Disappointed with Welfare Rights

Leigh14

Had a call today from welfare rights, and what she said, to what I read on here are completely opposite. I’m going for MR, and she immediately told me that no one gets MR, so when it gets to tribunal (which is all done over the phone she said) then to give a call again.
I’ve read so many stories on here about people receiving at the MR stage, so was shocked with her response to it.
I was honestly hoping for some help with the MR, to give me a better chance. Oh well (moan over)

woodbine

I had a complicated problem last year re:benefits and a private pension, eventually I turned to welfare rights for advice, as we were in lockdown they discussed it over the phone and I got the advice I was looking for. The person I dealt with knew what he was talking about, he did so in a polite and helpful manner and if i'm honest I would always recommend WR as opposed to CAB.

Leigh14

Thankyou Mike. I understand from what you’ve said, why it makes sense for them not to get involved at this stage.
Hmmm, doing the MR (to me anyway) is much more difficult than writing on a forum haha, but I get what you’re saying.

Leigh14

Just to confirm for MR, do I need to put experiences of how far I can walk, what are consequences etc, or do I just simply need to state why I disagree with the decision?

chiarieds

As Mike intimates, this is just asking the DWP to reconsider, & another decision maker will look at your whole award again; you don't need to say anything further, nor give extra evidence, but if you do explain further, there's no harm, & it 'may' help. It's just like a stage that has to be gone through before you can appeal, but no reason not to give it your best shot.

Leigh14

chiarieds said:

As Mike intimates, this is just asking the DWP to reconsider, & another decision maker will look at your whole award again; you don't need to say anything further, nor give extra evidence, but if you do explain further, there's no harm, & it 'may' help. It's just like a stage that has to be gone through before you can appeal, but no reason not to give it your best shot.

Thankyou. I’ve begun writing it up in rough firstly, hoping to get it posted by Thursday.

saversam

Leigh14 said:

Just to confirm for MR, do I need to put experiences of how far I can walk, what are consequences etc, or do I just simply need to state why I disagree with the decision?

Hi Leigh,  I put a real live experience of walking.I said how far, I  can walk, how long it took ( timed myself). How it affected me, ie breathless. & How I would have to rest & for how long, before I could do it again. I was awarded 10 points for that. If you look back through my posts you,ll see what I said.I think details are best if you get the chance 

Leigh14

Hi @saversam, I had told the assessor my experience of walking, but was only given 4 points. I shall put it all in the MR report too. I didn’t get the assessor’s report, just the decision from DWP.

chiarieds

saversam has reminded me of the concept of reliability, i.e. can you do an activity safely, to an appropriate standard, as often as it would be reasonable to expect you to need to do, & in a reasonable period of time (does it take you more than twice as long compared to someone without your disability?) Certainly no harm in mentioning this either, if these concepts were not mentioned in your initial PIP claim form.

saversam

Leigh14 said:

Hi @saversam, I had told the assessor my experience of walking, but was only given 4 points. I shall put it all in the MR report too. I didn’t get the assessor’s report, just the decision from DWP.

Did you give a resent example?  Or just a rough idea?

Leigh14

I gave a recent example of a hospital visit, as well as walking to corner shop, having to make several stops etc. 

Leigh14

Thanks again Mike.

Harrington

Leigh14 said:

Just to confirm for MR, do I need to put experiences of how far I can walk, what are consequences etc, or do I just simply need to state why I disagree with the decision?

@Leigh14 Write in detail how far you can walk and what happens such as how difficult it is or how much pain you experience and any consequences that can happen if you do not stop to rest during the walk as an example, I started my explanation like this  "I disagree with the decision because" then go onto explain in as much detail as possible, paint a picture of what its like being you and how it affects you on a daily basis don't leave any detail out.

Leigh14

saversam said:

Leigh14 said:

Just to confirm for MR, do I need to put experiences of how far I can walk, what are consequences etc, or do I just simply need to state why I disagree with the decision?

Hi Leigh,  I put a real live experience of walking.I said how far, I  can walk, how long it took ( timed myself). How it affected me, ie breathless. & How I would have to rest & for how long, before I could do it again. I was awarded 10 points for that. If you look back through my posts you,ll see what I said.I think details are best if you get the chance 

I’ve just looked at your live experience, and it isn’t that dissimilar to mine, which I was awarded 4 points. I guess it’s who you get for the assessment, I honestly don’t know anymore. I physically don’t feel as if I get air in my lungs. My condition isn’t going to get better and yet…..
MR business is just another battle I guess.

saversam

Hi Leigh,  yes that's why I thought it would be interesting for you to read it. What I put in my post was exactly what I told the assessor,  as well as needing my husband,s help. They put him down as an aid! But I have got medical evidence from the lung unit in Sheffield saying i,m on the WHO class iii, which I think really helped. Are you under a asthma nurse?

Leigh14

Am under a asthma nurse yes, but haven’t seen her since before covid. I didn’t provide any medical evidence either. I’m not seeing anyone in the lung unit either, which obviously hasn’t helped my case. I also think I flunked with the PIP form, not giving precise details. I did however do some of it with assessor.

Leigh14

From what I’ve read from yours and others posts, I absolutely know I didn’t complete my PIP form correctly at all, but I’ve corrected that in the MR, so hopefully they will definitely reconsider. I have followed all advice, guidance etc from you and others posting on similar issues.
I have a few more things to do with regard to the MR, then once sent, I shall forget all about it, until I hear from them again.