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PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help
- Bluedress24
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1 month 2 weeks ago #295341 by Bluedress24
PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help was created by Bluedress24
Hi,
I am trying to write my MR and really struggling. They will only send the report on paper, rather than digitally, so the only way I can think of laying it out is to type out the report myself and write why I disagree with what the assessor said below each answer. It is taking absolutely ages. I took a day of annual leave off my job to do it and it just wasn't enough. I've got autism, ADHD, depression and anxiety and the whole thing is exhausting and very difficult, logistically and emotionally. Is there another way? I can't believe how hard this is! I don't even know a private place where I can go and print it all out when it is ready as I don't have a printer. Does anyone have any suggestions for an easier / less time-consuming and stressful way of doing it? I've tried to find MR guides on here but can only find guides to appeals.
Also, in terms of further evidence, does that have to come from someone else or can I just write in more detail what I feel I was not given a chance to talk about in my assessment? For example, when the assessor asked me if I had ever had a suicidal plan, I was crying and I began to tell her about one I made a few months ago and she talked over me and changed the subject. Yet she has written in my report that 'There is no evidence of sever psychological distress'.
She has also marked me down for being on medication for depression because I said it does help a little, but marked me down for not being on medication for anxiety! My antidepressants also treat my anxiety, so I am going to write that, but it also feels like an impossible situation: what do they prefer - for you to be on medication or not?!
Thanks in advance.
I am trying to write my MR and really struggling. They will only send the report on paper, rather than digitally, so the only way I can think of laying it out is to type out the report myself and write why I disagree with what the assessor said below each answer. It is taking absolutely ages. I took a day of annual leave off my job to do it and it just wasn't enough. I've got autism, ADHD, depression and anxiety and the whole thing is exhausting and very difficult, logistically and emotionally. Is there another way? I can't believe how hard this is! I don't even know a private place where I can go and print it all out when it is ready as I don't have a printer. Does anyone have any suggestions for an easier / less time-consuming and stressful way of doing it? I've tried to find MR guides on here but can only find guides to appeals.
Also, in terms of further evidence, does that have to come from someone else or can I just write in more detail what I feel I was not given a chance to talk about in my assessment? For example, when the assessor asked me if I had ever had a suicidal plan, I was crying and I began to tell her about one I made a few months ago and she talked over me and changed the subject. Yet she has written in my report that 'There is no evidence of sever psychological distress'.
She has also marked me down for being on medication for depression because I said it does help a little, but marked me down for not being on medication for anxiety! My antidepressants also treat my anxiety, so I am going to write that, but it also feels like an impossible situation: what do they prefer - for you to be on medication or not?!
Thanks in advance.
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- BIS
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1 month 2 weeks ago #295396 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help
Hi Bluedress24
I have replied to your other post about where you can find information on submitting your MR. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip The Guide to PIP Appeals has the information about submitting an MR pages 5 - 8. There are also a couple of other guides below that may or may not be relevant to you. Specific information about MRs can be found near the beginning of each guide.
Re printing of your form: Do you live near a public library? They normally have printing facilities. You would need a USB stick to copy from your laptop and take it elsewhere. I don't know whether there is a printing shop near you - and even if there is you may not have the energy to do this. You say that you work - do they have any facilities that you can use? I understand you may not want to do that as it's private, but I just mention it as a possibility. Do you have any friends or relations with a printer?
The final suggestion is to write your response. Just make sure you mark it clearly which question you are responding to and take a photograph of each page so you have a copy before you send it off.
If you cannot find a way to send a printed copy, you can ring the DWP and make a case for an MR over the phone, but the danger with that is you have no idea if someone has taken down what you said correctly.
You don't have to submit further evidence. If you want to, it can come from you or another source. If you feel that you weren't given enough time to express yourself, you should certainly say so - particularly highlighting the example you gave. The assessor should not have asked that question and then not listened to the answer.
Regarding medication, the DWP and assessors have a bias towards it. If people are not on the highest dose of multiple medications, they often disregard it. This is complete nonsense, and the assessor is not qualified to make a judgement on what medication you should be taking—that is down to the professionals you see. Tell them what you take treats both. You can always look up your medication and if it says it treats both - put in a link to the website and tell them the assessor was 'mistaken' in her comment.
I know it's tempting to tell them everything you think they need to know - but the most important thing is to concentrate on the specific PIP criteria and where you disagree with what you have been awarded. You can even say what you think you should have been awarded for each point.
Don't waste any time complaining about issues that won't earn you extra points.
When you have found the information - come back and ask if you have any further questions and we will try and help.
BIS
I have replied to your other post about where you can find information on submitting your MR. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip The Guide to PIP Appeals has the information about submitting an MR pages 5 - 8. There are also a couple of other guides below that may or may not be relevant to you. Specific information about MRs can be found near the beginning of each guide.
Re printing of your form: Do you live near a public library? They normally have printing facilities. You would need a USB stick to copy from your laptop and take it elsewhere. I don't know whether there is a printing shop near you - and even if there is you may not have the energy to do this. You say that you work - do they have any facilities that you can use? I understand you may not want to do that as it's private, but I just mention it as a possibility. Do you have any friends or relations with a printer?
The final suggestion is to write your response. Just make sure you mark it clearly which question you are responding to and take a photograph of each page so you have a copy before you send it off.
If you cannot find a way to send a printed copy, you can ring the DWP and make a case for an MR over the phone, but the danger with that is you have no idea if someone has taken down what you said correctly.
You don't have to submit further evidence. If you want to, it can come from you or another source. If you feel that you weren't given enough time to express yourself, you should certainly say so - particularly highlighting the example you gave. The assessor should not have asked that question and then not listened to the answer.
Regarding medication, the DWP and assessors have a bias towards it. If people are not on the highest dose of multiple medications, they often disregard it. This is complete nonsense, and the assessor is not qualified to make a judgement on what medication you should be taking—that is down to the professionals you see. Tell them what you take treats both. You can always look up your medication and if it says it treats both - put in a link to the website and tell them the assessor was 'mistaken' in her comment.
I know it's tempting to tell them everything you think they need to know - but the most important thing is to concentrate on the specific PIP criteria and where you disagree with what you have been awarded. You can even say what you think you should have been awarded for each point.
Don't waste any time complaining about issues that won't earn you extra points.
When you have found the information - come back and ask if you have any further questions and we will try and help.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Bluedress24
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1 month 2 weeks ago #295443 by Bluedress24
Replied by Bluedress24 on topic PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help
Thank you so much 🤞
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- John
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1 month 2 weeks ago #295469 by John
Replied by John on topic PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help
In terms of transcribing - one thing that works wonders for me instead of having to transcribe bits I want to quote myself- if you have a Samsung phone (or other Android phones, possibly Apple as well, but I'm not sure) you can take a photo of each page, and the phone can identify the text and make it copy-able. You can then email this to yourself.
If links are allowed, see here as an example for Samsungs: r1.community.samsung.com/t5/support/copy...ry-app/td-p/24544255
It still needs double checking, but should be quicker.
If links are allowed, see here as an example for Samsungs: r1.community.samsung.com/t5/support/copy...ry-app/td-p/24544255
It still needs double checking, but should be quicker.
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Gary
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- Gary
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1 month 2 weeks ago #295473 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Help
Thanks John
I am not very tech savvy, I had a quick read on your link and it looks very useful and could be beneficial to other members.
Gary
I am not very tech savvy, I had a quick read on your link and it looks very useful and could be beneficial to other members.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: John
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