0 points after change of circumstance

panasonic61

Hi all I am asking for help, I was in receipt of pip getting 8 points on both scores I went for a change of circumstance meaning I have got worse now they have given me 0 points

steve51

Hi @panasonic61

A very very big welcome to you this evening.

I'm very sorry to hear about your current probs with pip.

Please please let me know if there is any help ????

Thanks.

panasonic61

Will do

Alex

Hi @Panasonic61,

Welcome to the community. Sorry to hear that. Are you asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration?

mikehughescq

Did you seek advice before challenging the existing award? Did you ask them to look at both components or just the one?

It would also be helpful to understand something of what the change was although I appreciate you may not want to post that on here.

panasonic61

Hi mike I had 8 points for both components, I put in a change of circumstance for both mobility and disability, I have to use crutches now which as impacted more on the mobility and caring, it took them 9weeks to reply and I got 0 points even though I had my award until 2020

mikehughescq

Okay, well as has already been said you need to start the MR process. It crossed my mind that the sudden use of an aid may have naturally dropped the points but looking at the descriptors I can't see how that would have worked in your case so it really comes down to how much detail you wrote. They may have assumed that the use of an aid increases the distance you can walk and, following on from that, have deduced that you must therefore be able to do more on daily living. None of that necessarily adds up if the evidence is addressed properly so all you can do is address any assumptions on their part head on in the MR.

It is worth reviewing what you wrote when you asked for the change of circs. A lack of detail is often what messes it up.

panasonic61

I have a rib broken in 4 places went through and broke a nerve I am in constant pain and the skin around the area is painfull to touch I have free ergs disease which means when I put my foot down I walk on my skeleton very painfull as I am walking I had a double ligament reconstruction when walking my ankle and half way up my leg swells causing pain this is why I needed the crutches. The rib mended disfigured, and is resting on my lung I was the only person in my doctors surgery to have an exemption certificate for a seat belt due to this injury because any stress on the injury make my breathing worse, these are the main injuries I also have many musculoskeletal problems and other problems I hope this explains it and yes I am not good at explaining things face to face 

Matilda

@panasonic61

Have you asked DWP for a copy of the assessor's report which, given their reputation, might be very inaccurate?  Disputing inaccuracies will help with your mandatory reconsideration (MR), and appeal if necessary.

Disability Rights site has a good guide to MRs and appeals.  65% of appeals succeed.  Many people who have had their points taken away after a new assessment have these points restored after a tribunal hearing.  So appallingly incompetent is the standard of most assessors (who also follow the DWP's agenda of refusing PIP to as many people as they can).

If possible, get face to face advice.  Scope Helpline might be able to tell you about advice organisations in your area.

You can also put specific questions to benefits experts in Ask a benefits advisor category on this site.

panasonic61

Thanks for the help Matilda I will ask DWP and benefits advisors