..JUst wish I could start the form again but thatnks for advice I will ring them tomorrow and give them the reasons why..Cheers.

Paul wrote: Thanks Gorden and Bro,

Ive changed the profile, appreciate it..

I was awarded 8 points for mobilty and 6 for caring. The assessor asked if I could walk form the kitchen to the door and even said "You cant can you"..I said no and she refused herself to do the spiro test...

I had put down on the form that I could walk 20 metres but I know I cant I just hated the thought of claiming anything as that's the way ive been brought up and have worked all my live as well as putting money aside for my retirement..

I am assuming the decision maker has gone from my form not hers as she was really up frot and an ex COPD nurse an understood totally what I was going though..JUst wish I could start the form again but thatnks for advice I will ring them tomorrow and give them the reasons why..Cheers.

Hi P,

If it is the case, you should state that you can walk "no further than 20 metres", explaining why, cross referencing any medical evidence as proof of why you can't.

Remember, any distance that you can walk whilst suffering pain, discomfort, fatigue or breathlessness should not be counted as a distance that you are able to walk at all.

All covered in our PIP Claims Guide.

We strongly advise that you back up any verbal request for an MR over the phone with a written formal request which must arrive back at The DWP PIP Office no later than one month after the date of the PIP Decision Notice letter.

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Paul wrote: .They wont even pay me ESA because im getting a pension.. I just need some help to appeal as I havnt got a clue...Any help will be well received..Thanks

If youre in receipt of ESA and youve always worked you must be on ESA contributions and not Income Related.
I didnt think it was means tested so regardless of you getting a pension or not shouldnt be an issue.

Someone else might tell you different as Im not sure about that.