Reclaiming for PIP AGAIN!

Floydiee1995

So i applied a few years back for pip and was refused. Like a silly bee i was too scare to appeal.. So I am trying again. My notes i sent in last time and letters obviously didn't mean anything to them and they are the only once i have (past surgeries etc and ones coming up. I recieved the form yesterday and have no idea weather to send the same evidence again or what could be more beneficial evidence? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you 

poppy123456

Doing what you did previously and sending the same evidence could see another refusal. What you need to do this time is when filling out the form add a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each activity that applies to you.

Include detailed information of exactly what happened, did anyone see it, where were you and what the consequences were. You should aim for at least half an A4 side of paper per descriptor.

Future appointment letters are not classed as evidence, so please bear that in mine. Make sure you add your name and NI number to everything you send and only send copies (keep a copy for yourself)

Sue_Alumni

Good afternoon @Floydiee1995
I think in order to make a successful claim for PIP you need to do things a bit differently than you did last time when you were refused.  If you just repeat exactly what you said previously the chances are that you will be turned down again. The decision maker will consider how your disabilities affect the way you carry out, or rather, struggle to carry out, the PP activities  at around the time of your PIP claim.  You will need to show why evidence from a couple of years ago is relevant.  Hospital appointment letters are not relevant as they do not give any information as to how your conditions impact on you. 

In respect of each PIP activity you say you struggle with, you should give as much information as you can and give examples from your daily life when you complete your PIP form  For example if you rely on someone to help you to cook and prepare a meal explain who helps you and what they do and how often and why you rely on them for that help. 

It is useful to have medical evidence to support your claim but don't not make a claim because you don't have any up to date evidence.  Send what you have and make sure it is relevant.  If you get any further evidence you can send it later. 

Floydiee1995

Thank you for both of your replies! Yes indeed this time I have sat next to the descriptors and conveyed my actual experiences and how they effect me. Whereas last time I noticed I didn't do that and went more on my actual disabilities rather than how they actually effect me! 

I have read a lot on here and I can see a lot of the same thing being said regarding evidence and that GPS, OT's and Consultants don't actually see how it effects me but they obviously do the investigations, surgeries and therapy etc and know my condition is at last stage and will never get better. Should I maybe get something like that as well? or would it be more getting accounts from friends and family members who see my condition every day? 

poppy123456

Anecdotal evidence is what you should aim for. The only person that knows exactly how your conditions affect you is yourself. 

Make sure you’re not confusing anecdotal with assertions because they are not the same. So telling them you can do X because of Y is not anecdotal.

Some people find that letters of support from a family member that knows how your conditions affect you help but you should rely heavily on that. 

Floydiee1995

poppy123456 said:

Anecdotal evidence is what you should aim for. The only person that knows exactly how your conditions affect you is yourself. 

Make sure you’re not confusing anecdotal with assertions because they are not the same. So telling them you can do X because of Y is not anecdotal.

Some people find that letters of support from a family member that knows how your conditions affect you help but you should rely heavily on that. 

Thank you for pointing this out I'm pretty happy with what I have written in compliance with the descriptors. Going off struggles i face why etc and my overall safety of doing tasks. Reading this i'm feeling maybe It's not a necessity to send evidence 

poppy123456

Evidence such as medical isn’t really needed unless it states exactly how your conditions affect you. Most doesn’t. Sometimes those that suffer with mental health if they have evidence from the mental health team, this can often be useful. 

Less if often more with evidence. As an example, for my PIP review last year I sent a repeat prescription list and a letter from the OT stating what adaptions I had been given. The rest was anecdotal. I had a paper based assessment. 

Floydiee1995

Awesome! Thank you for clarifying and putting my mind at ease! fingers crossed what I have written is good enough with my experiences of day-day life with my numerous conditions. I get High rate ESA and that process was nothing compared to this it was an absoloute breeze! will keep you updated on how I get on 

L_Volunteer

Glad we were able to clarify and put your mind at ease @Floydiee1995. It is the very least you deserve.

Good luck! Please feel free to let us know how it goes. If you need any support in the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to us, we are all here for you 

Sue_Alumni

Good luck @Floydiee1995 and keeep in touch and let us know how you get on 

Floydiee1995

Sue_Alumni said:

Good luck @Floydiee1995 and keeep in touch and let us know how you get on 

I had my assessment Wednesday 19th! No text to say DWP have recieved the report so assuming it’s in for auditing as he said it would be sent off that day. 

Just trying to keep myself busy just glad most the process is over with now and waiting on decision 😊

poppy123456

Floydiee1995 said:

Sue_Alumni said:

Good luck @Floydiee1995 and keeep in touch and let us know how you get on 

I had my assessment Wednesday 19th! No text to say DWP have recieved the report so assuming it’s in for auditing as he said it would be sent off that day. 

If it's in audit the assessor wouldn't have known in advance.

Floydiee1995

So I have an update (would like to keep this thread open of my journey) I did request the assessors report too which he scored me 7 for daily living and 4 for mobility. I received my decision makers report and they scored me the exact same meaning I was not eligible to claim PIP.

The adviser on the phone highly recommended I put in an MR as I was so close on the daily living and have since completed that. Will be sending this first thing in the morning 20/11/2022. I followed all the advice from the internet I could find! Only thing I am worried about is in my MR I have stated that my conditions have declined massively since putting my first form in, in June this year. I am unsure if they will take that into consideration or just go by the assessments.. 

Anyway I am relieved I have completed the MR and pray for a good response! I do however note MR's are extremely difficult to get a different decision may that be higher or lower! If not, tribunal here I come!! 

Any advice i would give is don't give up! I applied in 2019 and got scored 0 for everything and never bothered to go further with it because it just completely drained and broke me. Ask for help is what I did and this forum is amazing so thanks guys you've all helped me so much, pointed me in the right direction and gave me the kick I needed to get this done! 

Will update anything further from here.
Amy x

poppy123456

If you didn't mention those worsening of conditions during your assessment they will not be taken into consideration going forward and i'd advise you to remove that part.

Floydiee1995

Luckily I did during the assessment 😊 fingers crossed 

L_Volunteer

My fingers are crossed for you too @Floydiee1995. It sounds positive that you did during the assessment.

Please feel free to let us know how it goes and if you need any support in the meantime. We are all here for you and listening to you 

Floydiee1995

L_Volunteer said:

My fingers are crossed for you too @Floydiee1995. It sounds positive that you did during the assessment.

Please feel free to let us know how it goes and if you need any support in the meantime. We are all here for you and listening to you 

Thank you! I hope to hear something in the new year! It’s taken a week to send it back! My cut off date is today so hoping it will arrive to them today! Just worried I haven’t done it right! If not to tribunal I go!

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @Floydiee1995. It is the very least you deserve.

Hopefully, you will hear something in the new year. What a nightmare with the lengthy processes. Though, it sounds like it was sent in time! 

Wishing you all the best of luck with this. Hopefully, you have done it right too. Is there anything, in particular, that might help reduce your worries at the moment?

Please feel free to let us know how it goes and if you need any other support in the meantime. We are all here for you and listening to you.

Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

Floydiee1995

I still haven’t heard anything! The longer the worse my anxiety is getting 😑 hopefully not much longer now 

Floydiee1995

Phoned today and my MR is with decision maker! So hopefully not long. If negative which I’m expecting with the MR percentage it will be kelts the same it probably shouldn’t be long? Or doesn’t it matter 

Floydiee1995

So it looks like I’m going to tribunal! Any advice please I’m stressing so much today