PIP MR denied - questions

Hello,

I'm low on spoons at the moment so am not able to scour the forum currently without getting more symptomatic.

I've just had my MR come back stamped Denied.

I was originally awarded the standard rate for Mobility in October, and nothing for Daily Living (this remains unchanged). I believe I am eligible to the higher rate of both awards. I attempted to write to the DM after receiving the PA4, but they had a quick turnaround and the letter didn't arrive before the initial decision was made. I then wrote an additional letter to request my MR, reiterating and expanding on a lot of the contents of the first letter. I lay out in detail the areas in which the PA4 was incorrect, and exactly how I meet the criteria for different points.

There's been no reference in the MR to either letter having been read. I know the first letter at least had already been scanned into the system, having spoken to an advisor after the initial decision. Therefore, that information could and should have been taken into account for the MR.

1) am I right in thinking I am supposed to be contacted by the case manager to have their reasoning explained for my MR denial? I'm sure I read somewhere that's standard practice. I've received no call, just a letter this morning.

2) if it is not necessarily the case that I will be phoned, am I able to request to speak to them to ask if they actually read my additional evidence (those two letters), and have them justify their decision?

I will appeal regardless.

(I'm blinking mad in the meantime though.)

Thank you.

Dear VS, once and only once you have submitted a thorough appeal, as Gary says, you could put in a complaint to your MP about them not reading the evidence.
It may not do any good, but perhaps it is one snowflake in an avalanche to convince MPs the system is being dishonestly operated and have them take more interest in correcting this...help you feel better venting your utterly justified rage anyway!
Denby

Thanks Gary. I'm not sure how I'd got that in my head but I suppose that's one less thing to worry about now, and I can just concentrate on the appeal.

Thanks for the support, Denby. It's something I'll consider doing. I've worsened symptoms through the amount of energy I've put into this over the last couple of months though, so have to weigh up whether it's sensible to just try to swallow the unfairness and protect my energy now. (If only DWP staff could know what this feels like.)

You're welcome VS. Parent to a 'spoonie' and struggling myself to deal with my own paperwork , after the time it took to do her PIP review, I really sympathise.
Denby