Good Morning Early Birds!

[waterboatman]

Tuesday. It's stopped raining, for a while anyway. Nothing on the calendar for today, so will do that! If it's not raining I might go over to Wotton-under-Edge Donkey Sanctuary and see if Pedro is still there, take him some carrots.

Have a happy day everyone.

[TonyV]

Morning after a bright start here yesterday, the heavens finely opened, although it's stopped raining now. Barometer after rising is back where is was Saturday morning (low) Discovered a puncture on car yesterday, so need to get that fixed, hopefully puncture is in a repairable area. Has a space saving spare tyre, that had low pressure, re inflated it and will see what it reads this morning.

[waterboatman]

Morning Tony. You're not having a good time of it mate! Been there. Done that. Any plans for the rest of the day?

[TonyV]

I need to do a bit of shoplifting well more than a bit quite a lot really, may put that of till tomorrow and just get essentials from local co op. Need to do some letter writing for Jen & some research into her PIP assessment scores need another 3 points to move to enhanced entitlement & make a claim for mobility portion of benefit.

[waterboatman]

That last bit needs to be done to the letter mate. It's well worth the effort though. They go through it with a fine tooth comb as they have a lot of fraudulent claims.

[TonyV]

Yes I know but I do have the written medical evidence to back up any statements I make. First time time I have had to deal with PIP rather than DLA. But printed out the list of Descriptors and points awarded, so just need to work through it logically and not over inflate, but use worst day for measuring abilities, at the moment Jen could be led very easily by a skilled assessor.

[waterboatman]

You've got it spot on mate. I wish you and Jen well with it. Give her my best please.

[TonyV]

They do accept the claim it's now just the severity of Jens impairment that we are disputing, and no award for mobility. For example I know the distance from house to doctors surgery is 322m on the rare occasion we have walked Jen normally has two stops, it's a 5 min walk for me.

[waterboatman]

She should get the Higher Rate Mobility DLA. No question Tony.
It's what I get.

[TonyV]

Well the thing that puts people of appealing I think is the fact that DWP harp on that award can go down as well as up. Being as Jen has been awarded lowest PIP so cannot get any lower so nothing to lose.

[TonyV]

Boaty have they not converted you to PIP yet then?

[waterboatman]

Nope. Apparently I'm better off as I am. The Higher Rate Mobility DLA is better, I'm told...of course they could be lying!

[dannyk13]

Good morning all.

[waterboatman]

Morning danny.

[murraymints]

morning Boaty xx Danny xx Tony xx
still raining here !

[TonyV]

I did'nt think you had a choice, and that the plan was to phase out DLA by 2018. Mind you they have made such a pigs ear of PIP roll out, maybe they have delayed introduction. Capita haven't helped after ATOS threw the towel in. (The governments partners in carrying out face to face assessments)

[TonyV]

Morning Danny and minty xx

[waterboatman]

Morning minty xxx How are you this morning?

Tony it's the old story. A system works well, so some smartarse thinks he can improve it. The can't go with the old saying. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[murraymints]

cold now hurting when I cough.. woe is me.. need to get more supplies in later...

[waterboatman]

In a way that's not too bad minty. It means it's coming to it's end, doesn't stop it hurting mind!

[TonyV]

Boaty You are right there it must be an astounding amount amount of money that has been spent & wasted, and lined quite a few peoples pockets.