PIP assessors report is this right?

phrank
phrank Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
Hi there,

I have just got the assessors report from my pip paper based review. The descriptor points are fine (more than last time) it sounds as though things might stay as they are.

But, the assessor has recommended that I be reviewed in 18 months and I'll be on state pension well before then. My last award was for 3 years and I can't understand why this has happened.

She says my medictaion has changed and I'm now taking maximum dosage for MH issues and that I am how taking mediction for anxiety.

I am not taking maximum medication for MH issues and the anxiety has always been there, the medication covers everything.

I thought because of my age (4 months from state pension age) I would get an ongoing award. Also if it is an 18 month award, I will be possibly getting another form in March? 

Surely someone has got the wires crossed.

In a recent phone call a case manager at the DWP told me any new award would be a 10 year light touch one.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    The report makes up part of your evidence and is just a recommendation, it's not the decision letter. You need to wait for the decision. Not everyone of state pension age will have an ongoing award, only people who's condition isn't expected to chaange.

    Once the decision's made if you don't agree you can request the MR for the length of the award only.
  • phrank
    phrank Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
    Hi Poppy,

    Thanks for that. The letter from my GP states that it's a lifelong condition surely that would make a difference? 

    The recommendation from the assessor is for 18 months review (my last one was 3 years) and her knowledge of MH medication isn't up to scratch. I even scored more points this time round. I might just write to the DM and point some things out.

    But surely 'lifelong' (which it is) in black and white from my own GP should be taken as read?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    A letter from your GP telling them your condition is life long carries very little weight. A GP doesn't know exactly how your conditions affect you and PIP isn't about a diagnosis.

    The HCP doesn't need to have any specific knowledge on any conditions. The onus is on you to prove you qualify and to tell them how your conditions affect you because everyone is affected differently by these conditions.

    There's no harm in trying to contact a decision maker to point things out to them.
  • phrank
    phrank Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
    Thanks Poppy,

    My whole point is the assessor did recognise my conditions(s) and recommended the correct award in my opinion.

    I now  have to convince the DM that this justifies an ongoing award.

    That's what I intend to do. I've already drafted a letter to the DM and will work on this over the weekend.

    I'll aim to enlighten them about my condition(s) and try to let them know that things are very unlikely to change as I have been more or less the same for the past 11 years..

    Thanks again.
  • phrank
    phrank Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
    Hi Mike,

    Thanks for that. So is it best for me to tell them I feel it would be more justifiable to my health and cause that i recieve an ongoing award and not for 18 months because......... etc etc.
  • phrank
    phrank Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected
    Hi Mike,

    That simpifies things. It sounds like the assessor just went for the shortest because of that.

    My letter will be finished over the weekend and then sent pronto to the DM.

Categories