Contesting the Assessors Report (pip review) prior to a decision being made

mm3g

Hi all, new to the forum and in a complete state, could use some advice / reassurance / previous experience stories please…..

I have Parkinson's Disease, Cervical Dystonia and Gastroparesis. I was on enhanced for both and had to send my forms for review last September. Since I sent in my original review form I have sent in subsequent medical evidence from consultations as my condition has progressed further in the 14 months wait! Finally had my assessment a few weeks ago - I was heavily medicated to be able to function, had my husband (registered carer) and assistance dog with me and I functioned fairly well (though quite tearful) through the phone assessment.

Requested a copy of the Assessment Report a few days later which arrived this week and recommended only standard rate for both.

Here's the thing…… the evidence they stated they used was all the evidence submitted with the initial review form and dated 2021 / 2022. They did not review anything sent since September 2023 (even though I confirmed it was on the system after it was sent signed for delivery) and have not even acknowledged that my condition progressed further. All points for anxiety were removed in this assessment (since last time) as I apparently coped very well during the phone assessment, no mention that I kept crying and I had my husband and assistance dog with me for support. And I was assessed as 'no problems engaging with others as can answer the door to a delivery person', even though I would even have my assistance dog with me for that.

My husband and I were very upset with this assessment as it is completely inaccurate and, in our opinion, not an accurate representation of my daily struggles. I phoned DWP that evening, very upset to ask if I should send even more medical evidence (from a neurology consultation the week before the assessment) and they replied that the case was not yet with a Decision Maker and send anything in asap.

My husband then wrote a 10 page letter outlining inaccuracies and cross referencing medical / supporting evidence that contradicted the Assessors recommendations. He then sent all of this and all up to date medical evidence to the DWP that should have arrived yesterday. I phoned yesterday (incredibly tearful and distressed) to explain that this report was being sent and a few reasons why we believed the report to be inaccurate.

The person receiving this call was incredibly supportive, confirmed that my case was not yet with a Decision Maker and reassured me that they would take all evidence, including our letter of concern, into account when making a decision.

In the meantime, I was called today by another benefits advisor, whom i'd contacted after receiving the Assessors report for information but had to leave my details with instead, and i just explained the situation. They informed me that the Decision Maker wouldn't even look at any information sent after my initial review application was sent in September 2023, including our letter and medical evidence sent this week - they said that Decision makers only look at information sent initially and not updated information. But this is completely contradictory to what i've read and been told by the DWP. Also - I've been waiting 14 months already and have a progressively degenerative condition - of course things have progressed in that timeframe?

I'm completely confused. I know all I can do now is wait, but have we done the wrong thing by flagging inaccuracies in the assessors report before a decision is even made? Will all new and updated information be taken into account?

I am so stressed by this whole process I think it's making me more unwell.

I would rather never have to apply for PIP and not have this disability than have it and apply for the financial support. Its such a difficult mess.

Thank you so much for your patience and reading if you've managed to get this far x

Rosie_Scope

Hi @mm3g, welcome to the community. I'm afraid I don't know the answers to all your questions but I hope some community members will be able to share their thoughts too and I just wanted to reach out to say hello and welcome.

The PIP process can be really tough and I can totally understand why you're feeling so stressed out about it after what you've been through. I'm so sorry to hear what's happened and how stressful it's all been.

I hope you get your decision through soon so you can make a plan about what to do next. Scope have a page about appealing benefits decisions so if it does come to it, you won't be alone. Many of our members have been through appeals and will be able to offer some advice if you need it.

Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK

It sounds like your husband is totally fighting your corner too. If your case does go to appeal, I'm sure that his 10-page letter will be a great addition to your case.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful with some of your questions but I hope some of our members will be along to share their stories soon. Fingers crossed your decision comes through quickly and you can get started on the next steps if necessary.

mm3g

thank you for your reply Rosie x