Background
When the client approached us, they were receiving the highest rate of the care component and the lowest rate of the mobility component of their benefit. They explained that they had previously been entitled to the higher rate of the mobility component and wanted to explore whether this could be reinstated through a change of circumstances.
Challenge
As the client was 80 years old, the key issue was demonstrating that they would have met the criteria for the higher rate mobility component before reaching State Pension age, as this is the point after which entitlement to a higher mobility award cannot normally be established.
Our Approach
We carefully reviewed the client's circumstances and prepared detailed representations to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This included a comprehensive explanation of the case alongside supporting medical evidence to demonstrate that the qualifying conditions had been met before the relevant age threshold.
Outcome
Following our submission, the DWP conducted a full review of the client's award history. During this investigation, it identified that an erroneous decision had previously been made. The award was revised retrospectively to 31 April 2012, with the DWP determining that, from 3 June 2012, the client should have been awarded the higher rate of both the care and mobility components.
As a result, the client received a back payment of £52,398, together with the corrected ongoing entitlement.
This case highlights the importance of challenging historic benefit decisions where there is evidence that an incorrect award has been made, even many years after the original decision.