Pip text

JJ58

Hi I hope someone can help me, I was refused pip, went on to MR refused again, I have logged my appeal and included extra evidence but today I received a text from DWP saying You have asked us to look at our decision again this may take up to 15 weeks. I don’t understand as they only have 3 weeks left to respond to the tribunal and the text I received was worded the same as the one I received at the beginning of my MR. Surely they can’t put me through another MR when I have already logged my appeal ?

poppy123456

It looks like the text was sent in error. You can only request one MR per claim. I'd advise you to ring them in the morning when they open at 9am.

JJ58

Thanks Poppy, I will do

Jimm_Scope

Hi @JJ58, welcome to the community 😊 That does look like it was made in error, as Poppy says you can only have one MR per claim.

Do let us know how your tribunal goes. I know it can be quite a wait for one. If there is anything you're not sure of please do ask away. We have a lot of members who have gone through the appeals process for PIP including the tribunal stage.

Citizen's Advice also have a rather good section about preparing for the tribunal if you have not read it already: Challenging a PIP decision - the tribunal hearing - Citizens Advice

JJ58

Thanks Jimm. I did ring them as Poppy advised, they put me through to the appeals department, I was told that the text msg was an error and she would cancel it, then she swiftly moved on to my appeal, she said that the gps letter of support which I sent in wasn’t really what they were looking for and I need to get an OT referral from my local council to show to the tribunal to get extra points (I scored 6 points on DL) as they are insisting that my conditions are “aids appropriate” and I could buy some Kitchen aids whereby it doesn’t matter if I have weak hands and virtually no grip as you only need to “press a button” to enable you to peel and chop vegetables. OT referrals are taking a minimum of 13 weeks just to get an appointment. To date they haven’t responded to HMCTS re my appeal I wonder if they will tell them that they have advised me to get an OT report and to buy expensive kitchen aids which wouldn’t help me. Is this just a delaying tactic…

Jimm_Scope

I'm not sure why they're advising you on that. Now that it's going to a tribunal you don't have to provide anything to the DWP, you send the evidence to the tribunal. If you do have new evidence try to send it to the tribunal and not just turn up with it on the day. You can turn up with it on the day, but the tribunal panel will need time to assess it properly which can delay things.

You can still submit the GP letter to the tribunal if it details how your conditions affect your day to day life. An OT report is not needed. Even if these aids did help you with the chopping and the peeling, when you use something to cook you also must clean it afterwards too. If you have dexterity issues this takes much longer, possibly longer than would be reasonably expected for someone not affected by their conditions to do.

JJ58

Thank you Jimm. I was feeling very despondent until I read your reply. I will definitely keep on fighting.

Jimm_Scope

Since you aren't too sure of the date yet you could spend some time looking for an advocate who will help you put forward the best case for yourself at the tribunal. Many are also able to attend the tribunal with you to help you with the entire process.

Turn2Us - AdviceFinder has a locator/finder for such advocates. Select "Benefits" as a topic and then search your area, generally it's good to put the radius higher than the default 5 miles unless you live in a city. It should help you find places that either have, or can put you in contact, with such advocates.