Good evening everyone
I was previously awarded PIP for 4 years. Reassessed in December 2023 awarded Enhanced Daily for several years again, however had exploratory surgery in January & February 2024 that showed up new conditions that were affecting my health further so I put in a “change of circumstances” review and lost my claim entirely - I was in total shock! Should have done a MR and a tribunal but wasn’t aware of these at the time and probably couldn’t have coped health wise anyway.
so I put a claim in a new PIP claim over the summer, had my telephone assessment in September and a decision came through on 22 October via letter saying that again they were not going to award me anything. However during the time from my assessment to my letter I’ve continued to supply evidence (consultant reports, additional medication, witness statements from carer and people who support me, various medical appointments, UC Health Assessment report (undertaking in September 2024) and a journal of how my condition affects me as I knew I would still have time to do a Mandatory Reconsider and if necessary go to tribunal.
Today I received a telephone call from DWP which I missed as I didn’t hear the call, however I check my UC journey and there was no information about a call, so I called PIP. I explained the above and the gentleman said that although he couldn’t find a record of a call, someone had be assigned to relook at my claim (this was without me yet asking for a Mandatory Review). The gentleman said that he would now request the MR for me and to keep addition any additional evidence to my claim as it became available (my condition is under constant review atm).
My actual question is “is it normal for the DWP to relook at a claim without a MR request?” And what are people’s thoughts about why they would do this. As said, the gentleman has now said his submitted the MR request for me now regardless so I will have more information in time, but I found this situation quite confusing and wondered if it was unique?
Sorry for such a long post but I look forward to any comments x