Made a claim for pip but claim denied with no assessment

[claimingpip]

As title- they say firm was not returned despite sent via special delivery. They advised to resend along with a mandatory reconsideration which I did and today received the 'we've looked at your info again and your claim is denied'. Any idea what to do next, do I start a New claim and continue With this as an appeal?

Form not firm

Can you give some additional information to help us work out what may have gone wrong?

Have you seen how many points have been awarded for each of the categories within the Daily Living and Mobility components of PIP?(e.g. Preparing Food, Taking Nutrition, Washing and bathing etc)?

Is that that you just haven't reached the required amount of points in each to even achieve the standard rate of PIP?

The form looks really simple to complete but there is actually an art to it. Have you printed out a list of the activities, descriptors and points (I don't think DWP provide you with this)?
If not, here it is: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

Did you look at advice on completing it first such as from www.benefitsandwork.co.uk (which is a great resource and has very good information and downloads available to members. It costs about £20 per year but is definitely worth it).

Yes I had advice from benefits and work, I've completed forms for my nephew and brother before I became ill so think it was completed correctly. They didn't give me any points just denied the claim as they said it wasn't returned in time.

When I called them they said to resend the form which I did as I had a copy and to ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

The letter today again says the same that the claim is denied.

IME, PIP has inbuilt obstacles. You take a deep breath and you simply go to the next level. Ring them and ask why the mandatory reconsideration was denied and then, use that to put in for Tribunal. It is a wait but many claimants get awarded PIP when a tribunal panel see them and hear their evidence. Don't give up.

Does the MR just say that it has been denied due to being late? If so, I would not go to appeal, I would start a fresh claim as it will probably be a lot quicker.

Make sure you:

1. Obtain copy of Activity descriptors to see how the points are awarded.
2. Send copies of all consultation reports between hospital and your GP with your PIP claim.
3. Ask GP/Consultants to do a letter directly addressing each of the activity descriptors if they know about you well enough to do so. Send this/these off with the claim.
4. Don't over-estimate what you can and can't do out of pride. Be honest.
5. Don't worry about being repetitive in some of your answers. Especially where MH is involved, some of the reasons for why an activity cannot be undertaken will be the same. Repeat the info. Don't assume because you've written it for one activity, that they'll also consider that for the next. They'll just take each answer for each activity as a separate answer.
6. Don't worry about how long your claim is. The boxes to enter answers are just not big enough. Attach as many continuation pages as you think are necessary, just make sure they indicate the question number it is a continuation for and make sure you enter your name and NI number on each.

My relative had a review in March just before lockdown and the face-2-face was conducted at their home which they didn't really want. However, it was the best thing that could have happened. The assessor could see what they live like and it really aided their decision. The award has remained the same (enhanced Daily Living and Standard Mobility) and they will not be contacted again until 2030. Result! 10 years without having to worry about being reviewed again.

I had my assessment at home I was sick with nerves but the lady was wonderful and dh helped by telling him things I was too embarrassed to say but also hadn’t thought about, personal care bits, I got higher rates and am safe now for 10 years, due to eyes and arthritis which will get worse, go higher for you claim get as much evidence as possible.

@User87471643901065319 thank you
No it doesn't give a reason just says no I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say

If it’s been denied because it was late (and that’s what it sounds like) then I think the easiest thing would be to start a new claim.

Thank you @WindowSill - annoying as it was sent special delivery and they've had the the proof

Never send anything by special delivery as it dealt with differently by Royal Mail.