Lost my lower rate of Pip after an assessment

Alan1957

I resently had a DWP PIP assessment, were I’m told I didn’t now qualify for the lower rate of motobility. Even though I now have a new condition of gout. I originally qualify because I also have arthritis and spondylitis. It stated in the report that I declined to undertake the musculoskeletal assessment however I managed to rise from sitting without difficulty, which demonstrated adequate hip movement & walking to the assessment room using 1 stick. That didn’t take any significant amount of pain relief. It states that I managed these activities unaided & I can stand & then move more than 200 metres. How can that be determined from my slower than normal walk from the sitting area in a building to an assessment room on the same level in the same building not even 50 metres away. All the time I was then in the assessment room. I was in pain in my feet for one,I even apologise for having to take my shoes off because of this. Yet that wasn’t mentioned. I have morphine patches which release hourly. I take amitryptoline pain relief,co-codamol & also use capcacium pain relief cream. How much more do they assesses as being a significant amount of pain relief. O yes & I use ice packs as well to help with pain & swelling. The whole report is either a lie or at the very least not explained fully about my conditions & how they affect my ability to do things. Sorry for the lengthy message. 

Matilda

@Alan1957

You need to ask DWP for a mandatory reconsideration (MR).  Disability Rights (DR) site has a guide to MRs and Tribunal appeals.

mikehughescq

The fact that gout is a new condition is not relevant unless you have new symptoms which would impact positively on the points you score for either component. 

Do an MR but also consider a complaint to the assessment provider. You can find the guidance DWP give them online and it’s fascinating to see how often they breach it. If your complaint is very focused they may recommend different points to a decision maker or a reassessment. 

Alan1957

Thank you everyone for your comments & help. Yes I’ve asked for a MR. At the moment I have no new evidence. I’m awaiting on the results of a resent MRI scan on my knee.( suspected maniscus tear ). This happened after the assessment & been referred to physiotherapists. Was also receiving physiotheripy on my ankles but can’t do the excercises with my knee injury.