Hello everyone I have not been on here for a while.
I have pip and am very grateful for it I received at the time 10 out of 12 for my mobility.
I now have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis which is affecting my mobility greatly so I now have a really difficult decision to make do I let the dwp know.
My husband thinks I should but I am so scared they take money of me instead as I took me a long time to get any sort of benefits.
I know nobody can tell me what to do but just to get somebody elseâs view on the subject would be a great help.
Hi, what I think you`re asking is, can you get more money for your mobility issues? Is that right?
Well PIP has 2 mobility ratesâŚlower and higher.
If you are already on the higher rate, you cant go any higher than that?
Or are you wondering if you might qualify for the care rate? The thing about trying to get an enhanced rate, is that you do risk losing what you already have, which in my humble opinion is just plain daftâŚbut they do warn us of this, as if we are going to need less as opposed to more help!
So at present, with 10 points for mobility, you qualify for the standard rate of PIP for mobility. The qualification for that is that you can walk between 20 and 50 metres.
The qualification for the enhanced rate is that you canât walk 20 metres (and of course itâs all about safely, reliably and repeatedly).
If you now feel that your osteoarthritis means than your maximum walking distance has reduced to under 20 metres, then it should be reported as a change because you could qualify for more. Of course this means that the award is reviewed in its entirety, which is Iâm sure what worries you.
Strictly speaking of course, even if the distance you can walk remains the same, it is a change in your circumstances so you should report it. But if you are still managing to walk between 20 and 50 metres, then essentially itâs not a change that would require a re-evaluation of your award.
Maybe the correct action would be to write to the DWP to tell them of the change, but stress that itâs not made a material change to your walking ability.
On the other hand, if your Daily Living is affected by the new condition as well as or instead of your walking ability, then you might want to have your whole claim reviewed.
In a way youâre stuck between a rock and a hard place. You probably wouldnât lose what youâve got now. But there is no one who can guarantee that.
Do you have a CAB advisor, or someone else who can help? If so, try to get their advice.
Sorry Poll I probably havenât worded it very well.
At the moment I get standard amount for care plus standard amount for mobility but what I was trying to say was that I was only 2 points of getting enhanced rate for mobility.
So do I let dwp know about my osteoarthritis and maybe get the extra 2 points to get enhanced rate for Mobility.
When you are assessing yourself, the law says that you only count as being able to do something if you can do it safely; to an acceptable standard; repeatedly and in a reasonable time period. Guidance also says that âpain, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea and motivationâ should all be taken into account.
12. Moving around.
12 a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points 12 b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points 12 c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points 12 d. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points 12 e. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points 12 f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, â(i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points
So therefore if you get pain; distress after 1 metre but stumble along for 25 metres you can only walk one metre.
Nobody can say âgo for itâ in case you donât; so itâs up to you. Personally; if I could; Iâd be kicking myself letting them get away with something Iâm entitled to.