Phone call from pip asking if I was sending anymore evidence for my MR

kerry77

Hi I am new here I began to claim pip in October had my face to face assessment and was awarded 6 points for care and 4 for mobility so I sent MR on 16th feb
today I got a phone call asking if I had any more evidence I sent extra evidence in with My MR letter 
she just said I will hear back in 5-10 days and ended call 
I am sat thinking about why I sent everything they asked I am awaiting a diagnostic outcome for autism and adhd had difficulties since being two but masked a lot it wasn’t till got a diagnosis for a rare chromosome condition it answered my questions why anyway they said in my reasons for no points there was no medical evidence to show I had these difficulties and I could mix with people because I did a face to face assessment also I have physical health conditions I scored for those but not my asd/adhd anxiety sensory processing disorder I sent the two questionnaire for my assessment for asd from my mum and husband with MR i didn’t think you needed a diagnosis to get pip ? 

The original award letter I got made it sound like I was a liar and could do everything I struggled with 
I just needed someone to talk to about it as having asd I don’t have friendships and my family don’t understand and are quite judgmental do you think I sent e

poppy123456

You're correct, you don't need a diagnosis to successfully be awarded PIP. The reason they gave for not awarding enough of points is one of the standard copy and paste reasons. Medical evidence isn't needed for a successful PIP award.

All you can do now is wait for the MR decision. If you're not happy you can then proceed to Tribunal.

chiarieds

Hi @kerrysands77 - & welcome to the community. Please don't worry about your PIP decision letter as there can be some often used responses which can make people feel they weren't believed; the 'copy & paste' comments poppy mentions.

kerry77

thank you I’m trying not to think about it hopefully it does change however I’m not confident I don’t think I know where to start with tribunal so I hope it doesn’t go that far 

Cher_Alumni

Hello @kerrysands77 and a warm welcome to our community, how are you today?

Just to let you know, I've deleted a few duplicate threads of yours so we can keep all replies in this one spot. And I'll be sending you an email shortly - nothing to worry about - so please keep an eye out for that.

We understand how the process can make people feel. It's not nice and words can hurt, but remember they are most likely generic templates that won't capture the reality of your lived experience. We're here whatever the outcome, so please try not to worry and take it one day at a time.

Wishing you lots of luck and hope to speak again soon.

kerry77

Thank you 🙏 

rebel11

kerrysands77 said:

thank you I’m trying not to think about it hopefully it does change however I’m not confident I don’t think I know where to start with tribunal so I hope it doesn’t go that far 

73% of PIP decisions get overturned at Appeal stage and only 23% at the MR stage. Tribunal shouldn't be as daunting as you think, a lot of the fear is in the 'perception', rather then the actual reality.  

rebel11

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/

kerry77

Thank you I’ve not heard anything back yet but they said 5-10 working days I am already looking into the whole process of appeal in preparation as i like to know these things in case
 thank you 😊 

kerry77

Received my hi i received my MR back as I suspected they have upheld the original decision 
so I’m now looking at taking it to tribunal which has my anxiety soaring but I’ve read through a lot of successful cases overturned so I’m a bit hopeful any advice on where to start and get help I would be very grateful 

poppy123456

You can request it online here https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal
You just need to give a brief reason why you disagree with the decision. DWP will then be given a timescale in which to respond. 

I’d advise you to either request a telephone/video hearing or face to face because either of those will give you the best chance of a decision in your favour. (73%) 
You can also speak to an advice agency near you for expert advice and support. https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

kerry77

poppy123456 said:

You can request it online here https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal
You just need to give a brief reason why you disagree with the decision. DWP will then be given a timescale in which to respond. 

I’d advise you to either request a telephone/video hearing or face to face because either of those will give you the best chance of a decision in your favour. (73%) 
You can also speak to an advice agency near you for expert advice and support. https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Thank you I will do the above 

rebel11

kerrysands77 said:

Received my hi i received my MR back as I suspected they have upheld the original decision 
so I’m now looking at taking it to tribunal which has my anxiety soaring but I’ve read through a lot of successful cases overturned so I’m a bit hopeful any advice on where to start and get help I would be very grateful 

You're in good company, me too, although I've gone from 0 points to 2, I like to think of that as solid progress, you have to laugh.

Look at the descriptors where you haven't scored, give 'real world examples', don't concentrate completely on the report errors, but correct the things that need correcting, if they are 'glaring' errors. 

kerry77

rebel11 said:

kerrysands77 said:

Received my hi i received my MR back as I suspected they have upheld the original decision 
so I’m now looking at taking it to tribunal which has my anxiety soaring but I’ve read through a lot of successful cases overturned so I’m a bit hopeful any advice on where to start and get help I would be very grateful 

You're in good company, me too, although I've gone from 0 points to 2, I like to think of that as solid progress, you have to laugh.

Look at the descriptors where you haven't scored, give 'real world examples', don't concentrate completely on the report errors, but correct the things that need correcting, if they are 'glaring' errors. 

Thank you I am keeping a diary of how things affect me daily and adding things I forgot to add like I use noise reduction in earbuds to block out noises I didn’t realise these are class as an aid but now I do so I shall add that and the other things I use 
congratulations on your 2 point progress 
I am online  for appeal but I am struggling how to word why I believe the dwp decision was wrong as the initial award letter is contradicted by the MR letter but still could award me 
any help with wording this please at all 

kerry77

Sorry couldn’t award me 

rebel11

Firstly, because the DWP website is interactive, you can simply copy and paste reasons for your Appeal into it. Write out your reasons in 'Word' first. So you aren't trying to think about what you want to write, you can take your time doing it. You were awarded the following: 'awarded 6 points for care and 4 for mobility'.

So concentrate on the areas where you should have scored more points or where didn't score any points.

'Use your decision letter, statement of reasons and medical assessment report to note each of the statements you disagree with and why. Give facts, examples and medical evidence (if you have any) to support what you’re saying.'

'An example of depression affecting eating and drinking

I don’t think you’ve taken into account the effects of my severe depression when it comes to preparing food and eating. I find it hard to concentrate, so even if I push myself to start I can’t finish making a meal. I only eat meals I can heat up in the microwave. On the times I have tried to cook from scratch I have burned myself because I lose concentration and forget I have a pan on the hob.'

Take a look at the following:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/

Take your time doing this, your not in a race.

kerry77

rebel11 said:

Firstly, because the DWP website is interactive, you can simply copy and paste reasons for your Appeal into it. Write out your reasons in 'Word' first. So you aren't trying to think about what you want to write, you can take your time doing it. You were awarded the following: 'awarded 6 points for care and 4 for mobility'.

So concentrate on the areas where you should have scored more points or where didn't score any points.

'Use your decision letter, statement of reasons and medical assessment report to note each of the statements you disagree with and why. Give facts, examples and medical evidence (if you have any) to support what you’re saying.'

'An example of depression affecting eating and drinking

I don’t think you’ve taken into account the effects of my severe depression when it comes to preparing food and eating. I find it hard to concentrate, so even if I push myself to start I can’t finish making a meal. I only eat meals I can heat up in the microwave. On the times I have tried to cook from scratch I have burned myself because I lose concentration and forget I have a pan on the hob.'

Take a look at the following:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/

Take your time doing this, you’re not in a race.

Thank you I have submitted my application for appeal and it’s been lodged now I have other evidence but it’s paper so I’ve seen I can post this which I shall do once I gathered it all together I have a diary of my days 
would it be helpful to write how everything affects me in my best words ? Like when I have meltdowns and describe what this entails ? 

nasturtium

kerrysands77 said:

Thank you I have submitted my application for appeal and it’s been lodged now I have other evidence but it’s paper so I’ve seen I can post this which I shall do once I gathered it all together I have a diary of my days 
would it be helpful to write how everything affects me in my best words ? Like when I have meltdowns and describe what this entails ? 

If you have submitted an appeal online then you can scan your paper evidence and upload it from the appeal dashboard.

If you intend to post your paper evidence by mail then send copies of your paper evidence and not the origionals because you need to keep a copy for yourself.

Which ever way you decide to submit your evidence make sure that your name, date of birth and natonal insurance number is clearly written and visable on the top of each sheet of paper you submit.

"would it be helpful to write how everything affects me in my best words?" You need to write down in detail the problems you have with each activity according to the descriptors. Exlain why you cannot do the activity Reliably(safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor or to an acceptable standard). So if it is not safe for you to do something the explain why it is not safe and give a real world examle of what happene dthe last time you completed the activity.

This website will help you to construct what you need to say https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

Also it is advisable to seek local advice from a welfare center in your area. You can search here for your local center https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Hope that helps

Nasturtium

kerry77

nasturtium said:

kerrysands77 said:

Thank you I have submitted my application for appeal and it’s been lodged now I have other evidence but it’s paper so I’ve seen I can post this which I shall do once I gathered it all together I have a diary of my days 
would it be helpful to write how everything affects me in my best words ? Like when I have meltdowns and describe what this entails ? 

If you have submitted an appeal online then you can scan your paper evidence and upload it from the appeal dashboard.

If you intend to post your paper evidence by mail then send copies of your paper evidence and not the origionals because you need to keep a copy for yourself.

Which ever way you decide to submit your evidence make sure that your name, date of birth and natonal insurance number is clearly written and visable on the top of each sheet of paper you submit.

"would it be helpful to write how everything affects me in my best words?" You need to write down in detail the problems you have with each activity according to the descriptors. Exlain why you cannot do the activity Reliably(safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor or to an acceptable standard). So if it is not safe for you to do something the explain why it is not safe and give a real world examle of what happene dthe last time you completed the activity.

This website will help you to construct what you need to say https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

Also it is advisable to seek local advice from a welfare center in your area. You can search here for your local center https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Hope that helps

Nasturtium

Thank you for your advice I’m so grateful 

rebel11

Just to add, do some preparation for the Appeal, just pointers to help you expand if you have to, 

poppy123456

There's no need to send any evidence that you've already sent to PIP because the Tribunal will receive everything you've already sent. At some point you will receive a copy of everything in the "bundle" you should go through everything to make sure it's all there.