PIP....more waiting....

JoeyC

Hi everyone,
I applied for PIP at the end of Aug 2021. Had a telephone assessment in Nov 2021 and at the end of Dec was told I'd only scored 6 points for daily living and 4 for mobility.
I applies for mandatory reconsideration and was awarded 1 more point for daily living, taking me to 7. 1 below the 8 points you need to qualify for the basic rate.
I have now appealed and am waiting to hear what happens next. I managed to get my very kind GP to write me a letter which I submitted as additional information because my MS nurses don't get involved with PIP claims.
I cannot believe that so far this process has taken 7 months and an appeal could take another year according to the MS Society helpline.
Someone warned me before I applied that I'd need nerves of steel and they weren't wrong! It's really stressful. Has anyone else had as long a wait? 

poppy123456

I must admit your timescale up to now have been extremely quick compared to some members here. Some people are still waiting for their assessment several months after applying. The average timescale from applying to having a decision is about 10 months.

The timescale you seen for Tribunal hearings is not any where near the recent timescales. That's more what it was like before the pendemic. Timescales are now between 11-16 weeks.

The letter from your GP isn't the best evidence to send because a GP doesn't spend any time with you to know how you complete any of the 12 activities for PIP. They will only know the basics, like diagnosis, medication etc ect. All of which isn't needed for a PIP award.

What you should do is give a couple of real world incidents of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the conseqeunces were.

There's a very good thread here with some really good advice from a member. Take note of the advice given by Mike. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/87932/pip-tribunal-representation/p1

I'm assuming you're planning on appearing in person for your hearing? Paper based decisions for Tribunal have an extremely low success rate with only between 5-8% being successful.

JoeyC

Yes, I have said I will attend in person. 
I have given specific examples about the cause and affects of things. My GP letter was just something extra. 
I did feel like giving up but feel determined now. They ask how your disability affects then ignore what you tell them.

Tori_Scope

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling determined @JoeyC It can certainly be a real challenge to fight for the award you feel you're entitled to! Please do keep us updated. 

Waiting times can unfortunately be really long, but fingers crossed the process won't be too bad for you.

JoeyC

I heard yesterday that the DWP haven't changed their mind but they also hadn't received my extra evidence because the courts forgot to action it, even though they wrote to me in March to tell me they had. Not sure how everyone can be so inefficient.
The DWP basically keep saying that because I work full time and only fall asleep once during the day that I don't really have fatigue and my condition doesn't really affect me. Funny really. I don't suppose they've every experienced neurological fatigue. It's very frustrating. They also asked the court to dismiss my case. I don't think so. This is MY appeal not theirs and I deserve my day in court. Fighting talk but I don't actually feel like fighting on but I will because I have come this far.

poppy123456

It's perfectly normal for DWP to oppose the appeal and ask HMCTS to dismiss it. This isn't going to happen. It's well worth remembering that a Tribunal isn't a court and you're not on trial. Some hearings maybe in a court building but it's nothing like a court.

JoeyC

OK, thank you! The thought of a tribunal terrifies me if I'm honest but I'm trying to be brave and just get it done once I get a date.