PIP decision

[Guest]

I got my PIP decision today i have remained on standard care but lost all my mobility points needed to keep the car.
Also found out today my Doctor is on long term sick leave and has been since 2 days after my last visit and the week before the PIP would have contacted her.

So all we talked about must have been no good.She was the only person there that knew my total needs and was the one that helped me get the car to get out and about.

The motability people said appeal right away they usually let you keep the car for a bit while you appeal the woman said.

The assessor said i could walk 50 to 200 meters but on the day he came i couldnt even stand i was in so much back pain.

I offered to try and he said it was ok you dont have to?

Also will be reassessed every 3 years where before i was on indefinite.
I was gutted at first but i know i still got something where others lost everything. I dont go out much just to doctors and hospital really so will have to try and manage without out the car.

[amandajane10]

Have they given you the reasons you have lost Mobility? I would deff appeal. I have heard awful stories about the assessors.

[DisneyDaffodil]

citizensadvice.uk/be...y-to-tribunal/

I am so sorry to hear your mobility assessment did not go well. The information above explains how to start appeal, you have to put a Mandatory Reconsideration letter in first. This needs to be sent within 28 days of the letter turning down your award so try to get as much information about your illness and medical evidence together as soon as you can. You can get an extension on the initial 28 days if you ring to request this, if you need more time to gather evidence of support or if you are waiting for an appointment to have help with the MR/appeal with CAB. CAB can help with the forms and have a high level of success in helping people with their appeals.

motability/about-t...-reassessment/

The information above explains about your car being returned at the end of your claim. You will be expected to return it around 8 weeks after you have received your letter. The article also explains about the financial implications of returning the car.

Good luck with the appeal.

[Omega1]

Lots of good advice above, but don't forget to stress how your condition(s) affect your daily living. Too many PIP applicants, on assessment, rely on the name of their condition and the associated medication to get them through without relating it to the criteria for mobility and daily living (criteria are on CAB website). Use the wording of the criteria in your MR - tell it as it is. If you can't stand for 5 minutes without severe back pain on an average of 5 out of 7 days, say so. Many people put on a brave face during assessments and get caught out by pleasantries posing as serious questions eg an introductory 'hello, how are you?' Very often receives an unguarded response of 'fine thanks'. This is then used out of context in the assessor's report.
If your MR is unsuccessful, and most are, then seek help from your local CAB straight away. Most local bureau have a welfare benefits caseworker who knows the system backwards. Good luck!

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Omega1

Lots of good advice above, but don't forget to stress how your condition(s) affect your daily living. Too many PIP applicants, on assessment, rely on the name of their condition and the associated medication to get them through without relating it to the criteria for mobility and daily living (criteria are on CAB website). Use the wording of the criteria in your MR - tell it as it is. If you can't stand for 5 minutes without severe back pain on an average of 5 out of 7 days, say so. Many people put on a brave face during assessments and get caught out by pleasantries posing as serious questions eg an introductory 'hello, how are you?' Very often receives an unguarded response of 'fine thanks'. This is then used out of context in the assessor's report.
If your MR is unsuccessful, and most are, then seek help from your local CAB straight away. Most local bureau have a welfare benefits caseworker who knows the system backwards. Good luck!

See more...

Excellent advice too Omega1. I am a CAB advisor and it is surprising how many claimants come into me and state their health conditions but do not actually tell me anything about how it affects them. I am not medically trained and unless the claimant can explain, I do not know how long they can stand or how much pain they are in. I do go through a checklist and try to ensure they provide the relevant facts of course. The assessors, on the other hand, do not seem to look for evidence to support the claim, in fact they seem to be looking for quite the opposite.

I advise anyone in abb's position to visit CAB (or other organisations who offer this service) as soon as they receive their letter (as CAB can help with the MR as well as appeal if necessary) as there is often a wait for a specialist advisor appointment although as previously stated, an extension can be requested.

[sunny1]

definitely go see a person at the CAB and appeal this to the MR stage

also with your GP i wouldn't worry about just the one GP knowing you well, you can make a double apt with another GP in the practice and ask for their help

my GP printed off my most recent medical history and there was lots of useful information i could use, the DWP had not contacted any of my specialists for a report

good luck

[Omega1]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

Excellent advice too Omega1. I am a CAB advisor and it is surprising how many claimants come into me and state their health conditions but do not actually tell me anything about how it affects them. I am not medically trained and unless the claimant can explain, I do not know how long they can stand or how much pain they are in. I do go through a checklist and try to ensure they provide the relevant facts of course. The assessors, on the other hand, do not seem to look for evidence to support the claim, in fact they seem to be looking for quite the opposite.

I advise anyone in abb's position to visit CAB (or other organisations who offer this service) as soon as they receive their letter (as CAB can help with the MR as well as appeal if necessary) as there is often a wait for a specialist advisor appointment although as previously stated, an extension can be requested.

See more...

I'm CAB adviser too! We are overwhelmed with MR and appeals due to all the DLA reassessments. As you say, it appears that assessors are looking for ways to misrepresent what clients say or how they present. It's a scandal, and all too often the default position of the DWP is to uphold the original decision when a MR is submitted. The system is just not fit for purpose and wholly inconsistent.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Omega1

I'm CAB adviser too! We are overwhelmed with MR and appeals due to all the DLA reassessments. As you say, it appears that assessors are looking for ways to misrepresent what clients say or how they present. It's a scandal, and all too often the default position of the DWP is to uphold the original decision when a MR is submitted. The system is just not fit for purpose and wholly inconsistent.

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Haha, small world. Yes we are finding it difficult to get clients into see advisors in time as they often leave it a week or so to pop in and of course, there is the 28 day deadline. Plus, our area is changing to Universal Credit which is yet another nightmare.

[sunny1]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

Haha, small world. Yes we are finding it difficult to get clients into see advisors in time as they often leave it a week or so to pop in and of course, there is the 28 day deadline. Plus, our area is changing to Universal Credit which is yet another nightmare.

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I got a extra 30 days after the initial month from the decision letter which did allow me more time to gather medical evidence, I called to ask for this just a few days before the month ran out and said I needed it as I was getting help from the CAB and was waiting for a letter from my specialist

it took me two weeks from the decision letter to get my courage up to go into the CAB and when I saw the ATOS report I just wanted to cry

it just seemed so hurtful and I took some of the things the assessor "observed" very personally

I do think that the system is designed to make it as difficult as possible for the disabled person

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by sunny1

I got a extra 30 days after the initial month from the decision letter which did allow me more time to gather medical evidence, I called to ask for this just a few days before the month ran out and said I needed it as I was getting help from the CAB and was waiting for a letter from my specialist

it took me two weeks from the decision letter to get my courage up to go into the CAB and when I saw the ATOS report I just wanted to cry

it just seemed so hurtful and I took some of the things the assessor "observed" very personally

I do think that the system is designed to make it as difficult as possible for the disabled person

See more...

I agree. The initial letter turning down your application must be so upsetting to receive. Many claimants have some level of depression or anxiety so it takes a lot of effort to have to pursue an appeal. I do understand why it takes people so long to pluck up the courage and energy to visit CAB. Plus, as you say, it takes a lot of time to get supporting evidence and letters to send.

Many claimants have health problems that mean they are not capable of even completely understanding where they can get help with the forms. You are right that it makes life more difficult for disabled people, it really upsets and frustrates me.