Mandatory reconsideration

Hello Kelellisjesse,

Welcome to the site! I hope you have had a good poke around and in particular found the PIP section which is stuffed full of good things.

PIP resources

You have done the right thing in saying that you wish for a MR. You also really need to get your hands on the PA4 - this is the report which the assessor wrote after the assessment and will have their recommendations in it. So another phone call to the DWP, sorry about that, to request that report.

Whilst you are waiting for it to come, read out guide and think what you have put on your application form if you had read that first. Use this when you come to the next stage, and make sure that you include all the good points you drafted!

When the PA4 arrives, sit down, let your blood stop boiling and add your rebuttals to what the assessor has said. It is no good just saying 'they got it wrong' against each point, you need to include what your reality is.

The more you can evidence this the better. A letter from your GP, any other medical people who work with you are all good. A copy of your current prescription list might help. But also a letter from someone who knows you and how your condition impacts on your everyday life; partner / friend are both good.

You will need to get your MR back to the DWP within a month. But the reality is that they will almost certainly take a while to look at it, and you are free to send in additional information after you have sent off your initial application.

The reason I said that, other than it is so, is that with CFS it can be really helpful to complete a diary of how your daily living and mobility are impacted by your condition. You will find a template on the page I linked to above, but you need to scroll down a bit. So have a go at that, or ask someone else to do it for you. If it takes too long in relationship to the MR deadline just send it off late, making sure that you ask for it to be added to your MR submission and include your name and NI number.

Please do come back to us if you have any more questions. We don’t know it all, but we have walked this journey a few too many times
Catherine

Hello again Kelellisjesse,

Your description of the assessor saying you sounded okay on the phone is becoming so so familiar, but I am sorry to hear that you had it applied to you.

Yes, do download the template and use it as you wish. It is there to help you.

The descriptions of the after affects of activities which you put in your post is the sort of thing which would be really good to include in the diary.

e.g. Monday morning, Had to walk 50m to a doctor’s appointment.
Monday afternoon. Feeling exhausted and sick after this morning’s walk.
Monday evening. Partner made me a small meal whilst I was too tired to attempt it myself, but did not feel well enough to eat more than a few mouthfulls. Had to have help getting ready for bed since I did not have the energy to undress myself.
….
Friday morning. First day I have been able to get up and get dressed since the walk on Monday morning. Partner had to make me breakfast. Need to be carefully over the next few days not to do too much since I have to go the hospital for tests on Wednesday.

Hope that helps
Catherine