Beware

Hi disaillusioned

I do feel sorry for you, and you are not alone, we hear about similar situations to yourself here on the forum.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.

Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.

Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;

Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.

When you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.

I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in, also use our guides to help you when setting out your MR letter.

If you have any further questions then please come back to the forum.

Gary

Hi disillusioned,
I am also saddened to hear that your assessor did not appear to take into account the full extent of your disabilities, The zero points score must have been a major blow, coming at a difficult personal time. As Gary correctly observed, there are many people who suddenly receive zero points.
An ex nurse is right if DWP decide to remove your benefit (called a supersession) they need to show an actual change of circumstances has occurred. This is not just a different opinion from an assessor. In the next few days, try to get her as much evidence as possible, this could be medical reports, or statements from friends and family who can comment on how you perform the descriptor activities. Comment on whether your health has deteriorated, this could also be evidenced by having increased/more medication. If your health condition is a progressive one, don't be afraid to quote from a relevant website as to prognosis.Send all the evidence with your MR letter, and hopefully DWP will relinquish and reinstate your award.
In your MR letter, briefly criticise the assessment. Concentrate on the major failings eg inaccuracies -list one or two of the worst, there might be repetition aka cut and paste etc. Use a few bullet points, but don't labour the criticism as this will detract from all the other salient points you will make. You can write down the correct points value and explain. (There is no harm in doing this!)
I hope this helps. Sending all good wishes at this difficult time.
LL26