Pip appeal

[PIPapp]

Shamelessly posting for traffic.

Received nil points. MR then appeal, awarded high rate daily and low rate care 5 years ago.

Award just renewed and came out the same without another assessment - paper exercise. MR, no change.

I might appeal as think it should be higher rate mobility. Any suggestions? What are the chances of my award being lowered?

High. If you have the evidence for the additional points in mobility, then do it. Remember it's likely gonna be a tribunal you have to convince.

They threaten that if you appeal/disagree, they could lower your award but I have never known that actually happen.

In your case you have a previous successful claim, so unless your condition is one that is likely to get better, I really can't see how you can lose by appealing.

It is anyone's guess to be honest. Do you have medical evidence that your mobility needs are high?

If a tribunal is proposing to lower your award they will give you a chance to withdraw the appeal first.

We can't tell you your chances without knowing why you think you meet the higher rate mobility criteria and what evidence you have to support this

When you submitted your form, did you clearly indicate changes in mobility? Did you check it against scoring criteria to make sure it matches the higher rate? Unless you are only able to walk under 20 meters and/or need supervision when travelling in the community, it's pretty unlikely that you would qualify for the higher rate. But it doesn't hurt to appeal.

Thanks for all responses.

@Nonametonight is that definite or does it depend on the tribunal panel?

Since being initially awarded pip my health has deteriorated so much I was medically retired from the council at the highest tier, which took ages as it’s unusual.

I have various autoimmune conditions which do fluctuate and also have significant MH issues and am on lifelong meds for those on the advice of Psych. My conditions will not improve. I have no further evidence to submit, I’ve submitted everything.

You would need to look at which descriptor/s you feel you meet for the extra points and what evidence you have of that, in the mobility area.

I would make sure you have an absolute water tight pile of evidence for high rate mobility before considering challenging them. You could lose the award you have, or some of it, which isn't worth the risk based on 'thinking' you should get high rate. You have to know the criteria and be able to evidence why you should have been awarded more points.

It sounds like you really need to check the criteria for high rate mobility. Just because your health has got worse, that doesn't mean you necessarily meet the criteria
Turn2us website has a tool which takes you through questions and estimates what award you might get

You asked whether tribunal panel would definitely give you a chance to withdraw your appeal if they're considering a lower award.
As far as I know they are supposed to do this, but don't always, and will often be quite subtle about hinting that you might want to withdraw

I empathise but assessors don't look at your health diagnoses. PIP is based on function so unless you can demonstrate/describe/evidence that your mobility is affected by your condition it really makes little difference how many diagnoses you have or what your prognosis is.

Thanks for all responses.

The impact of my fibromyalgia and RA fluctuate throughout the day. First thing of a morning I can’t move. Literally struggle to get out of bed or get to the toilet. After an hour or so it’s
much better but the problem is repeating tasks. I can push myself to walk a bit further etc but then I have fatigue and have to have a lie down or a nap. It’s all hard to evidence and I never remember to keep a diary for to exhaustion and brain fog.

I panic if I can’t park im the same car park, on the same level and prefer the same space. I’m not great with unfamiliar journeys - I’m ok if I’m stuck on the motorway etc but get overwhelmed and have a panic attack if I’m diverted.

If I didn’t take heavy duty mood stabilisers and have regular therapy my social anxiety and CPTSD/anxiety/depression/motivation would be much worse. I just don’t score any points on the planning/following a journey etc. Its not the planning, it’s the following. I don’t use public transport alone.

Honestly I think you'll struggle to include your mh issues as part pf your mobility appeal. I'd focus on fm instead.

Is there an advocacy group who could help in wording? In Ayrshire we have a group called CHAP. Can you see if there is a group like that as part of your councils services?

Thanks for responses and suggestions

OP I think I am in the same boat, last time they tried to give me the points for mental health for the higher mobility for 'planning and following a journey" and I went and said I think it is more unfamiliar journeys really!

But they also had written down earlier I manage journeys locally less than half the week. So this time (I am under review) I wonder if I might get the higher amount.

If you do struggle with local journeys you could appeal. It is up to you. There is a useful site here and I will link to a couple of others as well, which might be useful.

https://pipinfo.net

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/

I think you do have a risk they may take points away but that would be unlikely, especially if a previous appeal had awarded you them, but they have to warn you first and you can say stop.