Pip Assessment

poppy123456

The PIP self test is really awful and doesn't give a true result of how many points maybe possible unless you fully understand the PIP descriptors and what they mean. Not many people fully understand them and It's very easy to under score and even over score yourself.

This link is the best one to have a read of and will hopefully help you going forward. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

If it gets to Tribunal there's no specific wording you should or should use. Letters from a GP are never the best evidence to send because your GP doesn't spend any time with you to know how you manage any of the descriptors.

When you filled out the form or sent the MR letter request (assuming you put the request in writing) if you didn't give a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you, then you should do that. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Please do not focus entirely on the reasons for refusal or focus too much on the assessment report because that isn't going to get you a PIP award. Focus on the weakness in your evidence, not the strength of theirs. Remember, they will only take into consideration how your conditions were at the time the assessment took place. Any worsening of condition since then will not be considered.

Solitaryguppy

Just a minor update

My MR is due to be looked at on the 12/06/2024, so it's just under two months from when I submitted the MR

Lanson66

hi my mr was submitted end of May and the text message advising me that it would be looked at by 9 July so About 6 weeks which is promising. I submitted the mr request by phone and agreed that I will provide additional information by letter by first week in June, disappointingly this can not be done by email so it means preparing a letter and then getting it printed off and then posting which adds time and inconvenience, particularly when the initial pip application was submitted online. I guess that email submission will be introduced at some point.

Solitaryguppy

MR decisions have been extended to 15 weeks (according to the PIP enquiry line)

So I may not get a decision until the end of July

Solitaryguppy

MR Decision came through - 2 points (predicted it)

Submitted Appeal at Tribunal - will keep you posted

Lanson66

I had a text message again yesterday saying that my pip is being looked at by 9 July

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/882249#Comment_882249

You may not have a decision by that date because I know waiting times for MR decisions have increased recently to up to 15 weeks.

Lanson66

no I didn’t think for one minute that I would get a decision at that time. I am assuming that I will be turned down and have to go to tribunal. Prior to tribunal I assume that I can provide a lengthy summary of the pip decision giving my reasons as to why I consider the decision to be wrong? I have already drafted the letter and my opinion as to how many points I should be awarded for each daily living question, surprisingly my score which I feel is fair was over 20 points compared to the zero points I was awarded and mobility was 10 again as opposed to zero

Jimm_Scope

You will have quite some time to prepare for the tribunal @Lanson66. You can of course provide a written statement to the tribunal. Though the best evidence is attending in person or via telephone/video. You can read more about it here: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/challenging-pip-or-other-benefits-decisions#Tribunal-appeal-click

Solitaryguppy

2 days before the DWP have to respond to my appeal (they've not yet)

I did send further evidence.

Is it one rule for us and one rule for them? In that they often breach the deadline?

If we breached the deadline, then there would be consequences

Their statement should be forfeited and a hearing date set.

IMO