Pip refused, am very disappointed and feel let down

Hi Jane

Welcome to the forum. You can find information here about navigating the site and frequently asked questions. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq

I'm sorry you find yourself in this position and I understand why you are disappointed after trying to take the test. Unfortunately, the test can only give an indication of what you might score - but in reality, many people find they come out with something different and this can be due to a variety of factors.

The first thing you want to do (if you haven't already) is ring the DWP and ask for a copy of your assessment report. It's called a PA4. This will give you more of an idea of why the health professional decided to award you zero points. As sad or angry as you are feeling at the moment, try to put that to one side an remember they are simply offering an opinion - albeit it one you firmly disagree with. Use all your energy to fight the decision through the MR process.

I know you said you are new, but I don't know whether you used our guides to fill out your original application. If you haven't had a look at the Guide to PIP claims and reviews, It is a large document, but there is lots of information about the best way to answer questions. I'm not saying you didn't write a good application, but it's worth having a look to see if there is anything you missed out.
You have to understand that the person who did your review may only have limited knowledge and experience of osteoarthritis, so it can be challenging to get someone else to understand just how debilitating it is.

When you get the PA4 - go through every question and see what they said and how you can contradict it. Do not focus on anything that is not about scoring points - it's the points that will get you the award. No one will care if there are typos. ( as maddening as that might be). Don't fall into the trap of call the assessor a liar (which a lot of claimants want to do) - you say that they were "mistaken" or "missed something..." "forgot I said..." etc etc.

You have said in this post that you need help. Can the person who gives you help write a letter detailing what they do for you and what they have observed (sticking to the PIP criteria)? One size of A4 should be sufficient.

When it comes to pain, many assessors find it difficult to understand. I don't know what you said - but you need to make sure that you have given them enough description of the pain. So you say that you can't walk or stand most days - so first thing they are going to think is how does she get to the toilet and what distance is the toilet from the bed? Make sure that you are clear on the fact that it takes you much longer to move than it does someone without the condition. What happens when you are in pain,? Is your balance affected, do you suffer from shortness of breath? Do you have to grab onto a person, an aid or furniture. Do you have to stop because of the pain? How long does it take you to catch your breath before you can move again? When you've had a shower - how quickly can you return to your bedroom? How long does it take you to get dressed? Do you just have to lie down again? Do you feel nauseous? Do you lose your grip? If you do lose your grip, what have you dropped? Are there any side effects to the meds you take? Is your pain worse at different times of the day, or is it constant?

I'm not suggesting that you sit down and answer all these questions. These are just ones that came randomly out of my head because I have done a lot of this for people with long-term pain conditions. You may have put in lots of detail - but often, people don't put in enough or say enough for someone who isn't familiar to understand. And make sure that you always link anything you say back to the PIP criteria.

You have one month from the date on the decision letter to put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Try and get hold of the PA4 - it normally takes 7 - 10 days to arrive. Do have a look at our Guide to PIP Appeals (which also has the information for Mandatory Reconsideration). Try and get the report - because you will have a better idea of what you're fighting against - not just the decision letter. benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip (Scroll down the page to see the different guides)

If you have any further questions - do come back and ask and we will try to help.

BIS

Hi Jiffy

I am sorry that you look like you may find yourself in a similar position to Jane. That is potentially a catastrophic drop. You could write to the decision maker ASAP and say where you disagree and what you think you should have scored. You will have a very small window to do so - but it might be worth a try, and you say in that letter that you reserve the right to put in for an MR at a later date if necessary.

BIS

Morning Jiffy,

I too struggle with days and nights like this at times when something is worrying you so much, that you end up with sleep deprivation. It's very difficult deciding what to write, because no matter how much you have done, you can guarantee that after you've sent it, you be thinking "oh no, should I have wrote this ? or, man, I forgot to include this" beating yourself up, but all you can do is your best, and sit bit and wait, and then deal with each step as it comes.

Hope you manage to get a few ZZZZZZZ's soon.

Regards, Chris.