PIP Decision made and payments stopped / reduced without decision letter

Hi Bayley

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. Clearly, a mistake was made in not sending you a decision letter, and you can file a formal complaint about this. You can do that before the case manager contacts you (if they do) or wait until you receive the decision letter in the post. Be warned - the DWP rarely admits they have made a mistake, and if you get an apology, it probably won't be the type you are hoping for.

Regarding the advice you were given, you can't apply for a mandatory reconsideration without the decision letter.
You say that they should have considered the errors in the assessment. Unfortunately, you don't know that they didn't. Claimants often point out errors, and the DWP ignores them more often than not, or they will tell claimants to go back to the assessment service provider who did the assessment and complain directly to them.

So what should you do next? As your money has been reduced, your biggest fight is to overturn that decision. You could go through the DWP complaints procedure for the lack of a decision letter (and the poor report). Sometimes they act quickly and I think if you do, you should say that having your money cut without warning has been shocking. You can find out how to do this www.gov.uk/government/organisations/depa...complaints-procedure.

As stated above you could also complain directly to the provider which is what the DWP might tell you to do. You will still left with reduced payments if you complain to the DWP or the assessment provider.

However, I would also start the MR process as soon as possible. You have been told the case manager will contact you - I wouldn't give them more than four working days to do so. If you haven't heard from the DWP I would ring again and ask to be put through to the case manager. You need that letter. Make sure that you keep a record of any call you have and who you spoke to.

You can already start writing your MR as you have issues with the report. Remember to focus on all areas where they have scored you lower than you were expecting. Say why you think they are incorrect/mistaken, what you should have scored and the evidence you provided for them (either paper-evidence or what you said at the assessment).

Come back if you have any further questions and we will try and help/

BIS

Hi Bayley

I am glad that you have the letter. Yes, you absolutely should ask for an extension. The rule is that there are no extensions at the MR stage - but I know it's a rule that has been broken on occasion - so do try. There's no reason why you should be discriminated against and have less time than other claimants would have if the letter had been posted within a day of it being written.

BIS