PIP taken from me after re assessment with physical ailment

Hi Donagan

Welcome to the forum. You can find out where to find information about the site here benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq


I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. I was wondering why you suddenly had a review- but I assume they thought you were telling them about a new condition that you wanted them to look at when you told them about the hospital stay. The DWP will not take any notice of a new condition until you have had it for three months prior to telling them and a certainty that it will continue for nine months afterwards. So I assume that's why they ignored the IBD. The Clostridium Difficile is treated with antibiotics, so they wouldn't see it as a long-term issue. That's why they then looked at the award you had in place. This is normal practice, and any claimant is looked at in terms of all their issues as they are at the time of the assessment.

Now you should have had an explanation of why they think your depression and anxiety have improved in such a short space of time. Have you had a copy of the assessment report? It's a PA4. You can ring and ask for it, and it normally takes 10 days to arrive. If you need any more time to get in your Mandatory Assessment - ask for it. They didn't use to give any additional time, but they often do. It's useful to see the report so you understand what you're fighting against. You can actually ring the DWP and ask for a call back from a case manager with an explanation of why they think your health has improved.

I can't say what your chances are. The majority of mandatory reconsideration remains the same - but everyone who wins it - will say it was worth the trouble.

BIS

Hi Donagon

I can't say for certain - but I'm pretty sure that they would have ignored your IBD or thought it was a short-term issue. But the way for you to find out is to get hold of the PA4 - which should tell you what the assessor was thinking and make it easier to put in for an MR.

BIS