Pip awarded but not correctly. What can I do?

MumblingPenguin

Today I received my award letter from PIP and they awarded me only the basic daily living part and it said I scored just 4 in mobility. I can barely walk and I am unable to go out and about on my own. I have several chronic conditions which impact my mobility. I applied in July 2021 and had the assessment over the phone just over 2 weeks ago. Earlier I rang scope help line for information, but I got disconnected a few times. I also just spent 35 minutes on hold to PIP to ask for my assessment report and that I would need a MR and extra time ( the letter was dated 19th January, but I only just got it) and while I got through to an representative on the PIP number they disconnect. I tried to call CAB, but I got told there is not telephone service in my area. I am completely lost for what to do now. The decision letter states things that are incorrect, like I can walk unaided, which is not true and more things like that. I feel very upset at this. Has anyone have any advice for me what else I could do? Thank you.

calcotti

General advice on how to proceed is here
Challenging a DWP decision | Disability charity Scope UK

You need to set out to explain why you have difficulty doing the activities and therefore qualify. Try and expand on what you have already told them. Give examples of what happens when you try and do things.

MumblingPenguin

Hi thank you for your reply, I was finally able to get through PIP and they are going to send me the assessment report. They also told me they registered that I want to do a MR and said that when I get the report, then write them a letter stating why I think their decision was incorrect and give examples etc. But it sure is difficult to get through to them on the phone. 

ClaireCatMum

Hi MumblingPenguin x just a suggestion but if you have a good MP it can be worth involving them, I have found this helpful in the past when I was a benefits specialist and also currently have good support from my MP over problems with dealing with DWP since partners stroke. He has made them respond to all questions and in one case recently when I challenged an out right lie by DWP he got it sorted. Just a suggestion and good luck 

MumblingPenguin

Hi ClaireCatMum I see, I know who my MP is but don't know how good he is. At what point should I try to involve an MP? I am now being processed for the MR, waiting for my assessment report and write the PIP people a letter. After they received my letter it will take many weeks for any decision after that.

janer1967

Hi and welcome 

Not all mp are as on point I tried to get mine involved and all they did was send standard letter with no substance dwp responded with a standard letter and case was closed 

Depends who mp is and their party views on benefits

I would spend your time concentrating on submitting your MR

ClaireCatMum

I would perhaps wait for MR outcome then contact MP if you don't get the award you feel reflects your claim and conditions. Could be worth googling your MP to see what their areas of interest are and if there's anything online about maybe any particular issues they've publicly shown interest in x

calcotti

Getting MP involved at MR stage is not helpful. The MR is part of the normal processes. Getting an MP involved is more appropriate if DWP are not doing what they are supposed to. Even if MR fails there is an appeal process to follow which it is again not appropriate to involve an MP in.

MumblingPenguin

Thank you all for your replies. I will of course wait for the MR to complete and then I can see what to do next. I just checked out my local MP and I do not think he is the right person to help me as I found some articles about him stating that disabled people should work for less than minimum wage. By the looks of it he is rather anti-disability  

MumblingPenguin

Hi Mike, I asked during the phone call for extra time as they need to send the assessment report, they told me that as I called them I was within the month for the  MR. I have spoken to Scope helpline before I called PIP and they advised me to ask for more time and to get that report sent. I feel now I might have done it wrong, but the lady at the PIP help line said this was best to do. Not sure if I can do anything about it, I need that report from them and then send my MR request letter. They make it so difficult and unfair.

calcotti

You don’t need the report to do the MR. You are challenging the decision and need to explain why you should be entitled. Seeing the report and getting bogged down in arguing about inaccuracies in it doesn’t advance your case. Anything critical will be referenced in the decision letter and you can challenge the content of the letter.

poppy123456

Why do you need the report to request the MR? If you have the report then no doubt you will purely concentrate on that and this won't get you a PIP award.

MumblingPenguin

poppy123456 said:

Why do you need the report to request the MR? If you have the report then no doubt you will purely concentrate on that and this won't get you a PIP award.

I contacted scope before speaking to PIP and they told me I would need the report before the MR. When I contacted PIP they said they will send me the report and then added me to the 'queue' of the MR and to write them a letter with my statements and corrections. They also told me that the report would be needed. 

But I have been advised here to write that MR letter without receiving the report and use the point system and explain why I think it's wrong.

poppy123456

Some people think the report is needed. When you ring DWP you are ringing a call centre and they have very little knowledge. The report is just a distraction. As you've now started the MR process whether they will waiting for you to send everything is another story.

MumblingPenguin

They did say on the phone that they will wait for me send that letter through. I am now working on that letter and evidence.