recent pip decision does not refer too what truthfully took place in telephone medical assessment

cmaria22

i know this because im my daughters appointee and i was present during the telephone assesment so i really dont understand her scoring 0 points, or the explanation of why the decision was made. It states she never shown anxiety and communicated well with assessor when she had a panic attack whilst in the call I had to stop assessment and go get her a drink and we had to wait till she calmed down and was able too speak properly again...then it states she required no prompting with answers she never needed my support in answering assessor questions when I had to constant reassure her that 'she was ok' an to 'just answer honestly' or I was explaining a question to her in a way she understood what the assessor was asking...another issue was it claiming she diesnt require any supplements vitamins etc when again this was spoken about and medically prescribed due to vitamin d deficiency....to be honest in the decision I would of thought the decision maker hadnt had the report from the assessment but they made reference too one incident described on the call that wasnt written on her actual claim form ... 

Now I am going to request a mandatory reconsideration but I'm obviously assuming that the assessor hasnt given a honest report too the decision makers (cos again I'm trusting that the decision will be made through a honest consideration of all the evidence provided an with my daughters claim being inregards too her mental health we relied alot on the medical assessors report too support our claim) so I strongly believe that somehow my daughter has been treated unfairly here and discriminated against by the medical assessor that we trusted too be honest...

The thing is, is because of my daughters mental health and history of self harming too we actually have cameras all over the house so she can see me and I can see her we can also talk over them if she hears a noise etc it eases her anxiety having them so, I actually have the entire medical phone assessment recorded on my home camera feed and because I'm my daughters appointee it was all on loud speaker I feel like sending this footage in with her reconsideration request...but I'm not sure if I'm allowed but it's clear by decision that either the decision maker has not took the medical assessors report into any consideration or the medical assessor has not made a honest report?? 

Honestly my head is a mess thinking about it all I feel absolutely betrayed by a system I actually trusted too be atleast fair in their decision now I'm not saying they should of accepted her application but I do believe they should of atleast decide like theyve actually read her application and made a decision based on this...I feel like the decision was made using 'copy and paste' and her name put in randomly and a little bit of medical info so it looks as tho its personal but it's really not an I'm sure if I shared it in its entirety many people will say it's like there own refusal decision word for word in places

This is peoples lives their effecting with these decisions surely they have a requirement by law too give a fair honest decision. Dont they understand how much the whole application process effects peoples mental stability and how much these decisions and explanations of these decisions can triggers severe depression an instigated suicidal behaviour violent outbursts. It's not nice when you let someone know your most inner personal issues and literally bare all too them....and they simply respond with...we decided that you do not need help when ..... an that 'you can do this and you can do that' when you really really cant .... my daughter let them into her most personal struggles feelings and they virtually told her shes lying....how can this be legal ??! 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @cmaria22 and thanks for reaching out during what is a very difficult time for you and your daughter. I'm so sorry to hear about the stress your PIP application is causing. This isn't an easy process, and it takes a lot of courage to share exactly how it makes you feel. 

It's positive to hear that you'd like to challenge the decision and that your next step is a Mandatory Reconsideration, if you need any support with that, then please do ask- our members are very knowledgeable on the subject. 

You're welcome to contact the Scope Helpline, if you'd like to run through everything with one of our advisers, you can do this by phone or email. 

If that isn't successful, the next step would be an appeal to tribunal, which Turn2Us has some guidance on, if you'd find it useful to read. 

If you can, make sure to take time to look after your own mental health and wellbeing, as something like this is bound to have an impact. 

Dont they understand how much the whole application process effects peoples mental stability and how much these decisions and explanations of these decisions can triggers severe depression an instigated suicidal behaviour violent outbursts.

Could I ask if this is something which is happening at the moment for you or your daughter? And do you feel like you're being supported enough with mental health right now? 

If either of you are struggling, please reach out for support. You can text 'SHOUT' to 85258, anytime for free help. Or you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org to chat to the team. 

Do keep us up to date with how everything is going, and if we can do anything else to support you further, please let us know   

Alex

cmaria22

I do apologise about the rant earlier, I just felt the need too get it all off my chest,
before I write this request for reconsideration otherwise I wouldnt be doing my daughter any favors by ranting it all to them... 
So Thankyou

Also Thankyou for your lovely response I really do appreciate your kind words 

cmaria22

Also no we are ok mentalhealth wise but thanks for the info x

rebel11

Stay calm when dealing with the MR, Don't get 'tunnel vision', concentrate on the evidence. Fill in the MR form (don't tell them you want to MR over the phone). You can transcribe from your recording what was said and why it doesn't reflect the 'difficulties' your daughter faces daily that you explained during the Assessment, but the Assessor didn't get it.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration-pip/


 

Alex_Alumni

You're very welcome @cmaria22 there's no need to apologise, you can use the community as a place to vent/rant and get things off your chest anytime!

I'm glad the information I've shared is useful, and it's always there, even if you don't need it right now.

As there are plenty of members here who have been through similar things, it's not a bother to rant, and often it's a positive thing to do, to offload like that, as you say  

I'm pleased to see that other members have commented to share their thoughts too, and if you need a hand with the MR, then just ask, you know where to find us.