Help constructing a pip mandatory reconsideration letter

davepsnr

Has anyone written one, and how did it go?  Any tips on how to get them to change a decision?

poppy123456

You should put your request in writing stating where and why you think you should have scored those points. Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Add detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

The most likely outcome of the MR will be the decision remains the same. If this happens you can proceed with Tribunal. Timescales for MR is 2-12 weeks.

davepsnr

It seems unfair they only give you an hour for the phone assessment as that makes each point time restricted so you dont really get to say how it actually affects you each day when each day is different.  Only how it affects you summed up in a few minutes.  Is it worth putting something like that into an MR letter?

davepsnr

Why is it most likely the outcome of the MR will be the same?

poppy123456

davepsnr said:

Why is it most likely the outcome of the MR will be the same?

Because only 27% of MR decisions change, which means most don't.

poppy123456

davepsnr said:

It seems unfair they only give you an hour for the phone assessment as that makes each point time restricted so you dont really get to say how it actually affects you each day when each day is different.  Only how it affects you summed up in a few minutes.  Is it worth putting something like that into an MR letter?

The assessments are not time restricted. An assessment can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, somtimes longer. You need to put the assessment behind you because this isn't going to get you a PIP award.

davepsnr

The assessments are not time restricted. An assessment can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, somtimes longer. You need to put the assessment behind you because this isn't going to get you a PIP award. - I was told mine was? I was told from the start I only had an hour even though I was phoned 10 minutes past my appt time, and cut short in several of my replies due to "time constraints" - I assume that the calls are recorded?

davepsnr

poppy123456 said:

davepsnr said:

Why is it most likely the outcome of the MR will be the same?

Because only 27% of MR decisions change, which means most don't.

I dont dispute the stats, just curious as to why. 

Shelll

I wrote a letter for MR I was scored 0 on my original assessment. I was awarded standard daily living by MR. I sourced a draft letter online

davepsnr

Shelll said:

I wrote a letter for MR I was scored 0 on my original assessment. I was awarded standard daily living by MR. I sourced a draft letter online

I cant seem to see any templates so will write one from scratch.  Sounds amazing you got a decision well done.  Any tips?

poppy123456

davepsnr said:

 I assume that the calls are recorded?

No, the assessments are not recorded unless you ask them to record it.

There's a form you can download and print here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683380/if-you-disagree-with-a-decision-made-by-dwp.PDF

Or you can just write the letter and include the real world incidents i advised above.

davepsnr

poppy123456 said:

davepsnr said:

 I assume that the calls are recorded?

No, the assessments are not recorded unless you ask them to record it.

There's a form you can download and print here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683380/if-you-disagree-with-a-decision-made-by-dwp.PDF

Or you can just write the letter and include the real world incidents i advised above.

I would have thought it made it easier as I could say anything different to what I told them at the time and vice versa?

poppy123456

davepsnr said:

poppy123456 said:

I would have thought it made it easier as I could say anything different to what I told them at the time and vice versa?

I don't know what you mean by that sorry. You can use the form i posted above or write a letter. Either way, if you didn't include those real world examples i mentioned above when you filled out the original form then you should do that for the MR stage.

davepsnr

poppy123456 said:

davepsnr said:

poppy123456 said:

I would have thought it made it easier as I could say anything different to what I told them at the time and vice versa?

I don't know what you mean by that sorry. You can use the form i posted above or write a letter. Either way, if you didn't include those real world examples i mentioned above when you filled out the original form then you should do that for the MR stage.

When it comes to mobility and walking, would a device like a stick or crutch, be taken into account if I use one I bought myself or does it have to be provided medically?

poppy123456

If it's medically reasonable for an aid to be used then no it shouldn't go against you.

davepsnr

poppy123456 said:

If it's medically reasonable for an aid to be used then no it shouldn't go against you.

But doesnt medically reasonable mean it has to be prescribed not just bought by me? I could buyone because I think I need it and it helps, however a doctor might say i dont need one?

poppy123456

The stick will apply to the mobility part "moving around" Points can be scored whether you use an aid or not, even if they say the aid isn't needed.

https://pipinfo.net/activities/moving-around

nasturtium

davepsnr said:

But doesnt medically reasonable mean it has to be prescribed not just bought by me? I could buyone because I think I need it and it helps, however a doctor might say i dont need one?

Anything can be an aid if it replaces a function lost because of disability. An aid does not need to be prescribed for it to be classed as an aid. It is upto you to describe why that aid is important for you to complete the PIP activity "Relaibly" that is either safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor or to an acceptable standard. https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably Doing the activity reliably counts for every PIP activity and if you cannot do the activity relaibly then you should score points but you need to explain according to the descriptors why you cannot do the activity reliably. The key is understanding what the activity is and what the descriptors mean. See here https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably#activities and here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

So it is upto you to explain why you use those aids, what would happen if you did not have those aids, how those aids help you with your disability or medical condition, would there be a safety issue if you did not have and use that aid, would you be in pain if you did not use that aid (would mean that you woud not be able to do the activity to an acceptable standard but you would need to describe in detail the type of pain etc)

Hope that helps

davepsnr

nasturtium said:

davepsnr said:

But doesnt medically reasonable mean it has to be prescribed not just bought by me? I could buyone because I think I need it and it helps, however a doctor might say i dont need one?

Anything can be an aid if it replaces a function lost because of disability. An aid does not need to be prescribed for it to be classed as an aid. It is upto you to describe why that aid is important for you to complete the PIP activity "Relaibly" that is either safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor or to an acceptable standard. https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably Doing the activity reliably counts for every PIP activity and if you cannot do the activity relaibly then you should score points but you need to explain according to the descriptors why you cannot do the activity reliably. The key is understanding what the activity is and what the descriptors mean. See here https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably#activities and here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

So it is upto you to explain why you use those aids, what would happen if you did not have those aids, how those aids help you with your disability or medical condition, would there be a safety issue if you did not have and use that aid, would you be in pain if you did not use that aid (would mean that you woud not be able to do the activity to an acceptable standard but you would need to describe in detail the type of pain etc)

Hope that helps

That info is great thank you.  really does help.   In writing a mandatory reconsideration letter, is there a specified length? Does it matter how long or short it is etc?

poppy123456

There's no specific length for the MR letter because it will depend on each individual claimant and how their conditions affect them.

Cartini

davepsnr said:

nasturtium said:

davepsnr said:

But doesnt medically reasonable mean it has to be prescribed not just bought by me? I could buyone because I think I need it and it helps, however a doctor might say i dont need one?

Anything can be an aid if it replaces a function lost because of disability. An aid does not need to be prescribed for it to be classed as an aid. It is upto you to describe why that aid is important for you to complete the PIP activity "Relaibly" that is either safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor or to an acceptable standard. https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably Doing the activity reliably counts for every PIP activity and if you cannot do the activity relaibly then you should score points but you need to explain according to the descriptors why you cannot do the activity reliably. The key is understanding what the activity is and what the descriptors mean. See here https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably#activities and here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form-pip/

So it is upto you to explain why you use those aids, what would happen if you did not have those aids, how those aids help you with your disability or medical condition, would there be a safety issue if you did not have and use that aid, would you be in pain if you did not use that aid (would mean that you woud not be able to do the activity to an acceptable standard but you would need to describe in detail the type of pain etc)

Hope that helps

That info is great thank you.  really does help.   In writing a mandatory reconsideration letter, is there a specified length? Does it matter how long or short it is etc?

To add to the very good advice from nasturtium......

I no longer have a bath - it`s dangerous for me to sit down for, and stand up after, a bath (this is compounded by memories I have as a 5 year old when I slipped in the bath and cracked just under my left eye on the bath side.  I can still see the bath covered in blood).

I use a grab bar when I have a shower, without this I wouldn`t be safe.

I have a grab bar in the toilet to help me sit on the toilet and to stand up after I`ve finished.

I have to hold on to the bathroom sink when cleaning my teeth to steady myself.

I use a dining chair, when needed, to prepare vegetables because of lumbar pain.

I use a litter picker to pick clothes off the floor when I get dressed because I have "challenges" bending down.

When my spondylosis / stenosis is really bad, when I move round I hold on to the radiators, door handles, banister to steady myself.

These are all aids to me.

Andy