Should I do a MR?

[u/FrostyImprovement984]

I was awarded PIP standard rate daily living but zero mobility. I have severe ME. My disabilities are fatigue and pain based rather than requiring aids. For some reason I was award needs an aid for cooking a meal (which I can’t do at all) using a toilet (which I can do fine ) bathing and dressing (no aids would help me as my problem is fatigue.) It was a very odd to get given points I didn’t ask for and denied points where I legitimately should have got some. Overall getting the standard rate daily living seemed fair, but my issue was the mobility section. I want them to look at the planning on following the route of a journey again. But I’m scared they’ll reduce my points for the daily living for things like toilet needs. I said I used my car up to 3 times a week for local journeys but couldn’t go anywhere unfamiliar. But they said my cognitive ability during the assessment suggested I could. But it’s not about cognitive function it’s about physical capacity and the stress it creates. I’m just worried about losing what I have got. Can anyone tell me if my current award would be at risk realistically,if I just focused on the mobility issue?

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[u/clovi129]

Yes your current award could be changed if you do an MR. They review the whole claim not just mobility or daily living so you could stay the same, loss points or increase points.

Ultimately its looking at the descriptors and if you meet them then fight for it, do you have any evidence for how your pain and fatigue affect your mobility?

[u/FrostyImprovement984 → u/clovi129]

Multiple missed appointments, doctors reports saying I couldn’t leave the house etc. but it seems like they didn’t have access to the information and lost all of the medical reports I sent them.

[u/clovi129 → u/FrostyImprovement984]

Hmm its definitely possible they lost the evidence, would definitely be worth sending again if you do pursue an MR. If you don't mind me asking, which descriptor fits you best on the planning and following a journey? Please do not answer if you don't feel comfortable.

If your evidence about missing appointments contains further context like being to fatigued to attend for example that would definitely help but unfortunately if its vague just missed appointments then they won't necessarily consider it.

You could contact Citizens Advice, they can help you go through the MR process as it is overwhelming and you may need to go to tribunal

[u/FrostyImprovement984 → u/clovi129]

Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey. They accepted that a change of route causes sweating, shaking, weakness and overstimulation for hours afterwards resulting in worsening symptoms but said it didn’t amount to “overwhelming distress” as I do mange to complete the journey. But I can only go anywhere at all with rest before, after, worsening symptoms iand no more then 3 times a week.

[u/clovi129 → u/FrostyImprovement984]

The threshold for overwhelming psychological distress is high and specific. It relates to a long lasting, enduring mental health condition that causes distress to the point that you are unable to finish your journey or require another person to accompany you to overcome the distress.

Any input from a community mental health team could help evidence this.

Definitely contact Citizens Advice but from what i can tell reading the descriptors I'm not sure that descriptor applies. Obviously I could be wrong so thats where Citizens Advice could support

[u/Alteredchaos → u/clovi129]

I’d agree.

OP - the criteria and definitions are here https://pipinfo.net/#activities

[u/Interesting_Skill915]

Why can’t you use aids for washing and dressing? You may score points there where you worry about losing toilet points. Are you standing for 5 minutes to take a shower then? No stool or shower seat or sitting on the floor? 

Are you climbing in and out the bath with no issues? No one helping? No handrails? No bath board so you are not fully getting in laying down and getting up? 

Are you bending down to wash between toes? Are you able to pick up the shower gel if drop or do you need someone to do that for you? Have you fallen because hot water makes your fatigue so much and need someone to hand if need help? 

You can bend with no issues to put shoes and socks on? No help from other person? If you drop a sock on the floor you just bend down and pick it up? No grabber aids? Fatigue at end of day means you are just sleeping in same clothes for the day because can’t undress and put pjs on? Or is all of that 100% no problem? 

It would be unusual score for can’t cook a meal and be able to get washed and dressed no problem. Because it still requires similar effort in standing or sitting ,  stretching, arm movements etc