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Zero points for PIP, need help with Mandatory Reconsideration

Anonymous26

Hi all,

I've just had my letter to say I've been refused PIP, zero points, I suffer with anxiety (general and social), depression and autism. I don't know how to do or start a mandatory reconsideration.

My letter said -

I can manage taking nutrition and toilet needs which I can but but nutrition wise I do struggle to eat certain foods due to texture and overwhelming taste, so this can restrict me in some ways. Not sure if that counts.

The letter says - you were able to attend the telephone assessment alone (yes because I cannot have a telephone call with someone else in the room I have to leave), you coped and engaged well (I cried and kept stumbling over my words), you did not require prompting (is asking the questions not classed as prompting?), you were able to recall recent and past events (yes autism will do that, I remember so many details, why is that relevant? Also I had notes in front of me and even said in the assessment "one second I have my notes I'm trying to find it"), you have a good understanding of your conditions (yes I've lived with them for over 10 years), you can use pre-prepared convenience foods and a microwave (does pre-prepared food not prove I struggle preparing food? I'm clumsy and worry I'll hurt myself as I have before, I panic if I'm cooking due to making sure the timing is right and everything is cooked etc), you will keep in touch with family (I literally live with my mum and sister, other than that I have one brother and sister and we talk over Facebook messenger), you use the internet for general browsing (relevance?), you can manage your mail and correspondence (I never once said that), you can use your mobile telephone for calls and texts (I said in my forms and on the phone that I get terrible telephone anxiety and if I'm not expecting a call I will shake and won't answer), you said you have difficulty following and planning a journey (I really do), you are on a standard dose of antidepressant medication (are they even allowed to say this? I'm on sertraline 100mg), at the assessment you didn't show any signs of overwhelming psychological distress, I decided you can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided (first of all how condescending, second of all, with what information? I did show psychological distress, when talking about making a journey I broke down crying??) it says this is consistent with your medical history (I never mention travelling to my doctors? They even had to write me a note saying I couldn't travel to my passport interview because of my anxiety) and my description of a typical day (I only go to the shop most days and I always go with my mum to get essentials, the shop is a 10 minute walk from my home and where I'm from everyone knows everyone). It also says I have no specialist mental health input but I've explained that was because I'm so anxious I find it hard to open up to anyone and my autism makes it so hard to express and communicate how I feel, even to my own close family, so no way can I sit and be vulnerable with a therapist.

Sorry I'm aware this is so long but I'm just looking for some help with this

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Anonymous26

Also just to add, would having my siblings and partner write a letter backing up what I say help? Or is it not worth that?

chiarieds

Hi @Anonymous26 - I'm sorry your PIP decision letter wasn't at all as you'd have hoped.

First I'd say that the decision maker often uses 'cut & paste' phrases which often bear no resemblance to a claimant. What's important is to have a good understanding of the PIP activities/descriptors. You may find the link below helpful (altho it's about PIP claims, it's still relevant if proceeding with a Mandatory Reconsideration).

With a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) another decision maker will look at everything again including your initial claim form.

Do put your MR in writing; a letter is fine.

Remember PIP is not about any diagnosis, but rather how your disability affects you with certain activities of daily living &/mobility the majority of the time.

With your MR you should say where you think you should have got points, & why, giving a couple of detailed examples as to the difficulty you face for each applicable descriptor, i.e. when did it happen, where, what exactly happened, did anyone see this, & were there any consequences to attempting/doing an activity?

Say if you can't do an activity 'reliably,' i.e. safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as one would reasonably expect, or if it takes you much longer than someone without a disability.

There's no harm in having your partner or siblings writing a supportive letter, but again, make sure these are relevant to the PIP descriptors.

Put your name & National Insurance number on each page; keep a copy, & get a free Certificate of Posting from your Post Office when sending it off.

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/how-to-fill-in-the-pip-form/