Child DLA - PIP - Mandatory Reconsideration Success

Hi to all,

Just wanted to share with you a success story having referred a friend to join these forums to support his disabled son’s transition from Higher Rate Mobility and Higher Rate Care Child DLA to PIP upon reaching 16.

He joined B & W at my suggestion but as he is himself Dyslexic he found understanding the complexities involved to be particularly challenging. Accordingly, he asked me to assist in preparing the PIP submission and to appropriately reflect the devastating issues his son experiences as a result of his Cerebral Palsy.

Using the excellent guides here we submitted a comprehensive explanation of how his disabilities affect him confident that we had appropriately represented his predicament, supported with descriptive evidence from his clinicians and special school.

In due course (as his son’s appointee) he received notification of a telephone assessment with IAS (ATOS) in which he was informed that despite considerable difficulties his son would be required to participate.

At the appointed date/time he was contacted by the ‘healthcare professional’ (actually a paramedic) who was to conduct the assessment and who then proceeded to discuss with then both their application before effectively dismissing each of the carefully considered explanations we had provided on the PIP application form.

Following a very protracted delay, my friend eventually received a decision letter awarding a total of just 4 points thus removing all benefit support including the loss of the vehicle upon which he depended to transport his son (who cannot use public transport) to all his activities as well as ceasing his personal Carers Allowance.

We swiftly made the decision to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration using the advisory guides here and so to appeal this dreadful result.

Using the body of documentation submitted previously as the basis, this was further supported with a detailed point by point rebuffal provided by his school who were astonished and appalled by the DWP’s decision.

To be honest neither of us had any expectation that the MR would result in anything other than eventually lead to a lengthy appeal to tribunal!

He was both shocked and delighted therefore to open the dreaded ‘Belfast’ envelope and to learn that they had decided to award his son Enhanced Rate Daily Living and Enhanced Rate Mobility thus restoring his car (and Carers Allowance) with some 50 points awarded in reflection of his considerable difficulties so summarily dismissed by the IAS assessor!

Whilst it is truly shocking that such disparity in point allocation can even exist (let alone the resulting stress and upheaval caused) I can only thank the amazing people on these forums for the provision of such incredible material.

Needless to say, without everybody here the overturning of this egregious decision and the subsequent success could never have been achieved, so thank you one and all.

Without hesitation I shall continue to recommend these forums and to wholeheartedly value the vital support provided to vulnerable individuals (like my friend) who would otherwise be left in destitution by the very department responsible for administering the safety net that they should be able to rely upon for essential support at times of need.

PC Pilot