How do I start the PIP appeals process?

Aella

A couple of months ago I wrote about how I'd requested a PIP reassessment on the advice of my MP's office, after my condition had worsened after I had a stroke and went partially blind.  They said I should get more money.  So I had a terrible phone reassessment with a woman who could barely speak English and was clearly ignoring everything I said and writing down things I hadn't said.  For example she insisted on saying that when  I wear glasses, the missing vision reappears even though I clearly told her that glasses don't make any difference to that.
Well I've just had the letter back and they have stopped my PIP entirely.  The letter basically said that they don't believe anything I said.  For example it says things like "You say you cannot do x y and z but I believe you can do those things."  This is even though I sent a lot of medical evidence, including letters of support from my mental health worker, my GP and hospital letters about my medical conditions.  The PIP assessor has just totally lied about everything.  The letter even said, "I don't believe it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress to have your PIP stopped," even though my mental health worker's letter said it's very important for me to have stability around my income and I told the assessor that I'm feeling at the brink mentally and I have a suicide method planned.  I also have a history of having made a suicide attempt that landed me in intensive care for 5 days before, so I don't know how PIP can say this.
How do I start the appeal process?  Also would an MP write a letter of support for me to the DWP over this since it was their advice that led to this in the first place?

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Sorry your PIP has been stopped 

The first stage of appeal is to put in a MR which should be mentioned in your letter 

I strongly suggest you contact welfare rights for some help with this 

There is also lots of advise in our pip section about appealing 

Try and not focus on the assessors report and saying they have lied this won't get you anywhere 

Instead focus on your own case and where and why you should have scored points 

Give real examples of what happens when you try and do the task 

Assessors don't copy what you have said they form an opinion based on the information you give 

You could contact your mp but it would be far better to get supporting evidence from somebody that sees how you function 

Someone who sees you washing , eating,  preparing food and so on 

If you need any further information please just ask 

Aella

Thanks, but I was easily accepted for PIP the first time I claimed, and none of my original issues have cleared up but new ones added on top (the stroke and partial blindness).  Also, the assessor made it clear she wasn't listening to or was dismissing what I was saying.  The only reason I even applied for increased PIP was because my MP's office advised me to do so.  I wish I hadn't now.  And on top of this I've just had a letter from ESA, just a general one about the rates but I'm worried the PIP refusal has triggered ESA and they'll be doing a reassessment now.  I just can't cope with all this.  My mental health has taken a huge nosedive since yesterday and I'm feeling at the brink again.  And it's no good going to the mental health team, the last time I was in crisis the mental health worker who saw me as an emergency gave me only one piece of advice - to buy the New Age book The Secret, about the law of attraction and use it to attract whatever I want into my life!  My life is a mess and it's never going to get better.

Cher_Alumni

Hello @Aella

I'm sorry to hear the PIP review resulted in loss of previous awards, I can imagine how upsetting that news was to receive.  Positively, you've had some brilliant advice about recommended next steps on this thread - particularly around strengthening your evidence to show how you meet the descriptors not satisfied first time round. 

I understand how frustrating it can be to not 'feel heard' by the assessor, but trying to put that to one side now (I know it's not easy) efforts are better spent showing you can't meet PIP activities/descriptors reliably; that being safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in reasonable time.  

Your words about how you're currently feeling caused me some concern and I wondered if you had support from family, friends or any care professionals?  I realise the advice from a previous mental health worker wasn't helpful but please don't let that deter you from contacting someone to talk about how this situation has impacted your mental health. 

Would you feel comfortable speaking to your GP?  I'd recommend doing that asap so you can get the support needed to help you navigate this difficult time.  Also, please bear in mind to call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if ever those troubling thoughts become too much.

In addition to this, you can contact the following services/organisations anytime of the day:

• Call The Samaritans on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
• Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to speak with a trained crisis volunteer from SHOUT
• Find a local urgent NHS mental health helpline

I'm going to email you now to see if we can offer any further support so please keep an eye on your inbox.  And, unfortunately I think with the ESA letter it was a case of bad timing and is a coincidence not to worry about. 

Take care and I'll be in touch soon.