Does DWP disregard all old supporting evidence?

Hello,

I have two, related, questions:

When I first applied for PIP, in 2016, I submitted a letter from a psychiatrist (written in 2014) as supporting evidence and I'm sure that led to me being awarded the Mobility Component. I'm now having to reapply for PIP and I see that the review form states,
"What NOT to send: Information you've sent us before"
I'm guessing this means that the DWP disregards all "old" evidence (any that was submitted with earlier applications) so, if we don't provide new evidence, the DWP stops the awards of benefits? I have no new evidence that relates to the Mobility Component so, even though I still have the same problems with mobility, I'm anticipating that the DWP will use the lack of "proof" to justify stopping my award?

Assuming that this happens, is there any point in paying a private psychiatrist for an assessment report to submit with a Mandatory Reconsideration, or will the DWP dismiss such a report as invalid because it was paid for? I'm no longer under the care of the NHS so can't get any further supporting evidence that way.

Any info or suggestions hugely appreciated!

Hi Catherine,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and helpful reply.

Have you (or has anyone else) ever known anyone to retain their benefit award, despite having no up-to-date evidence?

I will post a separate question (with a new title), asking if anyone has successfully used a private practitioner's report to win an appeal.

Thanks again!

My opinion on the DWP not wanting you to send any information they've already seen is this: anything positive that increases your chances of a good outcome is discouraged.

I mean, come on. Why would a claimant send in anything detrimental to their case? Well, they just wouldn't would they?

I believe they disregard old evidence and try to put you off sending it to them again to weaken your argument and keep the numbers down.

They even say they don't want to see appointment letters. Why not? If Joe Bloggs has an appointment to see his Psychiatrist on xxxx why don't they want to know? So Joe Bloggs doesn 't send it, that's why.

And if this is the first and only letter poor old Joe has by way of proof that he is having psychiatric treatment then I'm afraid he's blown it if he follows the DWP's advice.

Sorry, Mr Bloggs, nil points.

Regards,

Phrank.

I just want to say I have paid £395 for my partner to see a lead consultant psychiatrist at London hospital for a private psychiatric assessment. My opinion is it was worth it he diagnosed her with four other mental health issues which is something I have been trying to get the mental health service where we live to do for many years without success. He gave us a full report after a 75 minute assessment which is more time than a mental health service psychiatrist has ever spent with her. I intend to use that report at her next assessment why should it be disregarded it is a report from a very highly regarded psychiatrist I would mop the floor with DWP at an appeal if they refused it. In my humble opinion it is definitely worth it to have a private assessment because as we all know and the DWP knows the mental health service here in the UK is broken.