Just had me PIP renewal form through the door...

[Amanda_George]

Can't believe it's been a year already!

Steve's phoned the CAB lady who said she would come out and help me to fill in the form.

I personally think that I should be getting middle rate care and enhanced mobility 'cos I can't leave the street alone if I'm not in Patrick!

Anything is better than nothing though.

Feeling soo nervous again!

[Pip]

Is it DLA you've been getting?

On PIP and Motability it's either standard rate or enhanced and there isn't a huge difference in rates.  Hope you get a positive response back, I have to fill the forms out every three years and I initially got the enhanced rate but after I filled out the next lot it dropped to the standard rate.  What annoys me is that my mobility is worse, the pain is worse and it's harder to do simple tasks such as opening jars but they don't care. 

[Amanda_George]

I was getting DLA until last year, then had to go through applying for PIP which initially got rejected so I went to a tribunal about it and was awarded standard rate daily living on its own but if I can get that with no outside help, then I'm hopeful that I'll get it re-awarded with the CAB helping me this time!  Is it too late for you to ask for your claim to be reconsidered?  Maybe have a chat with your local CAB about it... they seem to really know their onions!

[Amanda_George]

That's all the questions answered in theory but only in a Word document instead of on the form.  I'm hoping the CAB lady will be able to work out some of the things I've said so that they are more PIP assessor appropriate.  Not going to worry about it until she comes though, too stressful to get too worried about it and she's on my side instead of the Benefit's Agency's side so I'm hoping I'll be awarded it without going to a tribunal this time.

[Pip]

I couldn't be bothered carrying on with the battle and as Rick is on the standard rate of PIP and enhanced for motability we are still better off than we used to be.  If I get the same problem next year I will battle it as my mobility is getting worse.

Hope all goes well for you 

[Amanda_George]

They seem to like rejecting claims and only approving them if you go to a tribunal!

I hope neither of us has to battle against the Benefits Agency for the money we need... doubt it'll be made easy for us though   

[Amanda_George]

The CAB lady came at lunchtime today and in just 2 questions (1 in the care and the other in mobility) I'm, in theory, entitled to the basic rate of both!  I've signed the form and she's taken it away with her along with Steve's supporting document, to work on then send to the Benefits Agency 'cos it's due in next week.  I'm hoping that I'll get higher mobility and hopefully higher care because it's not safe for me to be left alone and my mobility is so bad that I can't walk past our neighbours on either side.

Keep yer fingers crossed for me!   

[Pip]

I will do 

[Amanda_George]

Thank you Pip!