Confused with PIP - I think I’ve done MR wrong!

chili14 · January 2022

Hi everyone.

apologies if this doesn’t read cohesively- my conditions mean I struggle with putting the correct words and I sometimes jump around in what I’m saying. This is also my first post so if I have broke rule or housekeeping - sorry.

I applied for PIP back in June. Sent off the medical evidence I had (letters from hospital following appointment to confirm diagnosed conditions) and wrote my anecdotal evidence in the appropriate boxes. Those which I didn’t have any issues with I left blank.

October I had a telephone assessment and end November my decision- 0 points (daily living, I didn’t apply mobility as I am able to walk distances without issues on most days).

The decision makers letter didn’t explain why each section scored 0, rather giving a line or two to state he does not think I suffer the symptoms and therefore my stories aren’t correct. He then quoted a section of my medical letter to support his belief as in my consultants first ever letter he stated that some cases never experience a symptom and if they do it is generally after many years.

Unfortunately, my condition has significantly worsened during the time and despite further letters already provided to prove this, they weren’t taken into consideration.
It was also stated that because I was polite on the telephone and came across as having a good level of education I did not suffer the issues stated. They also stated that as I had not suffered any injuries as a result of my conditions - the symptoms and related examples were false.

Given, with my MR my husband helped me put together a response that provided more stories of episodes, provided further medical evidence to state I am suffering the symptoms and that these are reported symptoms of anyone with the conditions, and responded to the decision makers & reporters comments with further evidence that what I am reporting is true, eg statements from family members relating to a specific time they have had to help.

I have now read that providing a lot of medical evidence can be counter productive and I’m worried I’ve ruined my MR chance. I was also very shocked to have scored 0 - is this “normal”?

poppy123456 · January 2022

Hi,

MR success rate is low,. although we have had some members that have had the decision changed at this stage.

Sending information about your condition and the reported symptoms is not evidence. PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis. It's how those conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. Medical evidence is only helpful if it states exactly how your conditions affect you but most only state the basics like medication, diagnosis etc etc. Less is often more.

We've had lots of people here that have scored zero points, which is perfectly normal on any internet forum because we mostly only hear the bad stories. The majority of people claim PIP successfully.

If you're not happy once the decision is made then you can take it to Tribunal.

calcotti · January 2022

chili14 said:
Unfortunately, my condition has significantly worsened during the time and despite further letters already provided to prove this, they weren’t taken into consideration.

Any worsening of your condition will not be taken into account for the MR. The MR is to determine if the original decision was correct based on your how you were affected by your health at the time you applied.

chili14 · January 2022

poppy123456 said:

Hi,
MR success rate is low,. although we have had some members that have had the decision changed at this stage.
Sending information about your condition and the reported symptoms is not evidence. PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis. It's how those conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. Medical evidence is only helpful if it states exactly how your conditions affect you but most only state the basics like medication, diagnosis etc etc. Less is often more.
We've had lots of people here that have scored zero points, which is perfectly normal on any internet forum because we mostly only hear the bad stories. The majority of people claim PIP successfully.
If you're not happy once the decision is made then you can take it to Tribunal.

Yes the medical evidence provided was letters from my neurosurgeon detailing my specific symptoms and why they are happening - eg spinal damage.

chili14 · January 2022

calcotti said:

chili14 said:
Unfortunately, my condition has significantly worsened during the time and despite further letters already provided to prove this, they weren’t taken into consideration.

Any worsening of your condition will not be taken into account for the MR. The MR is to determine if the original decision was correct based on your how you were affected by your health at the time you applied.

My condition has got worse since I applied but before the decision was made and I rang each time to inform them of updates, when I was admitted for first lot of brain surgery etc. They told me this is taken into consideration as it’s before decision was made. Confused now 😞

poppy123456 · January 2022

When you you them you are ringing a call centre, not someone from DWP and they have very little knowledge.

chili14 · January 2022

poppy123456 said:

When you you them you are ringing a call centre, not someone from DWP and they have very little knowledge.

Oh okay.
you’d think they’d be giving out correct advice tho?

calcotti · January 2022

chili14 said:..you’d think they’d be giving out correct advice tho?

Unfortunately often not.

Confused with PIP - I think I’ve done MR wrong!

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