PIP Process advice on MR Please - hearing loss/tinnitus

Hi Shirl45

Welcome to the forum. Never apologise for asking a question. You can find how to navigate the site here benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq

Did you get a copy of your assessment report? It's called a PA4. You can ring the DWP and ask for it, if you don't already have it. It's useful to get more details about what you were awarded. Remember the assessor is just giving their opinion. Don't waste any time on anything that won't gain you extra points (eg spelling errors in the report)

You have one month from the date on the decision letter to put in for your Mandatory Reconsideration.

The person who assessed you clearly has no idea what it's like to have any sort of hearing loss. If you haven't already - have a look at our Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews and check to see whether you included all the information you could have done. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

The idea you should buy a new cooker is ridiculous or that because you were once, a teacher is proof that you have no troubles with communication now. I'm afraid some assessors are notorious for making such pronouncements. I hate to say - you might get used to it!

Preparing Food: - Did you emphasise the safety issues of not being able to hear what is going on in the kitchen while you're cooking? Clearly, you should have been awarded points for the necessary alarms. If you never cook alone - then say so and emphasise why. Tell them what happens if you don't see the alarm. Tell them about the dangers of being unable to hear a smoke alarm. (Never assume that the person reading it has any experience or understanding of what it's like to have your medical condition!) If you haven't already, you need to explain the effects of permanent tinnitus - the tiredness and depression which make you less safe in a kitchen. You should be able to score more highly here.

Washing and bathing - points as expected.

Communicating - points as expected

Mixing with Other People - Their argument is nonsense - have a look at the guide to see if there's anything else you need to say. You need to say the assessor is "mistaken" or has "misunderstood."

Budgeting - have a look at the guide - because I suspect you didn't make the link strong enough between your condition and how that affects being able to bank effectively.

Mobility - look at the guide again. Emphasise that you are limited in your ability to travel - they are supposed to look at the whole picture - not just whether you travel by car. You need to explain how disorientating it is to have a high-pitched noise and other noise in your hearing aids when you are out. That is frightening, and that's why you wouldn't use public transport alone. I think if you look at what the guide says about reliability and safety, you will find you have more to say.

Do also have a look to the Guide to PIP Appeals, which has all the information on putting in for a Mandatory Reconsideration.

Come back if you have any other questions.

BIS