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Morna's PIP stopped... again!
- morna
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4 years 5 months ago #253040 by morna
Morna's PIP stopped... again! was created by morna
So sorry about being so dippy.
I was due a review of my PIP award on 17/11/20. Letter from DWP 07/10/20 stating, "Thank you for asking us to look at your PIP claim again". I did not ask that. Why would I? "I have decided your PIP award will end on 29/09/20. This is because your needs have changed". They certainly have not. "I realise this is not the decision you were hoping for." Probably because she knew she was making the wrong decision. Later, she again stated that I asked them to look at my award, on 19/01/20.
This is what actually happened, as far as I can recall, because of my dreadfully impeded level of concentration. I have vague recollections of writing to say one (only one!) of the symptoms of one (only one!) of my disorders had gone. I still had and have all the others, will always have this disorder, there is no cure. It has played havoc with my life for over 35 years, was on IB benefit for over 20 years, without any hassle from anyone. Then along came the PIP team. I informed them I had one symptom less because my friend who has MS told them she'd had a flare up or remission from her MS, neither of us remembers which. Of course, I shouldn't have done that. Prime example of a cognitive impairment.
I had 11 points daily living awarded 2018. Now I have 2. Even my meds points were taken away, despite me telling the paramedic who interviewed me a few months back, that I had frustrating difficulties remembering to take them and all the lengths I go to to try to get the most out of them. If the DM based her decision on the medic's report, then there have been inconsistencies between his, and the other HP's, who interviewed me back in 2018. I've asked for a MR, an extension for that (given one for a month in my MR of 2018) and a copy of the medic's report. I have doubts about his knowledge of psychiatry. Maybe I should get my pharmacist to verify that I am very disorganised with my meds. I usually forget to renew my prescription 2 monthly.
So, what to do now. Write again, asking for his report, or send in my MR without it? My last letter was delivered to DWP 27/10, as usual no response to phone calls. I have letters of support they have never seen in the past, two for the 2018's MR, which was done without me because I missed the deadline by one day. (I take ages to prepare anything like that). One of those is from a professional, with very clear indications of cognitive impairment. DWP persistently point out that I have not been diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, and I'd love to be there when they finally read about them. In 2018's MR, the CM deducted 4 points from me, in my absence. I would like them back. I think I have a strong case, and also with letters of support, clearly demonstrating my cognitive impairments.
I will go to appeal if need be. It's not so much about the money, but the disrespectful attitude they have shown towards me. Opinions please, and thanks to you folk who are here for people like me. I have another short question which I'd like to ask, if I may.
I was due a review of my PIP award on 17/11/20. Letter from DWP 07/10/20 stating, "Thank you for asking us to look at your PIP claim again". I did not ask that. Why would I? "I have decided your PIP award will end on 29/09/20. This is because your needs have changed". They certainly have not. "I realise this is not the decision you were hoping for." Probably because she knew she was making the wrong decision. Later, she again stated that I asked them to look at my award, on 19/01/20.
This is what actually happened, as far as I can recall, because of my dreadfully impeded level of concentration. I have vague recollections of writing to say one (only one!) of the symptoms of one (only one!) of my disorders had gone. I still had and have all the others, will always have this disorder, there is no cure. It has played havoc with my life for over 35 years, was on IB benefit for over 20 years, without any hassle from anyone. Then along came the PIP team. I informed them I had one symptom less because my friend who has MS told them she'd had a flare up or remission from her MS, neither of us remembers which. Of course, I shouldn't have done that. Prime example of a cognitive impairment.
I had 11 points daily living awarded 2018. Now I have 2. Even my meds points were taken away, despite me telling the paramedic who interviewed me a few months back, that I had frustrating difficulties remembering to take them and all the lengths I go to to try to get the most out of them. If the DM based her decision on the medic's report, then there have been inconsistencies between his, and the other HP's, who interviewed me back in 2018. I've asked for a MR, an extension for that (given one for a month in my MR of 2018) and a copy of the medic's report. I have doubts about his knowledge of psychiatry. Maybe I should get my pharmacist to verify that I am very disorganised with my meds. I usually forget to renew my prescription 2 monthly.
So, what to do now. Write again, asking for his report, or send in my MR without it? My last letter was delivered to DWP 27/10, as usual no response to phone calls. I have letters of support they have never seen in the past, two for the 2018's MR, which was done without me because I missed the deadline by one day. (I take ages to prepare anything like that). One of those is from a professional, with very clear indications of cognitive impairment. DWP persistently point out that I have not been diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, and I'd love to be there when they finally read about them. In 2018's MR, the CM deducted 4 points from me, in my absence. I would like them back. I think I have a strong case, and also with letters of support, clearly demonstrating my cognitive impairments.
I will go to appeal if need be. It's not so much about the money, but the disrespectful attitude they have shown towards me. Opinions please, and thanks to you folk who are here for people like me. I have another short question which I'd like to ask, if I may.
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- BIS
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4 years 5 months ago - 4 years 5 months ago #253068 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Morna's PIP stopped... again!
Hi Mona
Letter from DWP 07/10/20 stating, "Thank you for asking us to look at your PIP claim again". I did not ask that. Why would I?
You later say in your post that you have a vague recollection of writing saying that one of your "disorders had gone". The moment you did this it triggered what was called a 'change of circumstances' and that is why you received the letter saying that you had asked them to look at your claim again. It is not what you asked them to do, but it is what happens when anyone tells them of an improvement or a deterioration.
If the DM based her decision on the medic's report, then there have been inconsistencies between his, and the other HP's, who interviewed me back in 2018
The assessor's reports are just a single person's opinion and so it is common for there to be inconsistencies between what one assessor has said and another one a couple of years later. The decision maker would have been looking at the most recent one, particularly as in their view they think your health has improved.
So, what to do now. Write again, asking for his report, or send in my MR without it?
I would get to see the detailed assessment report before you send in the report. When writing the report make sure that you concentrate on the areas that you specifically feel you should have earned more points. Don't get bogged down in whether you think the assessor was qualified to do the job. Put in a couple of sentences at the end if you wish, but it's the PIP criteria that needs to be the focus of your attention.
Are you or someone else able to ring for the report? It might speed up the process. If you cannot get it in time - you need to send in the MR and make it clear you will be sending further information when you have received the report.
BIS
Letter from DWP 07/10/20 stating, "Thank you for asking us to look at your PIP claim again". I did not ask that. Why would I?
You later say in your post that you have a vague recollection of writing saying that one of your "disorders had gone". The moment you did this it triggered what was called a 'change of circumstances' and that is why you received the letter saying that you had asked them to look at your claim again. It is not what you asked them to do, but it is what happens when anyone tells them of an improvement or a deterioration.
If the DM based her decision on the medic's report, then there have been inconsistencies between his, and the other HP's, who interviewed me back in 2018
The assessor's reports are just a single person's opinion and so it is common for there to be inconsistencies between what one assessor has said and another one a couple of years later. The decision maker would have been looking at the most recent one, particularly as in their view they think your health has improved.
So, what to do now. Write again, asking for his report, or send in my MR without it?
I would get to see the detailed assessment report before you send in the report. When writing the report make sure that you concentrate on the areas that you specifically feel you should have earned more points. Don't get bogged down in whether you think the assessor was qualified to do the job. Put in a couple of sentences at the end if you wish, but it's the PIP criteria that needs to be the focus of your attention.
Are you or someone else able to ring for the report? It might speed up the process. If you cannot get it in time - you need to send in the MR and make it clear you will be sending further information when you have received the report.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 4 years 5 months ago by BIS.
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4 years 5 months ago #253093 by morna
Replied by morna on topic Morna's PIP stopped... again!
Thanks a lot for your observations, a big help.
I didn't say one of my disorders had gone, though. I said that a symptom of a disorder had. The way you've reacted is the way DWP have, and I can clearly see what's happened. This is why I'm really concerned that the HP has given the wrong advice. I shouldn't have said anything, at all, and he should have known that. (My cognitive impairment). Anyway, not to worry, I'll get it sorted out, but unfortunately, I'm on the verge of a full blown reactive depression now, because my benefit has been stopped and it shouldn't have been. I'll have to bother my GP and I hate doing that.
I worked in psychiatry many years back, and that is why I'm alarmed that this has happened because someone hasn't known enough about what's wrong with me.
Again, so grateful to you for the advice on getting a copy of the HP's report. Will sit on the end of the phone now for the duration:)
I didn't say one of my disorders had gone, though. I said that a symptom of a disorder had. The way you've reacted is the way DWP have, and I can clearly see what's happened. This is why I'm really concerned that the HP has given the wrong advice. I shouldn't have said anything, at all, and he should have known that. (My cognitive impairment). Anyway, not to worry, I'll get it sorted out, but unfortunately, I'm on the verge of a full blown reactive depression now, because my benefit has been stopped and it shouldn't have been. I'll have to bother my GP and I hate doing that.
I worked in psychiatry many years back, and that is why I'm alarmed that this has happened because someone hasn't known enough about what's wrong with me.
Again, so grateful to you for the advice on getting a copy of the HP's report. Will sit on the end of the phone now for the duration:)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon
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