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PIP been reduced

shany

Hi all,
I was on enhanced mobility rate. I contacted DWP to state my health had deteriorated. I have now been sent a letter stating that my PIP has been reduced. I don't understand this and what is my next step?
I would appreciate any advice.

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Comments

jamie1965

I far as I’m aware pip is not a benefit and is based on how your condition affect the way you live not based on the condition it self so unless you have become house bound and there for would not need high rate don’t make sense have they not stated why in the letter

shany

Hi Jamie
I have chronic heart disease and osteoarthritis. I struggle to get around. There is no explanation as to why it's been reduced even though my health is deteriorating.

jamie1965

Call them and speak to your doctor see if they can give you a report to show that they are wrong and that they are stressing you and they are causing further risk to your health cause if they have made mistake they most likely won’t admit it. Keep us up dated on why they have done this to you and what they gonna do about it I did not think that they could reduce your pip without a review it may be worth while looking at the guidelines on pip at the gov website good luck sorry to hear they have done this to you

shany

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it. I've been so worried and the stress has caused my angina to flare up.

Misscleo

Im interested in what happens in your case.
I would have thougjt you would have got more not less.
They seem to make up the rules on the day???
Please keep intouch

shany

I will call DWP and my GP in the morning

jamie1965

Keep record of everyone you speak to and time and date so they can’t say you have not been in touch if you have a smart phone you can download a free app to record calls when you on the phone with them could be a help to you should they try to deny anything they say or there favourite the call has not recorded so cannot check the conversation you will have it recorded

shany

I will definitely do that and keep you posted.

duckett123

they cant reduce you pip unless they give you a medical assessment if they do it must be in writing as to why get a health adviser from your local council to help they can call for you get answers faster than us

shany

I contacted DWP to state my health had deteriorated. They did an assessment but despite my health worsening they reduced the PIP.

Matilda

@shany

This sort of thing often happens - reporting disability getting worse gives assessors an excuse to reduce or remove benefit by lying in their reports. Have you asked DWP for a copy of the assessor's report and asked for a mandatory reconsideration?

shany

Hi Matilda
I will be asking for a copy of the assessors report first thing in the morning along with M.R.

Misscleo

Good idea. Keep everything

Pippa_Alumni

So sorry to hear about your experience @shany, that must have been really difficult for you to hear on top of your deteriorating health. Good to hear you're beginning the appeals process, please do let us know if we can offer any guidance.

shany

Went to citizens advice this morning and they were brilliant.
Helped me with the M.R. letter
I have osteoarthritis, CHD and Angina.
Apparently I can walk 50 metres without stopping! I'm due to go into hospital next wk for an angiogram!

shany

Well, had my PIP appeal today. Dr did most of the questioning. After a lengthy interrogation he told me that because I hadn't had a knee replacement yet, ( I have osteoarthritis in both legs) that my pain can't be that bad so therefore my appeal was refused. I have Scoliosis and Degenerative Disc Disease and angina. Currently recovering from another heart attack. The decision was made without them seeing my orthopaedic records.

Matilda

Sorry to hear your appeal was refused. You could ask judge for a statement of reasons and show it to CAB to see if tribunal made an error of law in which case you could appeal to an upper tier tribunal.

Yadnad

shany said:

Well, had my PIP appeal today. Dr did most of the questioning. After a lengthy interrogation he told me that because I hadn't had a knee replacement yet, ( I have osteoarthritis in both legs) that my pain can't be that bad so therefore my appeal was refused.

And no doubt if you had have had the replacements they would argue that the pain you used to have will no longer be there owing to the operation.

You really cannot win with some people.

They could argue the same in my case in that as I have not had a lung & pancreas transplant the pain and debilitating problems can't be that bad.
Try telling my body that!

Matilda

Or make a new claim. If you have to go to tribunal a second time, insist that you cannot walk farther than 20m before you have to stop and rest if that is the case. Keep a 7 day diary in which you log how far you walk on days you go out and for how long you have to stop before continuing. Make it clear you can only walk until to 20m before you have to stop and rest for a few minutes.

Disabilty Rights UK site has a draft diary you can adapt.

shany

Hi @Matilda
I had a welfare rights officer from c.a.b. accompany me. He's going to ask for a statement of reasons. Just have to wait 6 weeks to get it and go from there.