PIP Reassessment - CFS/ME

BIS wrote: Hi Jim

I just want to clarify something with you. You have got a copy of your assessment report (PA4) and not just the decision letter haven't you? Obviously, the PA4 is useful in putting in your MR because it has details of how the decision is made.

You can ring up and ask for a call back for someone to talk you through the decision. I can't say whether this is useful or will make your blood boil. Some have found it useful others not. Anyone ringing should always think of their mental health. I know for instance that some people don't ask for a copy of their PA4 because reading the contents would be too damaging even when they need to do an MR. You know yourself what you can tolerate and I would make the decision on that basis.

BIS

I'm so tired I completely missed that. Thank you for pointing out something so obvious. I'll get in touch and see if I can get hold of it.

Morning.. I understand your story well. I had a tribunal judge award me nil points because I used to work 3 hours a week, which clearly showed i was absolutely fine!!!
My appeal took 2.5 years altogether, as I took it to the Upper tribunal.
I got Enhanced Both... regs 4 & 7 are the ones you need to concentrate on.
Safely, reliably, repeatedly etc & ‘over 50% of the time’ [read 70%].
get support & help. Good Luck... prepare for a slog
My HA report was a farce. Look up the qualifications of the person who assessed you. & remember they have 7.5 days training.......

I just wanted to reply to this topic and thank everyone for their support and input. I've managed to prop myself up and put together a detailed letter accompanied by some excellent supporting evidence courtesy of the friends and health professionals in my life.

Whatever the outcome now, I've done my best... and fingers crossed it doesn't go this far, but if a tribunal is necessary at least I have the support to take it forward. In all sincerity I'd descended into such a low mental space I'd forgotten that people will help; it all comes down to asking.

So thanks to everyone again, and I'll post a response in this thread when I have one.

Keep going Jim you are certainly not alone. Well done for managing to gather the strength to deal with this. All good wishes to you.

Hello everyone.

Thank you all for the support and good wishes. I've finally had an update from the DWP in regards to my reconsideration - it's excellent news.

The assessor made it clear that they had read all of the material I'd sent in, which was a vast improvement from the initial assessment, and I've been bumped back onto the enhanced rate for both categories.

In the end I focussed just on the areas where I felt points had been missed, and politely yet firmly challenged each of those with as much detail as I could provide. In conjunction with my renewed round of supporting evidence my efforts have been rewarded.

I earnestly hope everyone is so fortunate. But at least I know it can be done, so fingers crossed it'll be less anxiety inducing the next time it comes around.