PIP & Physical disabled people & ability to use public transport

[Sarah153]

I’ve been denied PIP because I work part time and I can use public transport.

How it is fair that any physical disabled person may be denied PIP only because he can work part time and can use public transport? At the same time, there’s plenty of complaints from other users that they’ve been denied PIP because they can drive. How it is possible? If you drive, you may be denied for PIP. If you don’t drive and you are using public transport, you may be denied for PIP either? Where's the common sense? 🤔

For the record, I don’t own a car because I work part time and I don’t have enough money to pay for a car. I work part time because of my disability I can’t work full time.

I walk twice slower than other people, I have chronic pain and I go out of the house only if it’s totally necessary for example work.
I even didn’t get the lower mobility rate, how it is possible?

How it is possible that a physical disabled person may not get any kind of government help? Do you think it is fair? Apart from it, all physical disabled people struggle at least a little bit with their mental health, even if they put a big smile and say they are ok.

It’s very complex but I think it’s a bit of a lottery as to who does the assessment and how you answer the questions. I am senior in a traditional profession, drive and work part time. I get lower rate mobility.

Have you gone through the scoring criteria and asked for mandatory reconsideration and so on?

some decisions seem so arbitrary and to make little sense. I got standard rate for daily care but nothing for mobility. I said I can only rarely use public transport for a whole variety of physical reasons. when my neck and back problems are bad I can’t drive either as I can’t get in and out the car or turn my neck properly As this doesn’t happen often enough (about once a month, but totally unpredictable so have no idea when my back is going to ‘go’, I didn’t get any mobility.

I was totally surprised that I got the daily living part as the report said that assessor got no indication I was in pain! It was a phone assessment and id taken my usual dose of muscle relaxants and very strong painkillers and was in bed propped up. Was this on the basis I wasn’t howling with pain or groaning . I have no clue.

It seems unreasonable in your case too. Just because you can use PT doesn’t mean it’s easy, that it doesn’t involve far more time and effort than it would for the majority of people , seems pretty crap. I would appeal and explain why you disagree with the decision.

The descriptor that ask about making a journey, using public transport is more related to mental health really, whether you can go out alone, whether you are at risk . Then there is the other mobility descriptor that looks at how far you can walk. You need to be able to walk less than 20m to get enhanced mobility. however they should consider whether you can do this safely, reliably within a reasonable timeframe. If you do not agree with the award you have been given then you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration and try to submit extra evidence to support it. Are you close to state retirement age - my own theory is that they try to avoid giving people mobility components as they know that once you pass state retirement age they will likely have to keep paying it for the rest of your life. A lot of my clients recently have just been awarded daily living component when actually poor mobility is their main problem !

They just turned down my autistic DS. They said he can travel independently because he can use Google maps and he can prepare his own meals as he can use a microwave. They just don't understand the level of support needed like going with him to reduce anxiety, helping with paying bus fare, what to do if transport changes - cancellation etc, actually obtaining food to microwave, washing up after - having washing up liquid in and tea towel washed etc. the entire assessment is far too simplistic.

They are meant to consider if you can cook a simple meal on a hob at waist level.

So he may be able to plan a journey but not actually undertake it. Has real and justifies worries he cannot cope with it going wrong or even just with the possibiliy it might go titzup?

There's your focus for a MR and if needs be appeal.

This is spot on in my experiences

Andylippy1. If I got anything, I expected it to be the mobility rather than the daily living allowance. I’m 62 so wonder if getting closer to retirement was a factor. I have a degenerative condition so maybe they wanted to get a few more years before I attempt to try for it again.

Op, look into whether you qualify for a free disabled person's bus pass or whether taxis could be funded to and from work under Access to Work.
I had neurosurgery a few months ago to remove a brain tumour which was causing me to have seizures, and I get PIP. I can't remember which sleep 're I get.
I don't have the seizures post surgery but I still can't drive and there are other issues such as fatigue. There is still a bit of the tumour left which is being monitored. I suppose I should inform them the seizures have stopped but I can't work full time and I honestly couldn't afford to lose my PIP.
I now work only a mile or so from home but my previous job was in a rural area about right miles from home with no public transport so I got taxis, the majority of which were funded by Access to Work.
I would also appeal the PIP decision.

I got denied PIP this year after a 7 month wait between application and assessment, because apparently my two lifelong conditions that I was born with are "not expected to last more than 3 months".
I don't know if it's worth it to keep pushing if they lie this much.

You need to do the reconsideration stage. Lots of people are turned down initially, only to be awarded it after reconsideration. Gather all your evidence too.

It's down to scoring. My DP can't use bus as can't walk to the bus stop, but can drive. No PIP.
PIP seems easier to get if you are neurodiverse rather than only having physical issues.

I have physical issues only, work full time and drive and I receive high rate care and mobility...

My lad, when applying for PIP, after his DLA expired at 16, scored zero points. His autism will never improve.

I basically told them to read the application again and, lo and behold, he got enhanced mobility and care compenent.

Appeal and appeal until you get it. They turn down lots of applications, thinking that the malingerers and chancers wouldn't bother with appeals.

I applied for the mobility element of PIP just under 18 months ago. I reached state pension age this week. My mobility issues relate to having COPD which means I can't walk very far.

I focussed my application on the mobility element rather than daily living element and described exactly how long it took me to walk anywhere using three recent trips out I had taken. I noted the number of times I had to stop on the walk because of breathlessness and even included little maps. I also explained I had a blue badge from the council and worked full-time. I had to drive because the bus stop was too far away for me to walk in one 'go'.

Had my telephone interview and was delighted to find I had been awarded enhanced rate mobility very shortly afterwards with no need to go through MR or anything. I had only been expecting standard rate at best.

So, moral of the tail, focus really hard on the descriptors and use real-life examples of when you did something and how your condition affected it. Also, in my case, the fact I was so close to retirement didn't seem to make any difference.

tail=tale! Doh!

Do mandatory reconsideration and then tribunal of necessary. Most first attempts are denied. Any payment will be back dates to when you first applied.

I got awarded standard rate for both this year - physical issues only and degenerative and incurable but didn't qualify for enhanced mobility because I can walk 20m, albeit with a stick and only in certain circumstances.

But now, I can't drive with the pedals because of weakness in my legs and ankles and have had to pay out to get our car adapted privately with hand controls. If I was on enhanced, I'd get a Motability car with the adaptations included. There's absolutely nothing in the descriptors about needing adaptations which seems wrong.

Years ago when it was mobility allowance disabled people were "allowed" to have an actual life PIP awarding is a disgrace and inhumane . Appeal the decision then go to tribunal if you have to.

Yes, I’ll apply for MR and I’ll go to the tribunal if I’ll have to. But I feel totally let down that I must do it, despite being physically disabled, with an obvious disability. If there would have been a reasonable reason why I don’t qualify for PIP especially mobility rate, I wouldn’t have been so upset.

I bet if I would have had a car, they will have said that because I drive, I can plan and follow a journey on my own, I can't get the mobility rate. When the main reason for me driving will be that I can’t walk.

I was refused because I could negotiate a journey on public transport!

I think PIP let down a lot of physical disabled people and need some changes, with common sense in mind regarding all physical disabled people. I understand that with mental health issues is harder to know the full story, but with physically disabled people is quite easy, they can see the disability in person, is not something what a disabled person can hide or lie about.

For example, why would a wheelchair user even complete the PIP form? It’s quite obvious that they will struggle with everything and need to awarded enhanced rate for mobility and daily activity. Even if they learned to do everything on their own and can live alone.

Same with blind, deaf, or people with only one arm. Let’s assume they are all physically fit, can walk and run. They learned how to cook, bath, get dressed, take a journey, and have a full-time job despite their disability. Does it mean that they don’t deserve any kind of government help? How it is fair?

The point of PIP was to help physically disabled people and people with mental health issue. And at the end, physically disabled people who obviously have some kind mental health issue too, may not get help. 😥

That’s why I’m confused and angry with PIP. They tell what suits them. Because your DP can drive, he wasn't awarded mobility rate, because I can use PT, I wasn't awarded mobility rate either, is total nonsense.

Clearly, they can't expect us to use only taxi, it's expensive to use it every day, twice a day. If I could afford a taxi, every day, twice a day I wouldn't bother to apply for PIP.

Well done! I admire you for working full time.

May I know if you got it straight away, or you had to do MR and go to the tribunal?