Pip appeal - should I withdraw and make a new claim?

ecrnd1

Hello,

I made my first ever pip claim in June 2021, they scored me 0 points, and again on the mandatory consideration. I did lack detail extremely as I had no idea what I was doing or what to write as I found the questions very vague. My mental health has seriously deteriorated since 2019 and I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to fill the pip form out with no help. I have BPD, depression and anxiety and have done since I can remember but wasn’t diagnosed until 2017 & 2019 due to some serious mental breakdowns.

However, I did appeal it and I am in the process of that. I have a support worker now who says I filled the form out wrong as I just lacked detail and impulsively wrote a long letter about my symptoms (but not linking them to what pip were looking for in particular I suppose) I found the whole process made my mental health worse 

I am just wondering if I should withdraw my pip appeal and make a new claim as I have a support worker and mental health workers who now support me and will be able to help me. I rang recently for an update on my pip appeal and they said I should know about a hearing being booked in about 8 weeks time. I have a lot of evidence it is just how I filled the form out I think that has made my pip claim unsuccessful. So I’m leaning more towards a new claim I just wondered if anyone had any advice or experience in this. Sorry if I’ve been vague.

Thank you to anyone who answers 

calcotti

Even if you are minded to make a new claim you can still let the appeal run. If successful any award made by the tribunal will only run from the first claim date to your new claim date.

[Deleted User]

I don't understand the point of starting a new claim, if you haven't scored enough points a new claim probably isn't going to change that, appealing is the better option at this point.

poppy123456

KerryBemmy said:

I don't understand the point of starting a new claim, if you haven't scored enough points a new claim probably isn't going to change that, appealing is the better option at this point.

Agreed.

ecrnd1

Thank you for your answers, it’s hard to get clear answers regarding pip (I’m also very anti social so I find it hard asking anyway). I had no idea you could still go through with the appeal, although I’m worried it’ll get thrown out anyway. My mental health was probably at its lowest at the time so when I first filled it out and applied I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I will probably do a new claim while still doing the appeal as it’s a few weeks away from being booked.

thank you again

poppy123456

Are you appearing in person or requested a telephone/video hearing? There's more chance of success this way, about 70%. Paper based hearings have much less success at about 5-8%.

ecrnd1

poppy123456 said:

Are you appearing in person or requested a telephone/video hearing? There's more chance of success this way, about 70%. Paper based hearings have much less success at about 5-8%.

I’ve requested one in person (my social anxiety is extreme though so I’m very nervous). The DWP are arguing that I deteriorated mentally during my claim rather then when I made it, which isn’t true as I’ve been in and out of care since 2019 (claim made in 2021). I just wish I didn’t rush into my answers on my claim as they were literally one sentences to two sentences. (I was very depressed at the time and was physically unwell I think I just didn’t care) so I’m sure they will just throw it out anyway lol 

calcotti

ecrnd1 said: I just wish I didn’t rush into my answers on my claim as they were literally one sentences to two sentences. (I was very depressed at the time and was physically unwell I think I just didn’t care) so I’m sure they will just throw it out anyway lol 

The whole point of the tribunal is to allow the panel to speak to you and ask you questions to fill in gaps in the existing evidence. However if you know information is missing you should provide the tribunal with a submission to add to what was previously submitted. 

nasturtium

ecrnd1 said:

I’ve requested one in person (my social anxiety is extreme though so I’m very nervous).

You can request your tribunal hearing to be done on the Telephone in your own home if that would be easier for you. All you need to do is to contact the tribunal service and explain you want a telephone hearing because you would not be able to cope with an face to face hearing because of your social anxiety. A telephone hearing is still classed as an in person hearing because you are talking to the tribunal and answering there questions.

ecrnd1

nasturtium said:

ecrnd1 said:

I’ve requested one in person (my social anxiety is extreme though so I’m very nervous).

You can request your tribunal hearing to be done on the Telephone in your own home if that would be easier for you. All you need to do is to contact the tribunal service and explain you want a telephone hearing because you would not be able to cope with an face to face hearing because of your social anxiety. A telephone hearing is still classed as an in person hearing because you are talking to the tribunal and answering there questions.

Thank you! I didn’t realise it would still be classed as in person this would be better for me as I tend to get very overwhelmed in person and forget everything 

ecrnd1

calcotti said:

ecrnd1 said: I just wish I didn’t rush into my answers on my claim as they were literally one sentences to two sentences. (I was very depressed at the time and was physically unwell I think I just didn’t care) so I’m sure they will just throw it out anyway lol 

The whole point of the tribunal is to allow the panel to speak to you and ask you questions to fill in gaps in the existing evidence. However if you know information is missing you should provide the tribunal with a submission to add to what was previously submitted. 

I think after the DWP sent their response to throw my case out it sent me off again and I couldn’t even bear to look at it to respond. I thought they would turn around and say well you didn’t write this at first so why would we award you anything? Sort of thing.  thank you feel lost on this whole process 

poppy123456

ecrnd1 said:

Thank you! I didn’t realise it would still be classed as in person this would be better for me as I tend to get very overwhelmed in person and forget everything 

I did advise previously that face to face/video and telephone have the same success rates.

poppy123456 said:

Are you appearing in person or requested a telephone/video hearing? There's more chance of success this way, about 70%. Paper based hearings have much less success at about 5-8%.