They’ve been blatantly ignoring the fact I have an assistance dog, despite all of the medical evidence and person statements about her

Unusually positive but I’m one of the few positive stories I’ve heard of. Currently going through my review and am dreading a less favourable outcome based on their definition of assistance dogs. It’s such a stressful process and a lot of my award is based on the use of my assistance dog in every aspect of my life

They have an incredibly poor understanding of Assistance Dogs. Originally they referred to him as a pet and used the fact that I had a pet against me and my claim. They said as I have a dog and walk him, anything I said about being able to be out the house independently was not valid. They did award me full mobility on appeal, after I explained that it is through his support that I am able to leave the house. I was fortunate to have a care team intricately detail how he supports me. Detailing how he is in place of a person. If I needed a person in order to be able to get out the house, I would receive full rate. I and my care team explained that he actually supports me better than a person could and as a result, I did win my appeal.

I’m not sure what the sensory definition is for AD under PIP and whether they have always included psychiatric distress under this as I’m aware of a number of PIP claimants in recipet of full mobility for similar reasons as me. However, they don’t take your word for it. The evidence I had to provide to support my assistance dog’s purpose was extensive and most people do not have such a ridiculous paper trial of evidence and I do not think it necessary.

They were disinterested in how he helps me and much more focused on how he might prove I wasn’t disabled as I can care for him

They were disinterested in how he helps me and much more focused on how he might prove I wasn’t disabled as I can care for him

No comment was made about my dog by the assessor

They don’t acknowledge him at all. Even with a letter from an AD trainer supporting him.

PIP didn’t consider my assistance dog

Dismissed assistance dog

I dont think they did consider my dog they didn’t ask me any questions about him I just told them I was getting him and filled out the forms saying that I now had him

Challenging. My dog is very expensive and these expenses are never taken into account. At my review 3 years ago he was initially ignored as an “emotional support dog” because he wasn’t ADUK trained, but I wrote a formal complaint and they apologised and included him (which was vital for the Mobility component of PIP, as I can’t travel to new places without him). I had my most recent review this month and had zero issues and he was included which was very positive, however I was stressed that the same issue would occur as before.

They completely ignored the fact my dog supports me, ignored the fact I have extra costs from having an AD and used the fact I have an AD to downplay my illnesses

i’m one of the few that has had successful claims and renews, unlike the majority of the community.

They didn’t take it into account

I always mentioned my hearing dog and attended assessment with her but they never really asked how she helped or acknowledged the support an assistance dog offers

Vague – they did not increase payment as gaining hearing dog did not make any difference to score but they increase length of my PIP

It was on my renewal claim that I had my dog. I sent his training log and under the descriptors that were relevant stated what he did to help me. Eg dressing and undressing. I stated I couldn’t do things without his help. He was never acknowledged on the assessors report however I did receive enhanced care.

My assistance dog was used in the mobility section which gained me one additional point but not considered in any other way in mobility or daily living.

PIP did NOT consider my assistance dog at all

Not had acknowledgement even when I mentioned it