CASE STUDY PIP APPEAL
P is a 63-year-old gentleman who has multiple health conditions including diabetes, kidney failure and arthritis. He cannot work and is in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The client had also been in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for many years: he received the standard rate of the daily living and mobility components.
P called an ambulance after falling at his property and was rushed to hospital where he required emergency surgery to remove part of his foot. This affected his mobility. When he left hospital, he rang PIP and made them aware of this change. This phone call led to an unplanned review of his award, he was found ineligible and his PIP was stopped altogether.
P requested a mandatory reconsideration, but the decision was unchanged. He was supported by Citizens Advice to lodge an appeal and was referred to Warwickshire Specialist Benefits Service (WSBS).
As a result of his PIP stopping, P had lost the Severe Disability Premium on his ESA, his income had reduced significantly, he was struggling to afford his bills and his debts were increasing. This had a detrimental effect on his mental health, and he had contacted the ambulance service on 3 occasions to report feeling suicidal.
We supported the client to request his medical records, which provided clear evidence to support his appeal. We then wrote a submission which was a sent to the Tribunal Service along with his medical evidence. The client was also referred to the debt team for advice about his debts.
We prepared P in detail for his hearing and he was able to attend in person with support from his sister. P’s PIP appeal was successful, and he was awarded the standard rate daily living component (as before) and the enhanced rate of the mobility component for an indefinite period. He was happy with this outcome.
P was paid backdated PIP of over £6,000 which he planned to use to clear his debts. His ongoing PIP award is now £126.35 per week. His severe disability premium (SDP) of £69.40 per week has also been reinstated and he has been paid an SDP back payment of £4,000.
As he has the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, P is exempt from paying road tax, and he is planning to use the mobility component to lease a mobility scooter to increase his independence. He reports that his mental health has improved now he can once again afford his essential bills.
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP) FORM TOP TIPS
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