PIP assessment call- NO NOTICE

nsherburn
nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
edited October 2022 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
I applied for PIP in April following an ADHD diagnosis. 10 days ago I received a call from a mobile number without an appointment, the lady on the phone said she wanted to asked me a few questions about my claim form, she asked me 3 questions and I felt like I was being rushed along but I pushed back to get some points across however; she asked about my ability to prepare and it meals and I said I could but I often skipped meals and found it difficult to prepare but I still felt like I was being pushed along and concerned I didn’t get my full comments heard. 

I then received a text from DWP to say my written report had been received and I would receive a decision within 8 weeks. 

Glad that I didn’t have some drawn out intrusive assessment but I’m worried I won’t hit the criteria because I wasn’t assertive enough  to get my points across.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You will have had what’s called a paper based assessment. There’s are rare but possible, sometimes they need to just ask a few questions so will ring without sending an appointment out, which is normal.
    Ive never heard of anyone being refused after a paper based assessment.
    Waiting times for decisions are between 2-12 weeks sometimes longer. Once the decision is made if you’re not happy you can challenge that decision by requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR)
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thank you Poppy, I’ve read this could be the case but just concerned about some of the questions if I don’t get the points for them because she was rushing me along. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Welcome to the community @nsherburn :) 

    Hopefully they got all of the information they needed, and that you'll get the award you were hoping for! 

    I can imagine this was all quite stressful. I know it's easier said than done, but try to put it out of your mind for now, and wait to see what your decision letter says. 

    How have you been finding things since your relatively recent ADHD diagnosis? 
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thanks Tori, I’ve not been too bad, sometimes overwhelmed but as a whole it’s nice to finally understand myself more. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Just so that you're aware, you didn't need to wait for a diagnosis to apply for PIP because it's not about a diagnosis.
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Soooo… got my letter today and they rejected my application, I got zero points so I’ve requested MR
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    If this is based on a paper based assessment then this is the first time i've ever known anyone be refused from this.
    If you haven't already put the request in writing then you need to do this, rather than just request it by telephone. You need to state where and why you think you should have scored those points. Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.
    Remember, PIP isn't awarded based on any diagnosis.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    I'm sorry to hear that @nsherburn. Best of luck for your MR. Are you confident in knowing what the process is, and what you should include? 
  • thara9643
    thara9643 Posts: 69 Connected
    nsherburn said:
    Soooo… got my letter today and they rejected my application, I got zero points so I’ve requested MR
    Please get specialist advice from CAB. The entire mandatory reconsideration process is tricky and you need to understand what happens etc. You can access free but good impartial advice on their website, email or phone them up in the morning. Be honest at all times. You can also find a email address and useful contact number provided on their website as well. 
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    @poppy123456 thanks for commenting, yes was a paper based assessment, I’m quite annoyed tbh, the details in the decision are totally dismissive but I guess these are pretty generic responses. The DM said in the decision that I have no cognitive or sensory impairments no learning difficulties and no physical restrictions because I drive a car! Ridiculous but I have requested a subject access for a copy of my application so I can put it in writing and cross reference. Annoying it is another 12 week process though.
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    @Tori_Scope Thank you, not particularly confident but it says that very few get over turned at this stage and need to go to tribunal, I will do my research and try my best.
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    @thara9643 Thank you, I will have a look now to see if I can get some help 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    We've heard many people say that it's often best to look at ways to strengthen your own evidence, rather than disprove what might have been written. I hope that makes sense @nsherburn :)

    Do you have some examples that you can use to demonstrate what happens when you try each of the relevant activities? This Benefits and Work page is also quite helpful in explaining what's meant by terms like 'reliably', 'safely' etc. You just need to scroll down to the 'additional information' section.

    Getting some expert support can be helpful! Citizens Advice are a good option. You can see whether there's any other support available in your area by looking on advicelocal.uk.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    nsherburn said:
     I have requested a subject access for a copy of my application so I can put it in writing and cross reference.

    You definitely don't need your PIP2 form to request the MR. If it gets to Tribunal stage and very likely it will then you will receive all of that in your "bundle"
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    @Tori_Scope Thanks, yes originally I wanted to just pull it apart but think your right, I have lots of examples and will try to give a clearer description and link in some of the comments to make it relevant. 
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    @poppy123456 thanks Poppy, I just wanted this so I can refer to it and elaborate more on my answers etc, I’ve also asked for a subject request from my GP so I can evidence the anxiety etc.
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Hi, just wanted to update, my MR came back with 3 points for social interactions but that was all they adjusted. 

    I’ve applied for tribunal but unfortunately couldn’t get CAB to help within the deadline so I submitted as best I could myself.

    The DWP was due to respond by 5th October but I haven’t heard anything yet.

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    This sounds really frustrating and difficult @nsherburn. Sorry to hear that things are tough for you at the moment.

    Well done submitting as best as you could yourself. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you  :)
  • nsherburn
    nsherburn Online Community Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thank you 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    You are welcome @nsherburn. How are you doing at the moment?  :)