Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replacing DLA

[dolfrog]

You will need to read this Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from Disability Alliance

Thank you dolfrog. Interesting reading...

Now I'm really worried. DS has profound learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, but can walk (badly) and talk (largely nonsense).

On skim reading, it seems to be an assessment that acknowledges the needs of those with severe physical and medical needs, but not necessarily those with the sort of behavioural issues that mean every area of their lives is affected. No reference to mental health issues either...?

Some of the questions are very badly worded too. Interesting how the amounts aren't laid out either. They must have been set so they can see what kind of savings they will make.

My daughter who can walk and talk would rack up a score of 26 on the first questions currently and I can't imagine a dramatic change in the next two years.

It seems to be similar to the PCA they used to use for Incapacity Benefit (now ESA).

Looks a better system to me.

Very much depends on the amounts though.

WetAugust, why do you think it is a better system?

Ds1 should keep both at an enhanced rate. I was worried that the mobility part would only consider physical needs - but he should score 15 from the planning bit alone (despite his savant skills on google maps )

It is just the outline of a system. When people start scoring too highly it will get chaged in a flash.

Sorry 'changed in a flash'

Well, I am quite looking forward to the meeting with the independent medical assessor! Roll on chaos as DS attacks them/talks nonsense/does a big poo mid-meeting etc

Actually I think it will be slightly easier for people with Autistic Spectrum disorders but more difficult for people who have mobility/walking difficulties who can walk but have problems with pain on walking. I work in benefits advice so this has been discussed heavily in work.

Obvioulsy the "cooking test" wont apply to under 16's, but my DD has Aspergers so I looked at the indicators.

Needs prompting to take nutrition. - Score 4
Needs assistance to groom. - Score 2
Needs supervision or prompting to bathe. ? Score 2
Needs either (i) prompting to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed; or (ii) assistance or prompting to select appropriate clothing. ? Score 2
Needs communication support to express or understand basic verbal information. ? Score 8
(The basic verbal information could be looked at the fact that ASD kids take things "literally", and the miscommunication and understanding)-so a score of 18 points which gives her enhanced rate on Daily Activity Living.Even if they decide that it would be complex instructions-she still get 14 points-again enhanced rate

Now mobility
Needs either (i) supervision, prompting or a support dog to follow a journey to a familiar destination; or (ii) a journey to a familiar destination to have been planned entirely by another person. - Score 15

Think of an ASD child getting a bus-my child can do this. However going my draft legislation if 50% of the time she needs journey planned,this would apply. If you think of a child who can get bus to school, but then something goes wrong eg bus is late,breaks down, someone upsets her/insert any incidence that could cause a meltdown, she could then qualify for enhanced rate of mobility, which she doesnt get at the moment. So,potentially could be easier for ASD child to actually get more money,if follows through.

My concern is with mobility issues though because it appears that an awful lot of people that qualify under the current legislation are going to be stuffed. Cos unless you actually need or use a wheelchair,you arent going to get High rate mobility.Which means a HUGE problem for people with Motability cars, as the Govt have not stated whether only people on enhanced rate are going to keep their cars, and that is going to throw a lot of disabled people into poverty.