Hi, my name is needempathy! had my 3 year review

needempathy

Hello there 
I am really struggling at the moment . I had living allowance enhanced rate and had my 3 year review since then my mobility decreased and I had very strong medical letters that I was told by citizens advice would mean I should get some mobility pip and we didn’t expect my living enhanced to go down 

I suffer daily with pain I have 3 physical issues and anxiety and depression . My mental health has declined with this outcome I am feeling even more panicked when I suffer from panic attacks anyway 

please can anyone advise I don’t know what to do 

I phoned the automated line and it said my amount was less so had an awful feeling when I called they said yes the letters not been sent but yes it’s gone down 

Any help would be appreciated 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @needempathy

I'm so sorry to hear you have been struggling. I would encourage you to reach out to your GP to see if they can help support you more. There are organisations like SHOUT who are a 24/7 texting service should you need to speak to anyone.

With your PIP, you can go through Mandatory Reconsideration. I would also wait until your letter has come just to double check the award you were told on the automated line was correct. 

needempathy

Hi there thank you 

I did check over the phone and they said yes it’s gone down that the automated line was correct and to wait for the letter with reasons I’m even needing pain patches for my pain and I can’t believe the response from 
dwp I have got worse since my review physically not better 

has anyone else had this experience 

thank you 

poppy123456

I’m surprised that the decision letter wasn’t sent when the decision was actually made because usually this is what happens. I’m wondering if the actual decision has really been made yet. I would ring and ask them again. Just so that you’re aware the automated payment line has been known to give incorrect information.

If the decision has been made then you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR) You should put this in writing stating where and why you think you should have scored those points.

When you filled out the review form did you treat it as a new claim and give as much information as possible? 

If you didn’t include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you then you should do that now. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the  consequences were.

Do be aware that they will not take into consideration any worsening of condition since the assessment took place. They will be looking to see if the decision was correct at the time it was made.

Once a decision has been made on the MR if you’re not happy you can proceed to Tribunal. 

Timescales for MRs are up to 12 weeks. 

needempathy

Thank you yes it had worsened even when I had my enhanced living but it’s gone down ! So it makes no sense I’ve lived with physical pain for years but yes before the review I have medical evidence of it worsening so for it to go from enhanced to lower is really shocking even for citizens advice they were surprised 

I did include examples and when they phoned me I gave details of how it had worsened even before my review and so when it worsened I called them up and they made out I was eligible for mobility however I got enhanced living before and no mobility so I reported worsening before my review as I had the medical evidence and then when they reviewed it they have reduced 

I will have to give details for each point even though I did go through it with citizens advice and did that already 

needempathy

This was the process 

I got pip awarded enhanced living 3/4 years ago 

I didn’t get mobility 

I phoned a few months before my review was due maybe 6 months or more before with my medical evidence that my physical conditioned had worsened as before I got living just for anxiety and then my physical element worsened where I had tests done and now under specialist hospital to manage  long term physical issue 

the review I sat down with citizens advice they wrote examples and my medication and medical letters from consultant and very strong letters before my review was due I had these letters so I just don’t know why this had happened I’m living with 24/7 pain there isn’t a second I’m not in pain so it’s chronic 

I get the assessment via phone and the lady was a sort of nurse but very rude and not helping as I was getting very tired and confused with what she was saying which is part of my stress and the pain was distracting me however I could already feel she was against me on the phone 

I get a text saying 

Your PIP review is complete. You should receive your decision letter in 2 weeks. Once you receive your letter, contact us if you have any questions. Do not call before you get the letter as we will not be able to tell you the decision. Please remember to contact us if your circumstances change.

I phone the automated line and said my payment had lowered it was half of what I get so I had a horrible feeling 

when I called they said yes that’s correct your living has been reduced and no mobility . I said to them I’m shocked and I will have to appeal it they said wait for your letter yet as it was not yet sent out .

the issue is my stress and numbness in my hands causes issues writing which is from the physical issues I have so citizens advice had to fill out the form for me and I can’t focus on these stressful tasks  long when stressed and pain and I told her I can’t even manage my money as I’m in debts and that is true and something she asked specifically so I don’t understand unless she’s lied on paper or not written my answers properly 

the medical evidence was the strongest point where my consultant said my mobility is very restricted not just restricted but very … 

thank you for your help as you can understand my stress levels are peak now to have to go through appeals