PIP - Balance Problems

ESA Headache

You must be able to reliably walk for PIP so it is possible that your condition would prevent you from doing so.

If your ESA was awarded due to Mobility problems then this would help a PIP application.

Have a look at our PIP Claim guide for the specific criteria you would need to meet for a successful claim and for more details about what "reliably" means.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

Gordon

ESA Headache

I am afraid there is no clear definition of what reliably would mean in connection with walking

I often find it easier when answering questions like this on the forum to turn the question around, so what circumstances would allow you to walk without problem?

You say that when outside you need to walk next to a wall or to hold on to someone, I assume that this means that using a stick would not offer sufficient support, what about a walker where you would be supporting yourself with both hands?

If an aid might help you, then it is likely that the Decision Maker will consider ones usage as well so if such an aid would not help, then you need to explain why this would be the case, for example, if you had Arthritis in your hands then using a walker would be prohibited.

It would help if you can also show that the distance you can walk is restricted, otherwise you will be wholly reliant on showing that distances should be excluded due to reliability.

Gordon

ESA Headache wrote: Thank you Gordon

My neurological condition causes me problems holding onto anything reliably. I have tried to use sticks, crutches etc but due to the fact that it is not my legs, well apart from 1 ankle that lacks much movement due to having a spiral fracture of tibia and fibula many years ago and the way that the bones were reset they are not exactly in the correct position, i.g straight. It is my balance that is the problem and so sticks/ crutches etc don't help that as they cause me more problems as when I vere from side to side I trip up on them

Then I would say that the things that you mention in this post and the last one would be a good basis for explaining why you cannot walk reliably even with an aid.

Gordon