Should I appeal this decision?

Aella
Aella Online Community Member Posts: 61 Contributor
edited March 13 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA

I'm a partially sighted stroke and cancer patient. In 2021, after and MR and intervention from my local MP, I was awarded 4 years of PIP at the highest rate. After this time I went through another assessment and I provided mountains of evidence, hoping for a longer award. Alongside other evidence, my GP, mental health therapist, social worker and carer all wrote in their letters of support that I should get the highest rate for 10 years as I'm unlikely to make a significant recovery.

I just got the award letter, again I have been awarded the highest rate for 4 years. This is stressing me out for several reasons, of course because I'll have to go through another stressful assessment which could start in just 3 years. I could then lose the benefit or get a reduced rate. Also the assessment will be another full one, whereas if I got a ten year award, I'd get a light touch review. Also I want to quit most of my medical treatment as it's not helping and is just adding an extra burden to my life. But now I'll have to continue with all of it or I won't get awarded next time. And my good GP has just left, none of the other ones will write such a helpful letter.

Is it worth me appealing this decision? given the fact that 4 people wrote in their letters that they thought I should get 10 years. What are the chances it gets lowered/increased?

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Comments

  • mix_dage
    mix_dage Online Community Member Posts: 60 Contributor

    Hi @Aella

    you could consider mandatory reconsideration on the award length, however they may look at the whole award.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration-pip/

    I would seek advice from CAB on this matter.
    Best wishes

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,524 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    edited March 13

    Hi @Aella, that's a really tough one. I can see how that would be stressing you out. A four year award is good but still a lot to go through when you're already dealing with so much. Unfortunately, it's really difficult to say what the changes are for your award being reduced or increased as it's all down to the people overseeing your case. Tribunals are often a bit more successful than MRs if that's the stage you'd be appealing at.

    Was there any explanation given as to why they only gave you the four years in the end?

    It sounds like you've got lots of people on your side, but I'm sorry you're having to fight so much to get what you need.

  • Aella
    Aella Online Community Member Posts: 61 Contributor

    No, I don't see any explanation about why it's only 4 years.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 743 Empowering

    I am currently waiting for an answer regarding my MR protesting the length of award (I was awarded enhanced/enhanced for 4 years). I’ve just got to the point where I’m so sick of the constant reviews that I decided to risk asking

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 743 Empowering

    I’ve heard today my MR was successful and have been awarded 10 years. They did look at the whole award again but fortunately agreed with the points already awarded

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 1,990 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/996514#Comment_996514

    Congratulations on your success.

    I asked for a longer award after my last assessment and they increased it from 3 years to 4.

    I don't know what we have to do to prove to them that our conditions are chronic lifelong and never going to improve our level of functioning.

    I will be reassessed again next year and already dreading it.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 743 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/996521#Comment_996521

    Thank you.

    It really is time they accepted lifelong means lifelong.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 1,990 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/996522#Comment_996522

    Yes and they would save money by not constantly reassessing us but they just don't get that.

    The money spent on that and tribunals is ludicrous.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,610 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Oh @Hopeless that is amazing news, I'm stoked for you!

    I agree the limited award lengths are silly. I've been given the maximum award for my disabilities which is 5 years (previously given 3 before the MR), because apparently I may not be autistic in 5 years. 🤷‍♀️ 😆

  • worried33
    worried33 Online Community Member Posts: 914 Championing
    edited March 14

    My first award was 5 year not including the back dated period, my review was almost 5 years including the backdated period. So was shortened, I didnt appeal in the end as I dont like having uncertainties.

    I am not sure what I would do in your position, potentially they could downgrade the award if they look at the whole thing instead of just the length, but if you have 3 professionals recommending 10 years, that is good evidence.

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