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Decision Letter , NO AWARD
- Tired MUM
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Didn't apply for ESA, just PIP.
Had phone consultation on 30th August , several times I broke down , apologising for crying, had to take time to try and breath and calm myself. It completely wiped me out. Crying again now just thinking about it,
Decision letter arrived No Award. Scored 2 points on washing and bathing, nothing on mobility.
The letter sounds like it's describing a fit healthy happy person, says I have no issues, says because inflammatory arthritis is suspected not yet confirmed I therefore don't have any problems. I thought it was how it affected you not if you had definitive diagnosis. The letter says the low does of co-codamol only, PX'd by GP shows the "claimed level of severe restriction is inconsistent with the level pain medication and clinical evidence" loads more stuff mentioned that is not right, it's so far from the actual truth it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic. So guess I'll have to ask for copy of report and go from there. Feel absolutely gutted.
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- BIS
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I'm sorry that you find yourself in this position.
In order to qualify for PIP you have to have had the condition for a minimum of 3 months before you apply and an understanding that it will continue for at least another 9 months afterwards. If a claimant has no firm diagnosis then it is hard to quantify the difficulties they have. Some claimants may have unconfirmed conditions, alongside confirmed ones and therefore they are awarded PIP. I don't know your situation and whether you spoke just about inflammatory arthritis or other conditions as well.
You sound as if you want to put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Gary one of our mods gives this advice:
When you have the assessors 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.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' 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, remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.
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.
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; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
For the CRMR1 form to initiate your MR; www.gov.uk/government/publications/chall...ork-and-pensions-dwp
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Hope this helps
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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Can you do an MR, then if necessary appeal, and get the diagnosis confirmed in the lengthy wait meantime? That should help you win, if the diagnosis is consistent with the symptoms affecting your DL and MOB that you put on the form.
Best, Denby
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- Tired MUM
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- Blueberry Owl
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Sorry to hear of your experience.
I’m no expert in this at all but definitely look at following the advice already given.
I would suggest you take a step back slightly as it’s the weekend and nothing can change till Monday.
On Monday apply for an MR and this will be the start of trying to change your outcome.
Then look at your claim and deal with it in bite size manageable pieces. Concentrate on where you have missed out or been marked down on and where you think it is wrong.
Don’t waste time on things you would not score for or would not score higher.
Take a break from it from time to time but being mindful of deadlines.
Difficult one next - take the emotion out of it. It will cloud your thinking. Pretend you are looking at someone else’s and not yours. Then pick it apart as needed.
It’s an awful system and if you get really stuck contact a local advice agency I.e Citizens Advice who may be able to help also.
Don’t waste energy on things you would not score on or score higher.
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- Tired MUM
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