Pip appeal

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

kjay

Hi 

I currently receive lower rate mobility and I submitted a change of circumstances to review for higher mobility and daily
living. They scored me 2 points lower than the standard daily living and kept me on lower rate mobility.  My support worker submitted a mandatory reconsideration and they have come back with the same so she has submitted an appeal. She mentioned they could lapse the appeal as I am only two points off but can I ask how this work and how soon after lodging the appeal would they do this? 

It’s all really stressful and daunting and sending me insane I would just like to know if anybody else can share their experience of lapsed appeals or the appeals process

chiarieds

Hi @kjay - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry a Mandatory Reconsideration didn't change your award, but the success rate where this happens is in fact very low. However, the success rate for PIP with a tribunal is currently 68%, so a big difference.

Your support worker is obviously feeling that, as you are only needing a further 2 points to get the standard award for daily living, that the DWP may make you an offer before your tribunal. She may well be right, but there's no guarantee. Should this happen, & you decide to accept an offer made by the DWP, then your tribunal would lapse, or close. Be aware that should this happen the DWP are likely thinking that if you should continue to a tribunal they feel you'd likely get a higher, or longer award, or both.

I can't say when, or if, the DWP might make such an offer, but some of Scope's members have experienced this shortly before their tribunal. Should this happen & the DWP offered you a higher award, you can accept, wait until you receive your payment, then still ask for a tribunal without having to go through another Mandatory Reconsideration. but, this could then take several more months.

It is actually faster to just proceed with your tribunal if you refuse the DWP's offer. With a tribunal it's like you're starting all over again, but they will warn you beforehand, or on the day if they consider that they would in fact lower your award, then you would decide not to proceed.

Sorry this is lengthy, but hope it shows potential options should they arise. Please do come back with any questions.

Edited to add, with a tribunal there will be a judge, a Dr, & someone with an understanding about disability. Currently these are done by phone/video call. A tribunal in this case is purely inquisatorial, i.e. will just ask questions about how your disability affects you, as they just want to find out more, & you will be listened to. You can also have someone with you for support, just introduce them at the start.