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Hi, my name is PeteteachMe!

PeteteachMe
PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
edited December 2017 in PIP, DLA, and AA
My problem is different to most people re pip mobility - the assumption of dwp is that everyone can read - a skill which is not forgotten - yet as a qualified geography teacher and orienteerer my years of skill acquisition have to be forgotten in order for me to get mobility assistance. Surely this is discrimination! 

Comments

  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello PeteteachMe and welcome

    Can you tell us a little more about yourself and any help that you need ?
    What is it that means you need help with your mobility ?

    CR
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    COPD,  atrial fibrillation, irregular heartbeat, varicose eczema, 
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi PeteteachMe

    PIP is about functionality and in order to "qualify" you need to put aside your coping mechanisms for the assessment.

    Is this your first claim or a change from DLA ?
    When did you receive your decision letter ?
    Have you asked for a copy of the assessment report ?
    Have you asked for an MR ?

    As a fellow COPD sufferer I know how mobility can be affected. It is important to understand the points system, descriptors and the criteria for an award . A good place to start is the B&W self test

    http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php

    There is lots of info on this site, please have a look and come back with any questions

    CR

    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I've done the test and come out with 8 points on mobility - I know this is not enough but if the finding routes was discounted because of my professional qualifications then that would be enough as 6 would be the qualifying total 
    I'm now at the stage of an appeal to a tribunal - I score a grand total of zero as every answer I gave at interview was interpreted in their favour - when I  did the mandatory thingy they quoted me back things which were not in the original judgement and ignored any points I made in my appeal - I am only trying to get the mobility side of pip
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Your professional qualifications have nothing to do with PIP.
    I assume that you belive you are entitled to enhanced mobility but I am unsure in which way you think you qualify.

    If you could give some more detail as to where and why you should score the points we may be able to offer better advice

    What problems do you have planning and following journeys ?
    How far can you walk either aided or unaided ?

    CR
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I do not have any problems planning journeys - I am a  retired geography teacher who specialised in routes 
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Ok
    Many people can plan a journey but may not be able to follow one due to cognitive difficulties ie some people will need the assistance of a guide dog. PIP are not in the least interested in in your qualifications, only whether you can do so now.

    If you have no problem with either planning or following any journey the only points you can score will be in the Moving around section.

    If you can stand and move unaided 20 -50 metres you will score 8 points and standard mobility award
    If you can do so only with the use of an aid ie. walking frame then 10 points and still only standard rate
    If you can only do so once and then need to rest for a considerable time then you would not be considered as being able to complete the description to an acceptable or repeatable standard and the next descriptor will be applied
    12e which awards 12 points and enhanced rate

    CR
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Just like people do not forget how to read I do not forget something I have been taught at a level much higher than most people - it seems wrong that this knowledge and ability means I am no longer able to receive mobility support - if the weighting for this was less then I would be happier but 50% of the available marks are given to this meaning that because of my educational background I can no longer get any support 
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    Sorry Peter, I am trying to help you.
    Why exactly do you think you should get a mobility award ?
    You Knowledge and qualifications do not matter to PIP.
    The only thing that matters is what you can and cannot do, I used to be a long distance runner, that does not mean I can walk 100metres now.

    CR
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I can walk 20 to 50 metres when I have to stop and have a rest - I cannot score higher than 8 ( even though they gave me 0) and thus have no chance of getting pip for mobility 
  • CockneyRebel
    CockneyRebel Community member Posts: 5,209 Disability Gamechanger
    As I said above 20 - 50 metres means that you will qualify for a standard mobility award and aslo a blue badge
    If you cannot walk this distance repeatedly, you say you need to rest, or safely and if it takes you twice as long as an able bodied person, you will not be considered as beind able to complete this descriptor. You will then be allocated the 1 - 20 metere descriptor and 12 points for the enhanced rate

    So if you haven't been awarded for mobility you should ask for an MR and be prepared to go to tribunal

    I hope that helps

    CR
    Be all you can be, make  every day count. Namaste
  • PeteteachMe
    PeteteachMe Community member Posts: 7 Listener

Brightness

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