PIP Appeal Success

This week I had my PIP appeal. I have received DLA middle rate care and high mobility until my ATOS assessment in January of this year when as a result of a dreadful face to face with a HP my mobility award was reduced to standard although the daily,living stayed as standard. The treatment I received at my assessment was awful. I was intimidated and rushed. When I received the decision for DWP I asked for a copy of the medical report and as result of reading this I decided to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. My award was kept at the same and I made an appointment with CAB and asked their advice . They agreed I had a very good case and decided to push for an appeal. On Wednesday I had my appeal. It was daunting and to be honest I nearly backed out however I faced up to it as I felt I had to put my views across. The appeal took place at the local magistrates court and I was in the actual court room with a judge a doctor and a benefits advisor. No one from DWP turned up. It lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes in which time I was treated politely. All 3 were kind and made me feel at ease. I was asked questions about my disabilities and how they effected me. I'd taken someone with me and they did ask him if he had any further things to add that I may have missed. At the end I was told to wait outside for approx 15 minutes and then called back in. I was awarded another 1 point on the daily living taking me up to 9 overall but another 6 on mobility taking me to 14 and back up to the enhanced rate ! Over the moon. So happy I stuck with it. From my original face to face on 5th January to my actual appeal on 29th June it's taken nearly 6 months to sort, but so worth it. I have arthritis in my neck and spine and also suffer anxiety attacks. My advice would be make sure you take someone with you to every appointment , get copies of the medical report from the HP. Having an understanding GP has helped me. Don't accept the result if your not happy keep fighting. You have done nothing wrong! The clerk at court did say if no one turns up from DWP it's usually because they know they haven't got a leg to stand on. Hope this helps anyone with appeals coming up

Hello Nicola

so pleased you managed to get the award you wanted, finally~!! As you say, it shows that you have to 'stick with it', however stressful.

You advice is good, and I am sure other members will take heart from your experiences.

If you should need us again in the future, you know where we are!

hi nicola,
firstly congrats on your award thrilled for you ,, your advice on here has made me feel a bit more confident when i get my appeal date,, ime worrying sick already about it its been a stressfull time since april i had my assesment,i also felt i wasnt listened to by the assesor and she rushed me with a lot of question ,which i felt were difficult to answer as she was answering for me ,,i suffer oestio athritus and agrpohobia ,bad anxiety and depression i wasnt awarded any rate ,had 2 points for daily and 4 points for mobility,, like you i decided to ask for a MR but same result came bk, so now it appeal , ive opted for a oral appeal even though i have no idea how ime going to be able to get out to go never mind cope with being there as i suffer severe social anxiety ,, have been told i can asked for it to be changed to a paper hearing but will see how i feel ,it so wrong we have to go through this procedure its alot to cope with and has caused my anxiety to go throught the rof with worry,, it lovely to hear your story as it does give hope to others going through same thing ,,
thanks alison,

Delighted for you and your result - am in a similar situation with ESA - appeal next week. I felt they totally ignored all my evidence at assessment and MR and even lied in their report to the appeal tribunal - saying they rang me on the day they made the decision to ask me if I had further evidence to give which they didnt and they couldnt have anyway as i am severely hearing impaired and dont use the phone! I will be mentioning this at my hearing if there is an opportunity as I know the appeal is all about seeing if I meet the descriptors but they need to know the DWP are lying in many cases unfortunately.
Many many congratulations!