PIP telephone assessment

Moana

Thank you very much. It’s so hard to explain how things do affect me so I’ll look at the link and do my best to give examples of what I struggle with. 

WhatThe

But they are designed that way to make people give up or not qualify because of lack of evidence. 

Absolutely and assumes claimants can see, read and write English adequately (hear and understand too) which many can't but they aren't on this forum. Lack of evidence for existing disability benefit claims, no, it just no longers counts. The emotional toll for those who do manage to return forms is huge as is the risk of hardship by default  

Moana

Thank you for your reply. When you ask for a MR do you just write a letter to say you want a MR? Or do you have to fill in the form and send it at the same time? Sorry also if you just write a letter asking for one how long do you get to fill in the form and get any evidence if you can? 

WhatThe

Search this forum for MR guidance

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Moana

Citizen's Advice have an information page on the MR process you may find helpful  

nasturtium

Hello Mona

I recently wrote a reply to another user of this forum about doing an MR Letter. Please see this link to my reply https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/733276/#Comment_733276

When you write your letter please make sure you include your name and national insurance number on  the letter and all pages included in your letter. Also if you have any further medical evidence to send please only send copies yof your medical evidence and include your name and national insurance number on every sheet of paper you include.

Hope that is of some help.

Nasturtium

Moana

Thank you so much I will have a look at your link now thank you. 

Moana

Hi just wanted to give an update that I applied for a MR an and than today I get a letter to say that  I won’t get PIP. Not sure what to do next 

poppy123456

It's not unusual for the MR decision not to change because only 23% of them do. Your next step is to request the Tribunal. You can do that online by using this link. https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal

There's also some information here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/

Moana

Thank you so much I will look at the link. I’m so sorry for the late reply but I didn’t get a notification that anyone had commented on my post so I’m really sorry I didn’t look earlier it’s all been a bit stressful. 

Moana

Hi sorry I haven’t been doing very well lately. I did fill the form in for a Tribunal as the MR was unsuccessful. Today I got a big letter through the post but am to worried to open it. I’m scared about havIng to do a Tribunal I just don’t understand why it has to be so hard.

poppy123456

That could be the "bundle" which will contain everything you sent for your claim, including the PIP2 form, assessment report, any additional evidence, your MR request letter. You need to check through it to make sure everything is included and keep it. You will need that with you during the hearing.

Moana

Ok thank you for your reply. I will open it and look at it. I struggle with understanding lots of information but will try. If something is wrong with it though will I need to tell them or just wait til I get a date through? 

poppy123456

You need to make sure everything you've sent is in there. If it isn't then contact DWP. You can also get some expert advice from an agency near you https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Moana

Thank you so much. I did contact citizens advice for help when I was asking for a MR but they gave me no help at all so will definitely look at the link you posted. 

Moana

Hi I got a message today asking for any additional evidence. What evidence do they want to see? I don’t know if I have any evidence to send but will that be bad for me when it goes to tribunal? 

poppy123456

It's normal for them to ask this. I'm sorry but i can't tell you what evidence exactly you should send because i don't know anything about your case. If you don't have anymore evidence then you can't send it. More than 50% of people successfully claim PIP without medical evidence so no, it's not needed.

Have you prepared your submission? If you didn't give a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies then you can do that for this. You should also include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Moana

Thank you so much I’ll try to write something down to send it to them. I’m not very good at explaining in words how things affect me. 

Lou67

@Moana
Good afternoon I hope you’re doing good today. 

You have been given great advice above.
I just wanted to come on and trying put your mind at ease about the tribunal.
I have been through 2 and found it so much easier than I had imagined it would be.
I was made to feel at ease, the panel were so polite and understanding.
I was given plenty of time to answer and if I needed a short pause for a drink or anything else they didn’t mind that at all.
I attended one in 2017 in person and I found out at the end I had won my appeal.
Then I done one by telephone in 2020 and they sent me out a letter 2 days later, I had also won, so don’t worry if they don’t tell you on the day. 
Good luck and look after yourself ❤️

Moana

Thank you so much i am so stressed about it all so thank you for your kind words. I really do hope that it will be ok when i have it. It just feels like I’ve tried to explain things on how my diagnosis affects me and yet I’ve not been able to do it. Thank you so much again