PIP mandatory reconsideration request time limit and reason

KindaSurviving

I could do with some advice on the acceptable reasons for submitting a mandatory PIP reconsideration well outside of the 1 month period. I had my PIP assessment letter almost a year ago (dated 18th Oct 2023). I was very demoralized by the decision and couldn't face looking at it again at the time as I was already struggling mentally. Since then their has been huge upheaval in my life - I have moved house as I wasn't coping with part of my living arrangements and I am now living alone. One of my biggest support structures collapsed that badly affected work and the few social activities I managed to engage with. Things have just kind of drifted and now I'm panicking a bit about how to reengage with the process as I'm concerned about the state it left me in last time.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @KindaSurviving, welcome to the community 😊

Unfortunately, I don't think there is much official guidance around for what makes an acceptable reason for getting things back late, but hopefully some of our members can share what happened with their claims.

From what I understand, it's all done on a case-by-case basis and if you can explain your situation in detail about why you didn't manage to get it back within the time, that's the best chance you can give yourself. All the things you mentioned about what you've been through lately are worth popping down as it'll all hopefully help towards your case.

Hope you can manage to get it all sorted, it's a tough process to go through sometimes! Lots of our members have managed it though, so I hope you'll get some support here 😊

poppy123456

No guidance is needed here, you simply explain why you didn't request the MR within 1 month of the date of the decision. The maximum time you have is 13 months. If they refuse the late request you proceed to Tribunal.

Please be aware that they will not take into consideration any worsening of condition since your assessment took place. They will only take into consideration what your conditions were like at that time. This also applies to the Tribunal.

KindaSurviving

Just wanted to post an update, after following the kind advice from above (thank you), I put in for a mandatory reconsideration detailing the issues above. I had a couple of texts (Nov/Dec) to say the case would be reviewed.

I got a random call yesterday from the DWP asking if my bank details were up to date and would I be ok to cope with a lump sum payment. No actual confirmation of a decision change as yet but fingers crossed this is good news.

Rosie_Scope

Best of luck @KindaSurviving, that does sound promising! Definitely keep us posted 😊

KindaSurviving

I am so confused, the DWP have paid a back payment for what I think is lower rate mobility (roughly 18 months worth). Called them to ask what’s going on and was initially told no decision has been made, eventually the guy on the phone found a note on the file that some kind of decision has been made and a letter has been sent. It’s now been over two weeks with no letter or contact via text or phone call. Has anyone else ever just been paid a lump sum with no actual confirmation of award? I think I scored 4 points total on my original assessment (none of which were for the mobility part).

Happy that progress has been made but also very stressed about having to call again to try and find out what’s actually going on.

poppy123456

All I can advise is ring PIP again to ask them if they can now see the decision. At the same time ask them to send out a copy of the letter because you didn't receive the first one.

KindaSurviving

Called the PIP line again and after being passed between a number of different people ended up speaking to someone who I think they referred to themselves as a 'case manager' and they seemed to have access to everything and could actually tell me all the details on the file.

They said "you have been awarded lower rate mobility but at this time we are not able to award the daily living component"

So I've gone from having 0 points on mobility to at least 8 but mobility wasn't the focus of my mandatory reconsideration request. Currently waiting on the decision letter to be sent out again - it looks like the first one went to an old address.

If I proceed to tribunal (which i was prepared to do as wasn't expecting any changes from the MR) can they take back the money they are now paying me for mobility or would it just stop once the tribunal decision was made (assuming I lost).