PIP just got refused.

Hi Adrian

It must have come as a shock, the first thing you need to do is contact the DWP and ask for a copy of the assessors report called a PA4.

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, don't use grey words such as 'likely to worsen over time', when completing a form it should be in black and white.

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.

Gary

Hi Adrian

I am sorry this has happened to you. In my personal opinion the DWP and the assessment services they use have limited knowledge of conditions such as Autism and you are not alone as being told you can manage because you don't have a care plan. They hide behind this while knowing that there are limited services across the country and therefore there are thousands of people who do not have a care plan. And even if you had one, it would not guarantee that you were receiving the help that it might say you need.

Now I know this has come as a horrible shock to you, but one thing I want you to try and do. You know you are not a fake or a liar, and you have to try to dismiss this from your mind. Someone who knows nothing about you has just given their opinion and scored you zero and every point, and it's an opinion you vehemently disagree with. But they are a stranger, and it's unfortunate, but please don't waste your time or your energy being upset by someone you don't know. You don't have control over what they say, but you can try and control what you feel. You have every right to be angry and upset, but don't make yourself ill over this. You need that energy to concentrate on building up your mental health or fighting back. I know you currently feel you can't and I'm not saying you should. You have to do what feels right for you - but I implore you to use whatever energy you have on something positive for you and not on some idiot that doesn't know you. I know there are money issues and it's not easy to put those aside - but the only way you can overcome that is to fight back. Is it worth it? Only you can decide that. Will you win? I don't know - but plenty of people have overturned decisions even if they have to go on to an Appeal. I know you said you couldn't do an appeal because you couldn't attend -- but you can always request a paper-based decision.

But back to your current situation. Ring and ask for a copy of the PA4. I know you got cut off, and it's aggravating, but you need that report. Although you are supposed to put in your Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision letter. You can do it now, or you can put in a late submission in which case you have 13 months from the date on your decision letter. Be aware you have to explain why you are sending in a late submission and you tell them you could not get hold of the PA4 report. You need to know now that Mandatory Reconsiderations are not easy to win. Obnly 27% are successful - so if you do it and you don't win - do not take it personally. At Appeal it is a more positive story because over 67% are successful and that's because they have a doctor and a disability expert on the panel..

I assume that although you asked for your assessment to be recorded you didn't take your own recording? We always ask people to record themselves if they can because it is all too easy for the assessors to say something went wrong with the recording.\

When you filled out your form, did you use our guides to complete it? You said you feel as if you explained a lot about your condition and I wonder why the assessor got the wrong idea of your condition. It could just be wilful ignorance on their part, in which case you need to say that they were mistaken and misunderstood. It sounds like the assessor was fixated on no care plan, but have you had any involvement with services? It doesn't matter whether the answer is yes or no; you just need to explain why and point to the evidence of why you require help, even if it's not currently on offer.

I will stop for you. Your first decision is do you want to fight this? No pressure - it's entirely up to you. If you decide to go ahead and you have some questions - come back and ask and we will try to help where we can

BIS