PIP Refusal

alittlebitalexis

I called PIP today for an update and was informed that it’s was a disallowance and the letter had been sent. I’d expected this in all honesty as I requested my report and had only been given 4 points on that. It was full of incorrect information and didn’t accurately reflect the assessment or my situation, however I do understand that the assessor doesn’t written everything verbatim. Although I was expecting it, I’m still feeling extremely down about it. Having to explain over and over how my mental health is impacting every area of my life atm and to have someone decide it’s actually not that bad seems like yet another kick in the teeth and just incredible draining. I’ve requested a MR for UC LCWRA already this week. Any advice for how to properly apply for a MR for PIP would be greatly appreciated

Thanks 

nasturtium

Hello allitlebitalexis

I am sorry to hear you have not had the result you were expected for your PIP Claim.

I always advise a claimant to explain there problems according to the descriptors in detail on there PIP2 Questionnaire form (how your disability affects you form) because then the DWP have your problems and personal anacdotal written evidence in black and white.

If you did not give detailed personal anacdotal written evidence on your PIP2 Questionnaire form then all is not lost. You now have a second chance to explain your problems you have with the 12 PIP activities that are applicable to you in writting with an MR Letter. You have 1 month from the descision letter to write a detailed letter but with good reason (your mental health or disability) you have 13 months  to request a MR for your claim so there is plenty of time to get to grips with the PIP activities and what the descriptors mean and how they are worded.

PIP is awarded based on the level of problems you have completing the 12 PIP activities reliably (safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor and to an acceptable standard) for the majority of days. If you need help with the descriptors and what they mean then the Government has a section on there site about what the PIP assessment means and what the assessors are looking for. It explains and outlines what "Reliably" means and it explains what the various PIP activities and descriptors mean. You can find the information here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

I write a detailed reply about writing a MR letter and what to include. It is about a physical disability but you can substitues the physical side and replace it with a mental health aspect. For example in you need prompting why do you need prompting etc. Here is the link that also contains links to other advice websites that give information on how to fill in the PIP2 Questionnaire form which you are basically doing again but in more detail with your MR Letter  https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/680205/#Comment_680205

Also Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Hope that helps

Nasturtium

alittlebitalexis

nasturtium said:

Hello allitlebitalexis

I am sorry to hear you have not had the result you were expected for your PIP Claim.

I always advise a claimant to explain there problems according to the descriptors in detail on there PIP2 Questionnaire form (how your disability affects you form) because then the DWP have your problems and personal anacdotal written evidence in black and white.

If you did not give detailed personal anacdotal written evidence on your PIP2 Questionnaire form then all is not lost. You now have a second chance to explain your problems you have with the 12 PIP activities that are applicable to you in writting with an MR Letter. You have 1 month from the descision letter to write a detailed letter but with good reason (your mental health or disability) you have 13 months  to request a MR for your claim so there is plenty of time to get to grips with the PIP activities and what the descriptors mean and how they are worded.

PIP is awarded based on the level of problems you have completing the 12 PIP activities reliably (safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor and to an acceptable standard) for the majority of days. If you need help with the descriptors and what they mean then the Government has a section on there site about what the PIP assessment means and what the assessors are looking for. It explains and outlines what "Reliably" means and it explains what the various PIP activities and descriptors mean. You can find the information here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

I write a detailed reply about writing a MR letter and what to include. It is about a physical disability but you can substitues the physical side and replace it with a mental health aspect. For example in you need prompting why do you need prompting etc. Here is the link that also contains links to other advice websites that give information on how to fill in the PIP2 Questionnaire form which you are basically doing again but in more detail with your MR Letter  https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/680205/#Comment_680205

Also Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Hope that helps

Nasturtium

This is extremely helpful, thank you for taking the time to reply and explain! I’ll wait for the letter to arrive (hope it doesn’t take too long as the wait is adding to the anxiety!) and then go about asking for a MR. It’s all so very stressful isn’t it?! 

alittlebitalexis

paries1 said:

alittlebitalexis said:

I called PIP today for an update and was informed that it’s was a disallowance and the letter had been sent. I’d expected this in all honesty as I requested my report and had only been given 4 points on that. It was full of incorrect information and didn’t accurately reflect the assessment or my situation, however I do understand that the assessor doesn’t written everything verbatim. Although I was expecting it, I’m still feeling extremely down about it. Having to explain over and over how my mental health is impacting every area of my life atm and to have someone decide it’s actually not that bad seems like yet another kick in the teeth and just incredible draining. I’ve requested a MR for UC LCWRA already this week. Any advice for how to properly apply for a MR for PIP would be greatly appreciated

Thanks 

I’m also in the process of applying for the first time because of MH issues. Are you on any meds or in therapy and did you put this on the form ? 

I’ve been told by quite a few people to expect 0 points on everything. 

Yes, I’ve recently had my medication increased and changed (I included this as evidence) and have been referred to the mental health team - that happens in the last two days so wasn’t included. I’ve been unable to work for the last 14 months but the report continuously mentioned my previous employment as examples of why the PIP points weren’t given/didn’t apply. I was previously seeing a private psychiatrist weekly through employment provided healthcare but that’s now stopped as I can’t afford it. I included all this as evidence but I think the DM has just gone with the assessors report 😞

nasturtium

alittlebitalexis said:

and then go about asking for a MR. It’s all so very stressful isn’t it?! 

I forgot to mention do not telephone to start your MR because as soon as you telephone it starts the clock ticking and you may not have time to write your detailed letter. You do not have to inform them over the phone that you are doing an MR you can just write a detailed MR letter and send it to the address on the descision letter. Please do not telephone them about your MR put it in writing.

Nasturtium

poppy123456

You can either write a letter or use the form here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/challenge-a-decision-made-by-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-dwp

You do not need to ring them to request the MR or to tell them you're requesting it. As soon as you ring them to time starts ticking and they do not have to wait for you to send a letter or more evidence. A decision can be made at anytime. Though it can also take up to 12 weeks.

nasturtium

Hello paries1

paries1 said:

Hi nasturtium, so when they send you the refusal letter , do you then just write the detailed MR form and send it ? You don’t need to inform them before that you are requesting a MR ? 

Yes you just write the detailed MR letter and post it to the address on the decision letter. You do not need to inform them over the phone. I strongly advise that you do not telephone them to start your MR.

paries1 said:

Sorry just clearing this up coz it’ll probably happen to me too 
On your detailed MR letter you should just say I’m requesting a MR ? 

Thx 

You cannot say this will happen to you because you have not filled out your form yet and sent it off. If you follow my advice above and give very detailed personal written anacdotal evidence on why you cannot do the 12 PIP activities Reliably (Please read the link and information about Reliably because it is VERY important when claiming PIP to explain why you cannot do an activity Reliably) If you have not filled in your form yet now is the time to read what you need to include on the form. If you need extra time you can telephone PIP and request an extension and extra time to fill in your form. All the help you need I have referenced to above posts.

Do not start thinking about an MR before you have done your PIP2 Questionnaire. The more detailed your PIP2 Questionnaire with your own personal detailed anecdotal written evidence the greater the chance of getting an award.

If there is not enough space on the form for your personal detailed anecdotal written evidence then you can include extra sheets referencing the question you are addressing and your name and national insurance number on every exra sheet included. Also include you name and national insurance number on every "Copy" of medical evidence you include also.

Hope that helps.

Nasturtium

nasturtium

paries1 said:
do you think I should include this ? 

Many thanks 🙏 

I cannot tell what to include with your claim or what not to include because I do not know your circumstances and it is only you that can decide if that medical evidence would help your claim or not.

If you think it would support the reasons why you are claiming then include it with your application and if it has any relevance to a PIP activity then quote that medical evidence within your detailed anecdotal evidence on your PIP2 Questionnaire form.

Nasturtium

poppy123456

paries1 said:

nasturtium said:

Hello paries1

paries1 said:

Hi nasturtium, so when they send you the refusal letter , do you then just write the detailed MR form and send it ? You don’t need to inform them before that you are requesting a MR ? 

Yes you just write the detailed MR letter and post it to the address on the decision letter. You do not need to inform them over the phone. I strongly advise that you do not telephone them to start your MR.

paries1 said:

Sorry just clearing this up coz it’ll probably happen to me too 
On your detailed MR letter you should just say I’m requesting a MR ? 

Thx 

You cannot say this will happen to you because you have not filled out your form yet and sent it off. If you follow my advice above and give very detailed personal written anacdotal evidence on why you cannot do the 12 PIP activities Reliably (Please read the link and information about Reliably because it is VERY important when claiming PIP to explain why you cannot do an activity Reliably) If you have not filled in your form yet now is the time to read what you need to include on the form. If you need extra time you can telephone PIP and request an extension and extra time to fill in your form. All the help you need I have referenced to above posts.

Do not start thinking about an MR before you have done your PIP2 Questionnaire. The more detailed your PIP2 Questionnaire with your own personal detailed anecdotal written evidence the greater the chance of getting an award.

If there is not enough space on the form for your personal detailed anecdotal written evidence then you can include extra sheets referencing the question you are addressing and your name and national insurance number on every exra sheet included. Also include you name and national insurance number on every "Copy" of medical evidence you include also.

Hope that helps.

Nasturtium

Thanks so much nasturtium, atm I’m just gathering my medical evidence . I have a letter from DVLA they sent to me asking me to send my licence back saying “ you must not drive , we have received medical evidence about your memory and concentration “ 
do you think I should include this ? 

Many thanks 🙏 

Only you can decide what to include as evidence. Remember though, sending several pieces of evidence all saying the same thing isn’t helpful. Less is often more. 

Don’t assume that you will be refused because that may not happen. We mostly only read the bad stories. 

RYE280906

I've just had a review of my pip scored 0 points I am just waiting for Mr  I am so scared never been through this before

Hannah_Alumni

@RYE280906 If you feel you need extra support, you can always reach out to Citizen's Advice