Got my Mandatory reconsideration notice letter

GamerGirl37

They have used the fact of my diagnosis being an Adult recent one against me ....so not happy! 😡😡😡😡😡😭

pollyanna1052

This is the first time I have actually seen a response. Blimey, the go through all sorts of things and give reasons why they wont award you any points.
Are you taking this to tribunal?

66Mustang

Really sorry to read that. It sounds like it is appeal/tribunal time.

GamerGirl37

I’m still thinking about it so annoyed they have done this 

pollyanna1052

GamerGirl37 said:

I’m still thinking about it so annoyed they have done this 

If you feel they are wrong then you have to

GamerGirl37

Yeah I think I’m going to , because they are using my recent diagnosis as I lie because it’s only just happened 

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

GamerGirl37

I don’t know about that yet I’m still in shock 

Chloe_Scope

Really sorry to hear this @GamerGirl37, if there is anything we can do to help or support you during a tribunal then please do let us know!

zakblood

good luck on whatever you decide to do, and remember you're not alone, there's plenty going through the same thing and coming out smiling, keep your chin up and hope it's not to long for you and you get whatever you wish for in the outcome etc

DuffersMum

Can I ask how long it took you from submitting your MR to getting their response?

GamerGirl37

It wasn’t long really 

DuffersMum

Thanks, I’m awaiting the outcome of mine, but don’t expect it to change

poppy123456

Yes, it's backdated to the date the original decision was made.

paffuto10

@GamerGirl37

Thanks for sharing that letter with us. 

Similar to the one my adult son received. They said although he lives in supported living, he doesn't actually need support!! 
Go figure?! 

So in yours they are basically saying that the asd diagnosis is only recent so doesn't count? 
Your anxiety meds aren't strong ones, so don't count. 
You are penalised for managing to work and achieving NVQ. 
You are penalised for gaming and using Internet. 

My son was penalised for learning to manage his own money at the age of 24 (with the help of staff) 
Penalised for not taking anxiety meds (even though they knew the meds made him ill) 
Penalised for gaming and using Internet. 

Social worker wrote he was unable to plan and follow route or journey unaided.
PIP Decision: I think you can plan and follow route or journey unaided!! 

I hope you can manage to go to appeal because I am sure you would win. We won at MR with the help of MP. 

Here's a good one from years ago. A children's social worker said that the autism diagnosis didn't count because it was an old one!!! 
Mind Boggling!! 

Sincerely hope you can get over this shock and appeal. x

GamerGirl37

yea yeah I hated reading that only an adult diagnosis **** , I’m going to chat wi tV my mum at the weekend and see what she would like to do I am appealing but dunno if Il go or not 

poppy123456

GamerGirl37 said:

yea yeah I hated reading that only an adult diagnosis **** , I’m going to chat wi tV my mum at the weekend and see what she would like to do I am appealing but dunno if Il go or not 

I would urge you to attend the hearing in person and take someone with you. Paper based decisions for Tribunals only have a 5-8% chance of success. Those that appear in person have over a 70% chance of success so the difference is huge in comparison.

poppy123456

paffuto10 said:

@GamerGirl37

Thanks for sharing that letter with us. 

Similar to the one my adult son received. They said although he lives in supported living, he doesn't actually need support!! 
Go figure?! 

That's the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard.... If he didn't need support then he certainly wouldn't be living in supported living.

paffuto10

@poppy123456

What if Gamergirl is genuinely too anxious to attend? My son would be. 
Would a GP letter help, do you think? 

poppy123456

paffuto10 said:

@poppy123456

What if Gamergirl is genuinely too anxious to attend? My son would be. 
Would a GP letter help, do you think? 

No, a letter from a GP isn't the best evidence. Lots of people are very anxious when attending a hearing. The panel will always prefer you to attend in person, rather than a paper based decision. You would need a very strong case to win a paper based hearing because the chances of success are very slim.

GamerGirl37

My mums said that too about being stressed and anxious but then again it shows evidence 

paffuto10

@GamerGirl37

I know it might be extremely difficult to attend but is there any possibility at all that you could manage? 
Maybe with your mum or boyfriend? 

paffuto10

Understand what you're saying @poppy123456 but it does seem cruel? 

paffuto10

What about if gamergirl's mum spoke for her? Would that be allowed? 

poppy123456

They will want to see how you are for theirself, which is why it's always better to attend in person. They are so much more understanding than DWP and the health assessment providers and will listen to what you have to say.

If you can get representation from welfare rights or a law centre then your chances of wining are increased.

GamerGirl37

How would I need to go to obtaining that from the welfare rights or a law centre?? 

poppy123456

Check this link first to see if you have either of those local to you. https://advicelocal.uk/

If you do then ring them and ask if they can represent you for a PIP Tribunal. (if you're at Tribunal stage)  You will still need to answer all the questions yourself so bare that in mind please. Representation means they will present your case to HMCTS in preparation for the hearing and accompany you on the day.

MobileGames

Sorry to hear you got turned down. I strongly urge you to appeal. I had my mum help me with the appeal form. We went through the descriptors and what we disagreed with and why. A person who helps vulnerable people got in touch with a larger CAB and they sent me a consent form for me to sign and post so that they had my accent to a copy of  the appeal bundle from the Tribunal scanned and sent over to them. That was in April. In July they assigned a benefits case worker. They won't be able to put together a written representation until you get a Tribunal date. They'll be able to put together a letter of which descriptors should be raised and why. I tried the welfare rights but they can't deal with the appeal stage due to lack of funding. It may be worth sending off your medical records. My mum wrote to the surgery manager to request them. I got them and sent them off,recorded delivery. My mum got them photocopied. A recent diagnosis is still a diagnosis. Send as much evidence as you can. Perhaps from the person who diagnosed you with autism? They should've considered all of your evidence. When being assessed we all try to stay calm,but inside we are quivering wrecks. People just see the outside. What about what's going on in the inside? The tribunal panel are better qualified and will ask more in depth questions to build up a better idea of how you struggle in everyday life. I'm appealing. Been waiting nearly 8 months,but I am going to have my say. It's important that the tribunal know just how your conditions affect you and that how up and down you are and just how anxious you get and that you don't know what you are going to be like from one day to the next and what's going to trigger you and distress you. People,crowds,noise,change to routine,being away from home,smells,sounds,shouting. Any sensory overload. I don't know much about Autism,but from what I've heard and seen,it can be very dibilitating. Good luck. 

paffuto10

@MobileGames

Brilliant post! 

Much more helpful than my first post yesterday which was more like a rant!! 

MobileGames

@paffuto10. That's okay. I know how distressing the wait for an appeal can be. Hang in there. We are all here to come together and try to offer words of comfort. 

OverlyAnxious

I'm interested in the part about 'no diagnosis of eating disorder or dietician input'...

What was that in response to?  I have a dieticians letter stating that I'm severely underweight and recommending a prescription of a milk based high calorie shake (which I can't have anyway due to lactose intolerance :facepalm: ) so wondering if that could be used as evidence of food prep issues for my own tribunal?  Clutching at straws maybe as I have almost no evidence to send either!  But this is why we'll both have to attend our tribunals despite it being extremely difficult and causing huge amounts of anxiety, and the other symptoms further caused by that!  I really do think you should at least attempt it considering you have nothing to lose financially. 

GamerGirl37

Yeah I am thinking of attending , but I will need someone to help support my case and I don’t know what’s the best way to go about it 

jayne50

Did you go to assessment alone always take representation with you ,also make sure you get representation to help you with your appeal.as they will penalise you for anything ,good luck 

GamerGirl37

Nope I had my mum with my for the assessment - how do I go about getting representation????? 

paffuto10

@GamerGirl37

poppy123456 said:

Check this link first to see if you have either of those local to you. https://advicelocal.uk/

If you do then ring them and ask if they can represent you for a PIP Tribunal. (if you're at Tribunal stage)  You will still need to answer all the questions yourself so bare that in mind please. Representation means they will present your case to HMCTS in preparation for the hearing and accompany you on the day.

Poppy put this link on for you 

poppy123456

jayne50 said:

Did you go to assessment alone always take representation with you ,

Representation for an assessment is very rarely available or needed because advice agencies just don't have the funding for appointments. A family member or friend is always helpful though.

poppy123456

GamerGirl37 said:

Nope I had my mum with my for the assessment - how do I go about getting representation????? 

Are you at Tribunal stage or MR stage? If it's MR stage then concentrate on this first because without the MR you can't take it to Tribunal. Put your postcode into the link i gave above.

jayne50

Were I live we have voluntary agency called F.A.C.E who keeps going by donations we are very lucky they are truly amazing . I hope you get the right support I'm sure scope help with PIP .

GamerGirl37

I know I’ve had the MR already I put the picture on here the day I got it 

poppy123456

Sorry about that but i advise so many people here, it's impossible to remember each individual person. Have you put your post code into the link above to see what advice agency is available near you.

GamerGirl37

Yes there is some in town I believe and will be their on Monday 

GamerGirl37

GamerGirl37

Please don’t take notice of any numbers on the second letter page 

poppy123456

It's not unusual for the MR to be a copy and paste of the original decision. Next stage is to request the Tribunal. Advice in this link but you'll need to scroll down to see the appeal process as you've already done the MR.

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

Chloe_Scope

Hi @GamerGirl37, how are you doing?

GamerGirl37

I’m not bad I guess under the weather 

Chloe_Scope

I hope you start to better soon @GamerGirl37!

MobileGames

@GamerGirl37. We're all here if you ever need to vent. Lord knows,I've done it! Stay strong. I've been waiting 8 months and when that date for the appeal comes through,I'm going to try my best to put across which discriptors that I don't agree with and that I'm disputing against,and I'm going to try my best to put across just how my conditions affect my life. I have to do this. I'm not giving up. 

GamerGirl37

Thank you mobile games that really means a lot and don’t worry I ain’t going to give up I’m ringing the well fair rights people tomorrow if I can