Reconsideration without looking the supportive docs

sheri1381

Hi everyone

I hope you're all doing well.

I'll be very thankful if you can help me with this

My PIP rejected in early Dec 2022 by two points. I asked for reconsideration on 14th Dec 2022 and

I was told I have 4 weeks to send additional document and that my case will be reconsiderd by 8/2/23. It meant that I had time till 14 Jan. My wallfare solicitor sent them supportive documents on 2nd January.

Today, I received a letter from DWP that I am rejected again with the same points.

However, in the decision letter they haven't mentioned about my solicitor letter. 

They said they looked at my application and the report from the consultant.The cover page is just exactly the same as the first decision.

I'm just wonderd whether they have received the solicitor letter or not since it was posted on 2nd and it might take a few days. On the other hand, the date of DWP letter is 10th Jan. Could they reconsider before the solicitor letter arrived?

Why did they reconsidred before the deadline of sending document?

Also, if they received the solicitor letter, shouldn't they mention my solicitor? In the decision report there is not even a word shows they have looked the additional doc 

I'm so sorry if this is confusing but could you please advise me? 

Thanks a lot

poppy123456

Once you ring to request the MR then the time starts ticking. They don't have to wait for any extra evidence to be sent to them before making the decision. This is one of the reasons i will usually advise everyone to put the request in writing and not to ring to request it.

If you have a rep i'm very surprised they didn't advise you of this. The majority of MR decisions remain the same anyway and yes a lot of them are just copy and paste of the original decision.

You can now proceed to Tribunal.

calcotti

I wouldn’t expect to use a solicitor for an MR (or indeed a tribunal). Was this a specialist?
There are benefit advice agency who will not charge you for help.
https://advicelocal.uk/

sheri1381

Thank you calcotti said:

I wouldn’t expect to use a solicitor for an MR (or indeed a tribunal). Was this a specialist?
There are benefit advice agency who will not charge you for help.
https://advicelocal.uk/

Thank you for your help. Actually my close friend is a welfare benefit solicitor and he helped me for submitting reconsideration without charge. otherwise Ican't afford to pay for a solicitor 

rebel11

Sheri, I think you mean Welfare Officer.

I would write to them, explain that further evidence was sent and delays due to the postal strikes (they are aware of) means that they might not have received the evidence in time. So can they revisit their decision.

You will know the actual facts behind their decision instead of speculating, then you can reassess where to go from there, complain to the DWP, Appeal, write to MP etc.  

sheri1381

rebel11 said:

Sheri, I think you mean Welfare Officer.

I would write to them, explain that further evidence was sent and delays due to the postal strikes (they are aware of) means that they might not have received the evidence in time. So can they revisit their decision.

You will know the actual facts behind their decision instead of speculating, then you can reassess where to go from there, complain to the DWP, Appeal, write to MP etc.  

Thank you for your help. Yes you're right. Walfare officer, I guess.

poppy123456

sheri1381 said:

Thank you calcotti said:

I wouldn’t expect to use a solicitor for an MR (or indeed a tribunal). Was this a specialist?
There are benefit advice agency who will not charge you for help.
https://advicelocal.uk/

Thank you for your help. Actually my close friend is a welfare benefit solicitor and he helped me for submitting reconsideration without charge. otherwise Ican't afford to pay for a solicitor 

If he helped you without charging indicates that he usually helps others but charges for that. Welfare Rights Officers don't charge for their help.