Fibromyalgia PIP refused

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AFrankcom

Hello everyone, 

After many sleepless nights I received the brown envelope today saying that I have been refused PIP for both care and mobility. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Anxiety and Depression since 2017 but only this year when the pain had got so bad i had to give up work, I could no longer look after myself and relied on family to help my basic day to day needs as well as looking after my little girl because I physically can’t anymore. (Which is the worse feeling in the world!) 

I attended my face to face appointment, with the help of my mum (holding my arm supporting me, she then had to look after my daughter while I had my appointment but waited outside to help me back into the car) getting me to the reception and then a lovely lady on reception helping me into the lift and to the consultation room. Throughout my appointment, I had clearly explained my day to day challenges, going into every detail of how my condition seriously affects my life and how I am completely reliant on my family for even me basic needs of getting dressed and washing. Due to my severe widespread pain and chronic fatigue I also struggle greatly with cooking as standing for any period of time and the pain in my hands and arms makes it hard to completely control what they do as they can go into a spasm which can make it very dangerous for me to attempting cooking or preparing food unaided. Previously I had a spasm in my hand when cutting vegetable and ended up cutting my finger and needing five stitches. 

There are two main reasons I have been refused for PIP, the first one is that I apparently walked into the room a normal pace in no pain at all, this isn’t true at all as I had the arm of the lady of reception and she guided me all the way to the room, I was completely exhausted after a very short walk and in a lot of pain which would of been evident on my face. 

The second main reason is that I burst into tears half way through when explaining how I now rely on my family to look after my little girl but I am physically unable to, and because I took a tissue off of the assessor that apparently demonstrated enough grip in my hands that I would be able to grip anything! And also therefore be able to cook, get myself dressed and generally look after myself, all because of a tissue!  

I am asking for a MD but any advice would be greatly appreciated, 

thank you 

Amy 

chiarieds

Hi @AFrankcom & welcome to the community. I'm sorry to read about the struggles you're facing & that the assessment didn't go well. Try your very best to put that behind you & concentrate on your Mandatory Reconsideration if you can.

As you've probably read on your decision letter, you have one month from the date of your letter to ask for a MR. I wonder if you have seen a list of the 'descriptors', & the points awarded for them? Here's a link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria You will need to scroll down quite a way to section 2.3 to see where points may be awarded for daily living; the mobility component starting at 2.4.

You need to describe for each of the descriptors that apply to you exactly what problems you have with that activity & why.

You also need to mention if you can't do anything 'reliably,' i.e. if it's not safe to do so; causes you pain during/after an activity; exhausts you afterwards, or you're very slow at achieving an activity (such that it takes you more than twice as long as someone without your problems).

It's unhelpful to say where your assessor reported incorrectly, just explain your problems as clearly as you can. If you have any other evidence (not already sent) from specialists/therapists that indicate the problems you are likely to have with daily living, or your mobility, you could send them in with your MR.

Remember to put your National Insurance number on each page you send.

I'm sure you'll receive more advice & if you have any questions, please say.