Pip refused, am very disappointed and feel let down

Update.

Following a very unsatisfactory assessment 2 weeks ago, I feared the worst. I phoned DWP for a copy of the PA4 assessment review. My worst fears were confirmed. The ATOS assessor concluded I only satisfied one descriptor and 2 points, a huge reduction from 3 years ago when I satisfied several descriptors for 22 points. From an award of enhanced daily living and standard mobility, I was now facing losing the whole lot.

I took the advice of BIS (see earlier in this thread) and wrote a letter explaining why I disagreed with the PA4 Assessment report in the hope my letter would be considered by the DWP decision maker alongside the PA4 assessment report. I phoned PIP regarding this and they made a note on their system. My letter was posted on Thursday by special delivery and arrived at their Wolverhampton address before 7am Friday.

On Friday, I also received a £10 PIP Christmas bonus payment. Lucky me.

On Monday, I received a text message stating that my PIP review was complete and I would receive a decision letter within 2 weeks. A couple of hours later, I received another text stating that I’d asked them to look at the recent PIP decision again, and to expect a response within 8 weeks. I’m taking that as confirmation they have received and acknowledged my letter.

Yesterday, I was due 4 weeks PIP payment but I’ve received nothing! But I did receive £10 bonus on Friday it’s not all gloom and doom.

Anyhow, I now know that I’ve lost all of my PIP before their decision letter even arrives in the post. It also appears that my letter wasn’t considered during the PIP review and decision process, but it has instead seemingly been accepted as my application for a Mandatory Reconsideration. If so, I’ve saved some time at least and hopefully get to appeal at a tribunal much sooner rather than later.

Christmas can do one!

UPDATE…

After a PIP review assessment in Nov 2024, I was awarded only 2 points, down from 22 points in 2021.

Mandatory Reconsideration in Feb 2024 was unsuccessful, I appealed.

I prepared a submission for Tribunal highlighting every inaccuracy contained in the PA4 report, going through each PIP descriptor in turn and how many points I should have been awarded. The Benefits and Work PIP guides were an invaluable source of information and advice.

I also made a point of highlighting the fact that the DWP only provided the assessor with evidence from my original PIP application way back in 2016 when I was turned down. They omitted all evidence and reports relating to 2021 when I was awarded 22 points, enhanced daily living and standard mobility.

I had my Tribunal via telephone call in October 2024.

HMCTS phoned me several hours prior to the Tribunal taking place. I was informed by them that a DWP representative would also be in attendance!

Tribunal was set for 2pm but was almost an hour late starting. I was warned by HMCTS that prior cases had taken longer than expected.

The Tribunal case lasted approximately 10 minutes. The judge introduced herself along with the other members of the Tribunal panel, a GP and nurse familiar with disability issues along with the DWP rep.

The judge cut to the chase immediately by explaining that the panel had read all the case notes and had decided that I should be awarded PIP at the rates I was previously awarded. The only point of debate was whether I satisfied descriptors 1covering planning and following an unfamiliar 11(d) or familiar 11(f) journey.

I was asked for my thoughts and I argued that I qualify for 11(f) on the basis of not going out at all without the assistance of a family member on any journey. The DWP rep asked me to give an example and I said there were several examples in my submission, for example needing my sister in tow in order to avoid anxiety and stress when attending a GP appointment.

The judge intervened by saying that descriptor 11(f) seemed most appropriate in this case and the other members of the panel agreed. The DWP rep was asked to respond and she reluctantly agreed.

The judge awarded me 24 points, 12 points for daily living activities and 12 points for mobility meaning enhanced PIP rates for both. She then said they were running late so there is no point going though all the other daily living descriptors as I’ve already got enough points to qualify for the enhanced rate.

The only thing left to decide was the length of the award. The judge said in this case the award shall be for 5 years and asked the DWP rep for her opinion. The DWP rep once again reluctantly agreed.

I received just over £9K in backpay in November.

Anyone feeling depressed and downhearted over the whole PIP process, I hope my recent experience and eventual success encourages everyone reading it to never give up and take it all the way to appeal and Tribunal if need be.

I couldn’t have achieved this without access to all the PIP manuals on the Benefits and Work website.

Regards,
Jeff.

Hello Jeff,

This is so good to hear. I hope everyone who is worrying about an appeal at the moment will read your post and take heart - congratulations!

Best wishes,

Wendy Woo