I am just in the process of appealing for PIP - can you help?

Hello elbest

I am sorry to hear that you have to appeal a PIP decision. 

Just to add to the post above that the appeal papers are really important when appealing a DWP decision. These papers contain the medical report that (probably) resulted in a nil award of PIP. It is useful to see why they the assessor thought you were not entitled, and you can then offer medical evidence to the tribunal to dispute the assessors findings.  

It is very important that any medical evidence is specific to the PIP descriptors and does not make general statements like 'my patient tells me that they cannot dress' it needs to say (for example) due to severe restrictions of the upper limbs caused by arthritis my patient cannot lift their arms and so dressing would be painful and difficult. 

It can take around 3 months after an appeal has been lodged for the appeal papers to be received. There are also long delays in some parts of the country in getting an appeal heard and decided, so you may find that you have  a lengthy wait ahead of you, but at least this gives you time to prepare your appeal. 

Secondly a tribunal MUST say why (if they are to agree with the DWP) the award from DLA has changed i.e. has your condition got better and if so how. 

You can also check to see if a local advice centre can help you with your appeal. 

Good luck

Maria