2nd Attempt at PIP Claim

Tayla

Hi all, 

I am a first time poster and have come across scope fairly regularly when doing research in making my initial PIP claim as detailed as possible. I have come back as my initial claim was not awarded anything, even after mandatory reconsideration. 

I am posting here for some advice, I apologise if this advice has been posted several times in previous threads. As most people, I feel completely cheated by the DWP not awarding me PIP. However, my query is a simple one, does anyone have any tips for my next claim il be submitting imminently.

for example, I am doing a few things differently, like registering my husband as my career through my GP. Could I do anything else like this?

I am also going to attempt to get a GP note describing how my conditions affect me.

Can I do anything else to evidence how I am from day to day? The DWP don’t seem to believe I suffer with my conditions because they can’t evidence it in black and white! For example, I have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and because I suffer with weakness, fatigue , nausea, migraine, I can’t move most days. Because I can’t evidence this they don’t seem to think I suffer. I honestly feel that if you cannot evidence that you have a missing limb or a doctor outright states “this patient suffers daily” the DWP will not believe anything you say or report to them… 

Any and all advice for more likely successful application is welcome. 

Thank you!

rubin16

Hi welcome to the community,

A doctors note is useless when it comes to PIP claims, as they don't see you everyday so most of the time its disregarded and they don't truly know how it affects you. Plus you have to normally pay for them.

The best evidence you can send is if you do an A4 sheet for each discriptor explaining how things effect you when you attempted them, what the consquences were when you attempted them and if anyone witnessed you doing them. Put your name and national insurance number ontop of each A4 sheet of paper.

They rarely speak to GP's or contact them for evidence as like I said they don't know what your like everyday outside the surgery.

Goodluck with your PIP claim.

poppy123456

Is there any reason why you didn't proceed to Tribunal after the MR? Most MR decisions remain the same anyway. There's much more chance of a decision in your favour if you proceed to Tribunal. 

Reapplying using the same evidence you previously used, will likely see another refusal. If this happens again you'll be in the same boat you're in now. 

Registering your husband with your GP as your carer will not help a PIP claim as this isn't treated as evidence. 

Colin_33

I had a lifetime award under DLA. When PIP came along I scored 1 point due to lack of evidence. Necessary documentation from the qualified medical professionals in hand, 18 months later I was rightfully awarded enhanced rates.

You need supporting documentation, not from a G.P. letter. That way it stops the cheats and 'rewards' genuinely disabled people.

Good luck.

Jimm_Scope

Hi @Tayla welcome to our community I'm sorry to hear your initial PIP application did not go well. How long has it been since the initial decision?

Medical evidence is not strictly necessary, but it certainly can help at the tribunal stage of the appeals process. Personal diaries, or daily logs of how you're affected can also be beneficial when it comes to the tribunal stage as well. 

I am not going to really get into my exact thoughts on how DWP decision makers consider evidence. However, at tribunals they do look at and take the evidence into consideration. 

woodbine

I'm not sure why you didn't take the first claim to tribunal after the MR failed, I would also agree that a letter from a GP is useless as they don't know how your daily life is affected they only know what you condition/illness is.
As your first attempt failed I would think very carefully about how you present your second claim and do as much research as possible.
The descriptors are what matter and the link below explains them and the points system.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

Tayla

poppy123456 said:

Is there any reason why you didn't proceed to Tribunal after the MR? Most MR decisions remain the same anyway. There's much more chance of a decision in your favour if you proceed to Tribunal. 

Reapplying using the same evidence you previously used, will likely see another refusal. If this happens again you'll be in the same boat you're in now. 

Registering your husband with your GP as your carer will not help a PIP claim as this isn't treated as evidence. 

Hi, I am not sure what the Tribunal process involves as I can’t find too much information about what it entails. I am predominantly housebound and wouldn’t want to travel or worsen my already fragile mental health with the stress. 

Any advice on what is involved in this process at all? 

Thanks 

poppy123456

Most hearings are by telephone or video. Some are still face to face but if you prefer telephone you can request that and there shouldn't be any issues with them agreeing to that. 

It would be in your best interests to choose either of those above because that will give you a 70% chance of success. Paper based hearing are considerably lower success at about 5-8%. 

You can request it online here.submit-appeal

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

When you request it you just need to give a brief reason why you disagree with the decision. You do not need to send anything you've already sent because DWP will send everything to them. You will then receive a copy of everything in what's known as the "bundle"

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. 

Although waiting times can be considerably long, it's worth doing this due to the increased rates of success. 

woodbine

some advice in this link:

https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal