Pip - assessment report can decision maker change

[sexinthecity55]

I received my report today and recommendations from report are standard living and no mobility. I agree with the mobility but think I should have higher rate living - I am 2 points of.

How likely is it that the decision maker will change. The report contradicts themselves and it says things and then still doesn't award the correct points

The report can absolutely be changed by the decision maker.
When you receive your decision, you can go to a tribunal if you disagree with the decision.

The assessor's report is just one piece of evidence the Decision Maker will see.

Did you send reports from your own side (doctor, physio or whatever)?

Is there a specific Descriptor you think they've got wrong?

DWP assessor's reports are notoriously flaky.

I had a lady see me about one. She was a recipient of a heart/lung transplant and just about managed, with her sister's help, the short walk from disabled parking to my office. Apparently she could bend stretch, fetch carry etc like anybody else.

This ESA/UC so fitness to work but they're a standing joke in the advice sector.

This ESA/UC so fitness to work but they're a standing joke in the advice sector.

Absolutely. They're a copy and paste job in almost every case.

My team have an informal contest to find the most bonkers thing written in a PIP assessment report. Our favourite so far is the one where the applicant changed sex several times in the course of the assessment. Very gender fluid! Although we also quite liked the one where the client hadn't left the house for several years because of agoraphobia. She was able to get to the assessment centre, apparently, although why she would bother when the assessment was done over the phone none of us could understand.

I once had a case where a client was so unwell that she had her ESA assessment carried out at home. The assessor reported that the client was able to climb several steps to her front door, unaided. The client had a totally level path and a ramp to her front door, and used a wheelchair. And the assessor knew this, because she'd been to the sodding home!

Photos of said path and ramp formed part of the (successful) MR request.

I think it can depend on what they've said in the report and if they gave you less points than you claimed on the form. When I was assessed the assessor gave me 8 points for both living and mobility as they didn't give me any points for managing a therapy and put me in a category lower for how far I could walk. The assessor gave me them back on their decision so I got 10 for each category. I did wonder if they were more generous because it makes no difference to the amount of benefit I got as 10 points isn't enough for enhanced so I got standard on both.

Has anyone had similar experience so I had a text saying they had received report around two weeks ago, I called them for a copy of the report but was then told it had gone to audit and it was nothing t worry about . Now I just called today 3 weeks since I was told they had received copy of paper work and 2 wwwks since been told it went into audit .. a case manager spoken to me after been put on hold and I was told very rudely ! My application doesn’t add up and has requested info off my gp which was 6 days ago however my doctors haven’t replied to them or me and am beginning to worry , I ain’t sure why it would would go into audit and then apparently need more info after we have revived a copy of your notes text surely it would have been before this. The man on the phone who told me about this was very rude and even giggled when he explained it basily didn’t add up and needed more evidence .. so was it ever even in adit soo confusing …

Appeal it. They assessed my dad as being able to walk over 200m without aid despite severe COPD and severe leg injury following an accident simply because they heard a dog bark in the background during phone assessment, asked if it was my dad's dog and he said yes, and boom - he can magically walk the dog over 200m. It's the tiniest dog and walked by family and neighbours everyday. We won on appeal.

Don't just appeal it!! That's really poor advice. Why? Because in opening up an existing award (you have standard rate daily living) you are putting your existing award at risk. You can lose points at mandatory reconsideration or tribunal stage. So, you need to make sure you have a case for the additional points before proceeding.

What you are best off doing is seeking free advice from Welfare Rights (your local council may or may not have a service), Citizens Advice or Unemployed Workers Centre. They can look through and advise if it is worth your while in challenging. They can then support in writing the MR and representing you at tribunal (all free). Being 'only' two points off enhanced rate isn't a reason to challenge UNLESS the points awarded are incorrect in the first place. Unfortunately PIP it's such a complicated benefit it is best to seek professional advice rather than muddle through.

@bidon is right, sorry, we did it with citizen's advice support too.

Just realised it's a zombie thread coming back to it. @Zoemelia best to start your own new thread.

Hi first time claiming pip I applied sept 24 had assessment dec 18th had text saying got all information they need that was 1st this month very stressed don't know how it's going to turn out