How long does reconsideration for PIP take?

don4u2001

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Hi my mother suffers from epilepsy fibromyalgia fits siezers and arthritis and she has two cares in place my mum can't do anything she was  on a waiting list for a wheel chair which has now arrived and she had her benefit changed from dla to pip and the assessor who came out to visit my mother gave her so less points and we believe this is unfair due to her illness I have asked for a reconsideration I want to know how long it takes 

BenefitsTrainingCo

Hi don4u2001,
Unfortunately there is no strict timescales for the DWP to conduct mandatory reconsiderations, and the decision cannot be appealed until this stage has been completed.
In practice it normally takes between 2-8 weeks provided it is logged on their system as being a reconsideration request -in this regard I recommend calling them after around 10 days to make sure the request has been logged appropriately. The number is 0345 8503322. 
On a related note, if your mother has been awarded some PIP, then you need to bear in mind that the award can be reduced as well as increased on reconsideration or appeal, and it may therefore be worthwhile seeking specialist advice on merits before proceeding. I would recommend you contact your local advice agency for this.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Mary

don4u2001

Hi Mary thank you for getting back to us can you help me with the numbers to whom I need to contact as my mum has her wheel chair as well and she has 2 careers and she is stressed so much I and my dad cares for her also we do everything from bathing to changing to cooking taking her out as well 

shelliemarie

don4u2001 said:

Hi my mother suffers from epilepsy fibromyalgia fits siezers and arthritis and she has two cares in place my mum can't do anything she was  on a waiting list for a wheel chair which has now arrived and she had her benefit changed from dla to pip and the assessor who came out to visit my mother gave her so less points and we believe this is unfair due to her illness I have asked for a reconsideration I want to know how long it takes 

don 4u im in the same postion im waiting for a manatory reconsideration is that what your waiting for plz reply

don4u2001

Yes that is what I am waiting for

shelliemarie

have you read the initial assessment that i put on there how long ago did you send a letter to them and did you get turned down don4u2001

don4u2001

Hi Shellie my mother has been awarded the standard rate and reconsideration has been logged on 20 September 16. And still waiting 

shelliemarie

i sent mine last week and just waiting are you appealing

don4u2001

I am waiting for the decision and then I will decide

shelliemarie

so you sent your manatory reconsideration in and waiting

don4u2001

Yes my mum is asked for a mandatory reconsideration  

shelliemarie

im still waiting and ive also wrote to my local mp and getting replies from the house of commons

don4u2001

Hi I have received a letter of the reconsideration and they have given my mum the enhance rate for care but the mobility stays same she has a wheel chair and so many medication how is that possible I want to know how long does appeal take 

shelliemarie

well done im still waiting how long did it take

don4u2001

2 weeks but it's a shame how they kept the mobility on standard rate despite her using a wheel chair

shelliemarie

too true still waiting for a decision on my MR

Debbie_Alumni

Hi @don4u2001,

Thanks for keeping in touch and letting us know how the mandatory reconsideration went. If you want to go ahead and appeal it would be a good idea to talk to a specialist first who can help you weigh up your chances of success. 

How many points was your mother awarded in the mobility activities and which descriptor/s did she score the points on?

We link to resources to help you with your appeal including the SSCS1 form which you'll need to lodge your appeal. 

If you want to talk to me or my colleague Gill at the helpline we'd be happy to talk things through with you and give you some information to help you decide whether to go to tribunal. You can reach us on 0808 800 3333 or email [email protected] and we can arrange to call you. Please let us know your username when you contact us so that we can identify you.

It can be difficult to get through to us by phone at times due to the volume of calls we have coming in but please bear with us or send us an email.

Best wishes
Debbie

shelliemarie

hello debbie im still waiting getting annoyed and very ill

don4u2001

Hi Debbie thank you for the response I was told over the phone as of the result they have posted the letter on the 10 October and I am waiting for it in the post soon as I get it I will keep u updated thanks once again and who can help with the pip appeal and how long will it take 

Debbie_Alumni

Hi @shelliemarie, 

You beat me to it, I was just going to ask how things are going for you. I'm glad to see you contacted your local MP, have they been able to help you in any way?
Sorry to hear you're not well, all of this can't be helping.
Hang on in there, you've done great so far and hopefully you'll find out about the reconsideration soon. It's an anxious wait though isn't it when you've lost so much. I hope you're managing ok and if you need anything let me know.

shelliemarie

well weve just managed to hang on to the car but cant pay our loans and other things much.i will message you again on what the mp said.