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.

This jumps out from your opening post.

"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?"

If you can do something but it takes you more than twice the time to do that thing, then it's counted as not being able to do that thing for PIP

The assessor should consider whether you can do this thing, safely, reliably within a reasonable timeframe.

I'm filling in the forms with as much guidance as I can find right now.

I'd advise you to ask for a copy of the assessors report, then challenge it.
Ask for mandatory reconsideration then take it to tribunal.

We had enhanced this on everything so I didn't even read the award letter as I was just grateful it was over. Now I'm being reviewed I've realised they had scored wrong on a few sections.

It's a pain to take it further but do, if you can.

Pip is so random at times. I have a young person who can't drive or use public transport and can't work who got awarded zilch. Currently appealing.

The planning and following a journey descriptor is more to do with mental health.

PIP is equally/ more difficult to get if you are neurodiverse.

My DS got DLA from about 7 yo and once he had to move on to PIP got zero points. I asked for the report and it was total lies. Amongst other things, the assessor said that because he was working full time in a call centre then he wasn't entitled to PIP - PIP is an in-work benefit!

I put in an MR and quoted their report line by line saying why it was wrong, and got it awarded and backdated.

He has had another assessment this week and I'm pretty sure that because he can now drive (an automatic only) they are going to turn him down again.

PIP has the lowest fraud rate of all benefits, yet everyone is treated as if they are lying. It is completely unfair that someone with a long term health condition who is already disadvantaged has to fight so hard to get a benefit designed to help.

Always always go to MR , I just had mine stripped and in the period between ls award and renewal conditions had worsened and I’d had a stroke - as part of the reasoning they mentioned the fact I work means I am motivated - I was furious , how dare they use the fact I struggle to work to pay my mortgage and bills against me

If it makes you feel any better, my child is neurodiverse with behavioural difficulties and complex needs requiring day and night care and constant supervision to prevent injury and they wasn't awarded enhanced child disability payment even though by their own criteria they are more than eligible

It really is arbitrary as to whom you get as an assessor. If people have a physical condition from birth or an accident eg lost a leg and have to use a prosthetic. They have had PIP in the past for this same condition. Suddenly on reapplying it is suddenly and unexpectedly denied. I just don't see how they think a miracle has occurred and suddenly a person has grown a new leg. This happened to a friend of mine. He had to do a MR and then the decision was reversed. A lot of money and time is being wasted on these stupid first decisions that are so clearly wrong. Makes me wonder if they have a quota of rejections to meet?

I've had a few clients recently who were awarded PIP very easily for mental health issues, one where the onset was recent and no real evidence that it would last beyond the nine months, I was pleasantly surprised she was awarded it, although only daily living despite being unable to go out alone. She didn't want to face an MR. That is another difficult issue for claimants, that if they do ask for an MR the whole award is looked at again so you can risk losing what you've already been awarded. It is a gamble and makes people scared sometimes to challenge.

Have been in receipt since 2014 and been reassessed in 2017, 2020 and 2022. 2017 was paper based, 2014 and 2017 were face to face and 2022 was a phone assessment. Each time awarded after the initial assessment.

I have RA, chronic pain, endometriosis, trigeminal neuralgia, use a mobility scooter (including when I'm in the office) and work from home 3 days per week.

I have a hoist in my motability car for my scooter and steering balls.

Hi, I'm.not 100% clear on which activity you believe you should score in but of it is a purely physical difficulty you have it would be activity 12 only. Activity 11 is only considered with mental health, cognitive difficulties and sensory needs.

Hi, I'm.not 100% clear on which activity you believe you should score in but of it is a purely physical difficulty you have it would be activity 12 only. Activity 11 is only considered with mental health, cognitive difficulties and sensory needs.

May I know, what makes you think, that a physical disabled person, who scored four points on activity 12 and is unable to walk more than 200 metres won’t have mental health issues?

Is good to know that you received PIP after the initial assessment👏

Your story is a good example that not all people who do PIP assessments are unreasonable. Some of them do a good job.

Your friend’ story with PIP assessment makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

I can’t even imagine what kind of person initially denied your friend’ PIP award. Is good to know it was awarded back after MR.

I feel for you.

I’m the same as you, furious because they used my part time work and use of public transport against me. It’s obvious that I can’t starve to death, I have to pay my rent and I’ll work, even if I feel unwell. My mental health issues were totally dismissed.

I’ll definitely apply for MR.

''It is completely unfair that someone with a long term health condition who is already disadvantaged has to fight so hard to get a benefit designed to help.'' -
I totally agree with you.

The reason I asked was because you kept mentioning physical issues and I wanted to clarify if you did also have MH difficulties. You did not need to be so rude in your reply.

The reason you would not have scored for MH when you are working is that you will not have reached the "OPD" (overwhelming psychological distress) threshold.

I think they deny the first application for everyone.

In my appeal I said if I could use my legs as they said I wouldn't pay £1500 for car adaptions.

They sent a letter back saying that because I can drive I had strength and dexterity in my legs / feet.

The day before tribunal someone actually read the letter and they awarded me PIP.

Incidentally I had been receiving DLA for a couple of decades.

Fight it.

DD1 has ASD, a brain malformation and an eating disorder. She got enhanced mobility because she can't leave the house unattended.

This was my recent experience. First time claimant for a mental health condition. Awarded enhanced daily and standard mobility for three years. I wouldn't say it was 'easy' but there does seem to be a specific way you need to answer the questions. The cruel joke is that most people who apply are too sick, exhausted, or impaired in some way to find the work arounds.

OP - I would strongly advise getting help filling in the MR forms. Try the CAB in the first instance. If they don't have the resources ask them to signpost you elsewhere, i.e. disability charities. They will know exactly what to put to work around the blatant unfairness of the questions. Best of luck.

It’s not easy is it. I have been awarded PIP and am waiting for the letter which hasn’t arrived within 2 weeks as text said it would. Looking at back payment I don’t think I have mobility. I really can’t walk far at all and I am going to have to get some help and go for MR.

Lots of the clients I help with PIP forms have been awarded first time. But I agree with others that there seems sometimes to be no logic in who is awarded it. Some people who I think will have no problem are turned down and others who I think will be turned down get awarded. I know people hate face to face assessments but I think since most of these have stopped in recent years, it also means it's harder to assess, especially if little medical evidence to support.

Just be aware if asking for an MR, they will look at the whole award again, they can take points away as well as add them.

I’ve never known anyone get points taken away though. The data shows that loads are refused or under assessed on first go, a larger number increase after MR and even more at tribunal.

Yes this you really need to keep at it as stressful as it is.