Mandatory reconsideration

BuzzerButton

We are still waiting for our mandatory reconsideration. I rang pip again and they still say they cannot see a decision on their screen. They say this is the same for all people & their decision, but I’m sure I’ve seen posts here that say that are told their decision & reward over the telephone? They said we have to wait ten days from posting date before ringing again when the decision will be re posted to us. It is our first attempt at pip/mr. We received no text either. Is it safe to say we have been denied? Realistically? 

Also, we was very unlucky because the original decision was made before Christmas, and we didn’t receive result until jan 04. They wouldn’t adjust our date, and age Uk didn’t have close appointments, so we were late returning. Gave all the evidence. However, I fear we will be in the same boat with the Easter delays. 

When they say ten days, does that include weekends/ bank holidays? 

poppy123456

If they can't see the decision then this indicates to me that no decision has been made yet. Once it's made it takes up to 24 hours for them to see it on the system because it needs to update before they can see it. 

Once it's updated they can 100% see it. It can take anything up to a couple of weeks to receive post from DWP, not including Sundays and bank holidays. With Easter weekend just behind us this will delay the post more. 

BuzzerButton

I’ve rung up twice and they said a decision has been made and has been posted on 27 March. Both callers say they can’t see a decision and that this is the same for everyone. 

It’s very frustrating because I know age Uk will be busy again, and with such long posting dates (with the added bank holidays on both dates) we are always playing catch up. 

So if they are saying they can’t see a decision, but it’s been posted, it is safe to assume the decision is negative? I know you don’t want to say it poppy, but I do know how much help you give here, so if that’s what it sounds like, please say it. Thanks for your help 

honeyhoney

@BuzzerButton ... try the "automatic line" if the decision is positive you should hear what and when your payment is

outdoors

"Automatic line" thanks you, hadn't heard of that before.  Had PIP payments for past 20pcm, had assumed that with no obvious online access to payments/deductions/changes/closure, I'd have to wait for a text/call and/or letter (Nb. Had a text 5 weeks back, thought I might hear something in May)

BuzzerButton

honeyhoney what’s the automatic line? Will it recognise our number or will w3 have to input data? 

BuzzerButton

I googled it. It’s 0800 121 4433. However, at the moment, they’re closed, so the options aren’t there. Thanks for the suggestion honeyhoney. I will be sure to try it tomorrow. 

honeyhoney

I don't remember exactly but I think it's an option... 5 and 3, anyway, you have to wait until the "robot" finishes talking and it should ask you security questions, after that you should hear when your payment is due

poppy123456

It used to be option 6 but it's now been removed. Instead they have included payment information as you wait in the queue once you've confirmed your details. If no payment information is given there's no award in place. 

Please also note that if a letter was sent on 27th that was only last Wednesday. We've had 2 bank holidays since then so the post will be delayed even further. 

BuzzerButton said:

Both callers say they can’t see a decision and that this is the same for everyone. 

That's simply not true. Many members have been told what the decision is when they ring, if it's been made, myself included. 

BuzzerButton

I tried it today, and the numbers weren’t in that order as I could tell. No post as yet. I have printed off a booklet from advicenow.org.uk
I can see that there is a lot to do with an appeal, and I will have a million questions over the next few months, but I wanted to ask a specific question. I recorded our pip interview (it was a telephone encounter on loudspeaker). I didn’t declare this to them. In the advice given from advice now website, they suggest referring heavily back to interview, and highlighting if the interviewer incorrectly wrote answers that you didn’t say. We have plenty of instances in our interview of this practise. Will it be acceptable for me to attach this recording as part of my appeal, even if I didn’t tell PIP . I have conflicting advice about this. 

poppy123456

You will not be able to use the recording because you didn't inform them that you would be recording it. 

Regardless of that, this isn't going to get you a PIP award. What you should concentrate on is where and why you think you should have scored those points. Give 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. 

The assessment is in the past now and you need to move on from it. The Tribunal already know that a lot of assessment reports are flawed, they don't need to be reminded of this. 

Concentrate on the weakness in your evidence, not the strength of their's.