Help with Mandatory Reconsideration Request

Hi, I have done a search on this topic and am reading through the guide as to how to proceed, but just wanted to ask a quick question as I can't get my head round how to word my MR request.

When I do my MR request, should I state why I disagree with each part of their award letter - for example when the letter states that I can mobilise for more than 50m but no more than 200 - but the assessment report states I can only walk 20? Or do I just generally state that I disagree with their findings and leave it at that?

I know this is probably a daft question but I don't want to go through each section if I don't need to at this stage as it is (as you know!) so draining.

Thanks

Hi Steffi,

At some stage you need to explain how/why you believe you should score points against the PIP descriptors.

You mention the assessment. Do you have a copy of the report? If so, you might as well get on and explain your reasons when requesting the MR.

If you don't have a copy of the assessor's report, it will be very helpful to get one. DWP usually send them out on request. In this case, you can simply say that you do not feel the decision reflects your degree of need and that you will add further information when you have seen the report. DWP should then allow you a bit more time in which to submit your argument in full.

Don't forget that you will only be awarded DWP by scoring points against the descriptors. This is where you should concentrate your time and energy rather than arguing against every bit of the assessment that you feel is wrong (ie, if it won't get you extra points, don't waste time on it).

Thank you Mrs Hurtyback - I do have the assessor's report so I will go through that and relate my comments to the individual descriptors as you suggest.
Currently they have given 8 points under daily living and 4 under mobility, whereas I feel I should have received at least 12 under daily living and 8 under mobility.
Many thanks

I just wondered if starting my letter as I've put below seems appropriate? Thanks again.

"I am writing to request a mandatory reconsideration of my PIP award, as I should have been awarded more points under both the daily living and the mobility sections due to the nature of my condition.
Under Activity 1 Preparing Food, I have been awarded 2 points under descriptor b; however the assessor states in his report that ‘I cannot easily undertake aspects of the activity repeatedly, in a safe and timely manner and to an acceptable standard’ and in my questionnaire responses I stated quite clearly that I need assistance from my partner or children when attempting to prepare or cook a simple meal. Therefore descriptor e. is more applicable – Needs supervision or assistance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal."

Hi Steffi,

Have you explained anywhere why you cannot undertake the activity in question and what would happen if you tried?

If you have this information on your PIP2 form then you should clearly reference this. If you have not already given this information, you need to do so for each descriptor in dispute.

Hi again Mrs Hurtyback - this is what I said on my PIP2

"Because of my low mood, and my pain and exhaustion levels I have problems motivating myself to prepare food, and generally will not eat unless my partner actually puts food in front of me. If I am at home on my own, which is very seldom, and I become hungry I will just get myself some toast or a bag of crisps as I cannot find the energy or motivation to cook for myself. Before my daughter left home, I would sometimes be able to push myself to cook a meal for her, this would be perhaps once a fortnight, on these occasions I would need to stagger the stages – so do a little and then sit down for at least 15 minutes before attempting the next stage as I become extremely tired - but even on these few occasions I have forgotten what stage I was at and either left a ring on the cooker or the oven on, and then I get angry and frustrated with myself, and my daughter would need to take over from me, this then makes me less inclined to try again on future occasions. My hands are very painful and crampy and I struggle with cutting or preparing vegetables and so if I am wanting to attempt to cook a meal my partner will do this for me, this is primarily because I am very slow and unreliable, but also because I have cut myself before. Following an assessment by social services, my landlord has put lever taps in the kitchen (and bathroom) for me as they recognised the difficulty I sometimes experience using standard taps. We have just replaced our kettle with a hot water urn so that I do not need to struggle lifting a kettle as I have in the past spilt hot water everywhere and scalded myself. These symptoms exist for the majority of the time – i.e. at least 6 days out of 7."