PIP change of circumstances for mobility refused - any advice

[Smallyeti]

Ive been on standard daily living rate of PIP for 4 years but wasn’t awarded anything for mobility/getting around .

The difficulties I described when I applied, haven’t changed but I have had a diagnosis of Dyscalculia recently so I filled in a change of circumstances form, attaching the diagnosis, report and reasons why they considered I definitely have it. The guy who did the test (which was online but paid for ), set up the UK Dyscalculia Centre, as well as advising and providing materials for teachers and parents. He is very knowledgeable but isn’t an educational psychologist, which i wonder has anything to do with the PIP /DWP assessors not awarding me anything. The difficulty I have finding my way even around my own area and in making sense of bills, bank statements etc is a nightmare. I book taxis, assistance at stations and airports, or there’s no way I’d get to my destination. Getting lost, being baffled by bills and bank statements and not knowing if I’ve been scammed, reduce me to tears, makes me panic and is exhausting. If I need to phone the bank or fuel or other company, I have to have someone with me when I call as I can’t understand what they’re telling me or want me to check etc. I feel a total idiot.

No reason was given other than they still can’t award me anything for mobility/getting around. Is there any way or any point in asking why they’ve turned this down or to ask for a reconsideration ? I can’t find anything online to say whether you even can appeal in this situation. Does anyone know anything about this or who to speak to? Citizens Advice has a massive waiting list. Thanks,

Dyscalculia isn't recognized for pip so you would be better off providing evidence of your difficulty eg dates & circumstances of when you have been scammed, details of when you were lost & distressed in public places eg police attendance/s136
Evidence of more widespread disability eg learning disability, mental health diagnosis.

Where is the support coming from? How many hours of social care funding do you get? Can you get assessed/reassessed. The amount of social care hours you get each week is very strong evidence.

Mobility component of pip is notoriously difficult to get for mental health/mild learning disability. I have a similar level of disability & care needs due to psychotic type illness & only been awarded mobility rate pip on a short term (1 year ) basis & that was following multiple police s136 due to being disorientated & distressed alone in public.

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration but with the evidence you describe I do not think that will be considered. You would need additional medical evidence from a GP or support worker to support your claim.

How many points would you give your self. Won't hurt to do an MR. Maybe speak to citizens advice.

Mobility activities and descriptors
Activity 1. Planning and following journeys.
a. Can plan and follow the route of a journey without help from an aid or appliance or a person. - Score 0
b. Needs reminding, encouraging, or reassuring to be able to undertake any journey to avoid it making them feel so anxious or distressed that they cannot function. - Score 4
c. Cannot plan the route of a journey - Score 8
d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog, or orientation aid. - Score 10
e. Cannot undertake any journey because it would make them feel so anxious or distressed that they cannot function. - Score 10
f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog, or an orientation aid. - Score 12
Activity 2. Moving around.
a. Can walk more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. - Score 0
b. Can walk more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. - Score 4
c. Can walk unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. - Score 8
d. Can walk using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. - Score 10
e. Can walk more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. - Score 12
f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, (i) stand; or (ii) move more than 1 metre. - Score 12

Dyscalculia isn't recognized for pip

The above isn’t true. I work in this area, on pip appeals.

You will need evidence. Stuff they can’t argue with. Supporting letters from healthcare professionals etc. Does your dyscalculia assessment report evidence your mobility needs? Do you have other evidence of needing support? If so, do a mandatory reconsideration then appeal it.

You may well satisfy descriptor d or f on a11 depending on whether you are able to follow a journey on the majority of days.

PIP is needs based, not diagnosis based, so you need evidence of need, regardless of diagnosis.

Thank you so much . Looking at that list I would def consistently meet the descriptor for d which is 10 points.

The actual mobility issues regarding physical mobility are dependant on whether my back or ankle joints issues are flaring. Most of the time I can walk even though I have constant pain. During a flare I can just about stagger to the loo or kitchen. I live in a one bed apartment which is on the flat so have no stairs to deal with. I can’t leave home till the flare has settled and can’t have a shower so can only get a wash. But flares aren’t frequent enough to qualify for mobility which I’m glad about as I’d not want to be in this state frequently.

The report from the Dyscalculia test said there are certain things I can do to try improve my maths but only if I had a very patient and committed person to help me. He said in his opinion it would be such a huge task, it would be best to accept the support of friends, neighbours and other assistance when I need it, and when I need to get to unfamiliar places, and to focus my energy on the things I can do and am good at. I did send all this along with his diagnosis. I described my difficulties when driving ie not being able to read the road and listening to Sat nav instructions at the same time. I have driven through red lights as I was focussing on the voice telling me to continue for 200 yards. I also have no clue how far 200 yards is and panic as I think I’m going to miss the next turn etc. If you need 8 points for lower rate of mobility, I do think I should get those. Until people see me in action getting around, they don’t realise how big a problem I have. They think I’m exaggerating until they see for themselves. Thanks again for the advice I really appreciate it.