Pip rejected next steps

asg23

I have read through some posts and wanted some advice
i suffer with chronic pain and under review for lupus (inflammatory aitritus) 
as well as depression and anxiety as well as dyslexia this is a list of some things 
i have got the jist of how assessors can misjudge what you share (I had a telephone assessment) moving forward 
i would like some advice please
1. there were Q i was not comfortable answering which made me anxious eg toilet needs  food socialising etc so i was unable to answer them  openly and honesty in my MR could I list my examples and do i explain why i was unable to express how such things affect  me 
2. There were moments in the assessment I was asked over again to give them numbers of times however it was hard so i have a number as i felt i had to
3. a lot of the assessment went to how i do things for my kids but in the report it was linked to me and also a lot of stuff was taken out of context
4. i forgot to mention i have weak cartilage in my lower back cN i still list such things
5. I am super anxious sorry to bombard people i have more q but feel stupid to ask them 
6. i felt i had to be confident about my condition because in past i have not got support but when i put my foot down I have and in report i sounded overconfident according to them 
7. The walking distance thing i said. I use pram to aid me and struggle to walk but got used as i am able to walk 300 meters however this is not the case i stated i use taxis etc and in terms of driving i get anxious going places and things were written down different In report
8. most importantly driving i have manual cannot afford new car or a automatic as been on mat leave  stated i struggle to drive but apparently i can 
also i struggle with grip this is in my records but according to assessor i can open packets so it doesn’t match my medical evidence also i have manual car as well the dosage i am taking i did not know numbers so gave a figure as i felt i was asked over again 
9. aids what counts and what doesn’t in bedroom i have a chair to assist me change
bath i have a stool to sit on 
kitchen a chair and stool always ans I cannot stand for long but they wrote i can 5/10 mins

in terms of phone use i said i can use a phone but i struggle to use it due to fingers but never said can i write that all down as well as budgeting i never budget as my
partner does but i just said i have no problem I don’t budget 

sorry for the information overload i am just so stressed 

asg23

Thank you 
it is just frustrating knowing you are struggling to explain something but you are seen as confident 
I will definitely take your advice on board
kindly appreciated
i hope so I was scored 2 due to reading nothing more but really do not think my mental state can think or go as far as tribunal 

asg23

I wanted to ask at this stage the MR is it worth requesting some statements of close people like my husband and leaders from mum group where i go ? For example

poppy123456

You can ask those that know you well
to write a letter. However, the best person to explain exactly how your conditions affect you is yourself. Give at least 2 real world examples of exactly 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 consequences were. 

During the assessment it’s normal to be asked questions we’re uncomfortable answering. No one likes to talk about how our conditions affect us. The majority of the time we get used to doing things at our own pace, which then becomes the norm. It’s not until we talk about our conditions that we realise exactly how we are affected. 

Forget about the assessment now because that’s in the past. Think forward and move on. 

MR success rates have dropped to around 30ish%. Mid pandemic they were around 50%. So the most likely outcome is the decision will remain the same but we have had members that have had the decision changed at this stage. 

asg23

Thank you I appreciate your feedback 

asg23

Hi Guys
good evening I am currently in process of writing out my examples and re read the reports
i am getting really anxious as I have stated before some things were written and taken out of context like cleaning shopping putting food on a plate for my baby (in an emergency) 
if MR doesn’t work and it goes to Tribunal I feel that will be used againts me  as I felt the conversation steered towards me carrying out mum duties
does that make sense? 

I just don’t know is it worth the mental torture going through this stage with what I feel the tribunal may be horrible just don’t know
sorry 

poppy123456

The best advice anyone can give you is to put the report to one side and forget about it. This isn’t going to get you a PIP award. 

Concentrate on those real world incidents. 

janer1967

Hi there 

You have nothing to lose by doing the mr , if it fails you can then decide about going to tribunal you don't have to 

Tribunal isn't as scary as it sounds it's quite informal and the panel will explain everything and currently they are still taking place over phone 

asg23

Thank you it seems scary 
having to read things that are out of context and how the panel will bring it up 
but as you guys said I just need to forget about the assessment 

sorry once again

Sue_Alumni

Hi ,

You have nothing to apologise for.  Lots of people find the appeals process stressful and you are not alone in feeling this.  You have nothing to lose in doing a MR and even if the DWP doesn’t change its decision and you need to go to Tribunal the community be with you through that process.  It is not uncommon for people who the DWP have scored with zero points to win at Tribunal.

You can’t change what you said at the assessment, and you can’t add to your PIP form now but you can use the MR to add further information and to clarify where you think the DWP has misconstrued things.  Just give examples of how you struggle to carry out the PIP descriptors. You mention cleaning – this is not a PIP activity so you cant be awarded points for this activity.  Make sure you give a full account how you manage to cook and prepare a meal, dress, wash and mobilise etc etc..  It sounds as if you have aids to help you wash and bathe.  Needing to sit down to get dressed is not normally in itself sufficient to score points but maybe getting dressed takes you much longer than someone without your health conditions. Because of pain are you restricted in what you wear? Are there particular items of clothing that you have difficulty getting on because of your health conditions? Perhaps you don’t bother to get dressed properly some days because you are in so much pain.  You say you have to sit down to prepare food. Explain why this is – is that due to your back pain?    It sounds as if your baby is a motivation and prompt for many of your activities and that you are in significant pain while you carry out these activities, but you have to carry on and put up with the pain because you have a baby who depends on you.  You should also explain that you felt uncomfortable and embarrassed about talking about your toilet needs at the assessment. This is completely understandable and relatable but it makes it more important that you explain the full impact of your health conditions have on you. Your toilet needs are also relevant to how you feel going out and about.  For example someone with toilet needs etc may not feel comfortable going out as they are extremely anxious about finding an accessible toilet. Obviously, some of this may not be relevant to you, and I apologise if this is the case, but the point is that you need to try and give as much information as possible and yes, supporting statements from family and friends can be helpful as well. 

Its understandable to be anxious about the Tribunal and the long wait for a date doesn’t help.  The tribunal is independent of the DWP.  The panel is made up of a judge, a doctor and a disability expert.  Sometimes, very occasionally, the DWP will send someone to give evidence.  The tribunal panel will ask you lots of questions and you will need to answer them as best you can.  You are the best person to give evidence about how your conditions affect you.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

asg23

Thank you this has really helped and definitely I have two little ones having to meet their needs is painful but there is no choice most days

i appreciate all your points 

thank you once again 

Ross_Alumni

I'm glad you've found the reply from Sue helpful @asg23   I hope your two children are getting on okay

asg23

Thank you❤️