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PIP Telephone Assessment - What should I do ?
- Julia
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4 years 1 month ago #256855 by Julia
PIP Telephone Assessment - What should I do ? was created by Julia
have recently submitted a PIP form to try and get the mobility element of PIP due to my deteriorating condition.
I have been on PIP / Disability allowance for approximately 11 years. When I originally applied I was rejected but won on appeal. At my reassessment in 2015 again I was rejected but won on appeal. In 2015 I was reassessed via a home visit and scored 18 and received the enhanced daily living allowance.
I suffer from a number of conditions which leave me in constant pain. I had an operation in 2012 which left me with Intercostal neuralgia and abdominal myofascial pain , both of which give me severe constant pain in my rubs.
I also have arthritis and spondylosis of the spine.
These conditions have all worsened with age. Due to allergic reactyions I cannot take pain killers other than paracetamol.
I suffer from lack of sleep because of the pain and I also suffer from depression.
I receive prescription for my depression and lack of sleep, the side affects are that I am pretty much unable to function in the morning and I struggle to get out of bed.
So in day to day activities I need help in cooking, dressing, bathing and taking my medication because of both the pain and the side effects of my medication.
So I contacted the DWP and asked if I could apply for mobility allowance as I cannot walk far and if I do I am in constant pain.
So my latest assessment in 2015 gave me 18 points.
In my latest assessment I scored 6 points and have had my benefits stopped.
My assessment was by telephone in which my husband was present.
In submitting my forms I was instructed to write “No change” in all boxes where I had previously scored points and only to add further information where things had changed.
I submitted my form with 12 pages of supplementary notes with details of doctors appointments over the last 5 years and details of how things had worsened.
At the first interview they stated they had not received my forms, so it was agreed to re-arrange and I would send photocopies of my original application.
At the second interview they had the photocopies but claimed they were too dark to read so could not use them.
The meeting was rushed because the interviewer was late and had to hurry to catch up before her next interview.
Due to not having a copy of my report , everything was covered as if from scratch and no consideration was given to my previous scores or my application form.
The written decision issued by the DWP contains a number of inaccuracies and is missing key facts of the interview.
So I have spoke to the DWP today and they have said :
1. You can ask for the case to be reviewed ( takes 10 weeks) and still have right to appeal if review is same as original decision/
2. You can appeal
3. You can submit another application at the same time
So my question is, which of the 3 above should I choose ?
I have been on PIP / Disability allowance for approximately 11 years. When I originally applied I was rejected but won on appeal. At my reassessment in 2015 again I was rejected but won on appeal. In 2015 I was reassessed via a home visit and scored 18 and received the enhanced daily living allowance.
I suffer from a number of conditions which leave me in constant pain. I had an operation in 2012 which left me with Intercostal neuralgia and abdominal myofascial pain , both of which give me severe constant pain in my rubs.
I also have arthritis and spondylosis of the spine.
These conditions have all worsened with age. Due to allergic reactyions I cannot take pain killers other than paracetamol.
I suffer from lack of sleep because of the pain and I also suffer from depression.
I receive prescription for my depression and lack of sleep, the side affects are that I am pretty much unable to function in the morning and I struggle to get out of bed.
So in day to day activities I need help in cooking, dressing, bathing and taking my medication because of both the pain and the side effects of my medication.
So I contacted the DWP and asked if I could apply for mobility allowance as I cannot walk far and if I do I am in constant pain.
So my latest assessment in 2015 gave me 18 points.
In my latest assessment I scored 6 points and have had my benefits stopped.
My assessment was by telephone in which my husband was present.
In submitting my forms I was instructed to write “No change” in all boxes where I had previously scored points and only to add further information where things had changed.
I submitted my form with 12 pages of supplementary notes with details of doctors appointments over the last 5 years and details of how things had worsened.
At the first interview they stated they had not received my forms, so it was agreed to re-arrange and I would send photocopies of my original application.
At the second interview they had the photocopies but claimed they were too dark to read so could not use them.
The meeting was rushed because the interviewer was late and had to hurry to catch up before her next interview.
Due to not having a copy of my report , everything was covered as if from scratch and no consideration was given to my previous scores or my application form.
The written decision issued by the DWP contains a number of inaccuracies and is missing key facts of the interview.
So I have spoke to the DWP today and they have said :
1. You can ask for the case to be reviewed ( takes 10 weeks) and still have right to appeal if review is same as original decision/
2. You can appeal
3. You can submit another application at the same time
So my question is, which of the 3 above should I choose ?
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- Gary
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4 years 1 month ago - 4 years 1 month ago #256869 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic PIP Telephone Assessment - What should I do ?
Hi Julia
Sorry to hear that you lost your PIP when you applied for a change of circumstances.
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
You can make a complaint to the Assessment Provider if you believe your assessment was rushed, but you need to focus your energies on your MR first.
Complaining to the PIP Assessment Providers
You might also want to involve your MP
Contacting your MP
You cannot appeal until you have applied for a Mandatory Reconsideration.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Sorry to hear that you lost your PIP when you applied for a change of circumstances.
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
You can make a complaint to the Assessment Provider if you believe your assessment was rushed, but you need to focus your energies on your MR first.
Complaining to the PIP Assessment Providers
You might also want to involve your MP
Contacting your MP
You cannot appeal until you have applied for a Mandatory Reconsideration.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 4 years 1 month ago by Gary.
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