Query about MR....preparing myself

Hi CFremont

The Assessor and the Decision Maker should look at all supporting documents. In the assessors report, it should state what supporting documents were taken into account, so it is always good to check what has been listed.

When you have the assessment report (PA4) you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.

I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in.

Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' 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, remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.

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.

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; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

For the CRMR1 form to initiate your MR; www.gov.uk/government/publications/chall...ork-and-pensions-dwp

When you apply for a MR you usually do not have another phone assessment unless you can show that the original assessment was so perverse from the supporting documents that DWP will ask for a new assessment, it does happen, but not often, we do hear from members when this has happened.

You can have paper assessments but you need very good supporting evidence and a letter from your doctor stating you suffer from overwhelming Psychological distress (OPD) and therefore not able to attend an assessment.

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

Hi CFremont

You get the PA4 (Assessment Report) from the DWP. (PIP claim line)

BIS