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Original poster

PIP Mandatory Review

129 replies

swallowedAfly · 14/11/2023 10:18

I've been awarded the lower rate of mobility and nothing for daily living. The report has flagrant lies ie X eats every day when it is clearly audible on the recordings I had to chase for weeks that when I asked I hadn't eaten for nearly 3 days. The assessor felt the need to report to safeguarding that my son was a young carer because of the levels of support he had to give in daily living yet she awarded zero points which I find bizarre. She's put zero for toilet stuff despite knowing and repeatedly being told and empathising (again clearly audible) that I had to use incontinence pads and have spare clothing etc.

I feel like it's a mistake like she hasn't listened to the second recording or pressed send without filling in all the fields or something but I know in reality they do just lie and try to award nothing. I had nearly 3 hours on the phone and had to take a break.

I've only given a couple of examples here to give you an idea of how contradictory things are.

I'm currently doing my mandatory review application.

I'm wondering is mandatory review just a tick box exercise that never achieves anything but is meant to discourage you further or do decisions ever/often get changed based on them?

I've made clear on the form that if it is turned down I will be going to appeal and will seek support and collate further evidence etc so they know I'm not going to be bullied out of continuing.

I confess I've been a bit devastated by the whole thing. I was incredibly distressed in the lead up to the call, had put off applying for a long time because of how humiliating the whole process seemed to be and I had to reveal deeply personal things during the process and be reported to doctors and ss because she classified my son as a young carer.

A friend has reassured me that the fact they've awarded anything ie. the lower rate for mobility (which I actually thought I had less chance of getting than the daily living amount which I without doubt even to the meanest interpretation qualify for the lower amount of and I would argue possibly even the higher rate but I would have accepted the lower) means I have a strong claim as they try to get away with awarding nothing. I just can't comprehend how she has awarded zero points of all of that side.

Any advice on whether mandatory review ever achieves anything or I should just start preparing myself for appeal, support and encouragement or anything else is welcome. I have found it hellish so far.

OP posts:
Claire77777 · 03/12/2023 13:23

Hi
Thank you for your reply :)
that was my thinking re mobility which (if awarded) I’d be quite shocked at. In all honesty, I didn’t have any hopes or expectations, though thinking about how my hearing affects me on a daily basis I may have scored decent scores on the daily living component re not being able to attend medical appointments etc alone due to not being able to hear (profound hearing loss) and the way it affects me socially is significant. If it is just mobility then I’m assuming you have a right to able and see the report? I haven’t sent the report yet 🤔

AnotherEmma · 03/12/2023 13:30

You will get a decision letter telling you exactly what you have been awarded (component and rate) and how many points you got for each of the criteria. It also has a summary of the reasons for the decision.

Assuming that you had an assessment (did someone do it with you to help with communication?) you can also request a copy of the full assessment report. This can be helpful if you're not happy with the decision and want to challenge it.

Original poster
swallowedAfly · 05/12/2023 11:11

You get a decision letter with the report attached. The first payment is the backdated part up to what is going to be your payment date. Looks like standard mobility only which is what I was awarded too even though my dl needs were stronger

OP posts:
Claire77777 · 06/12/2023 22:34

Thank you :)
my needs really are more significant is the daily living side of things. Will see what the report states. Is there an opportunity to challenge the decision?
they have called me a few times when at work but also stated not to call me re deafness. It’s such hard work with them!

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 09:29

@swallowedAfly did you send much hospital letters for evidence? I sent mine nearly 3 weeks ago. And worried i wont get it :( xx

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 09:33

Ive applied , ive never done anything like this. Have struggled for 3.5 years, and ive had had enough. Ive hd to take 6 weeks off work. And still feeling ill. Cant cope with with struggling and cant work anymore my body wont let me.
its been 3 weeks , how long does it normally take? Will the ring my gp and work before booking the the assessment? Im so new to this sorry for the questions.

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 09:36

@Claire77777 hi, how come they were ringinf you at work? Do they just ring you out of the blue ? X

caringcarer · 10/12/2023 09:43

Not eating for 3 days because of stress about your telephone appointment will not get you any points, it would need to be not being able to get yourself food for over half the time permanently. I think a lot of people wear incontinence pads but if they can change them themselves it would not count to get them points. You'd get points if you regularly couldn't change your own incontinence pads for some reason. You really need evidence for everything you say or they don't believe you.

Kitkat1523 · 10/12/2023 10:36

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 09:36

@Claire77777 hi, how come they were ringinf you at work? Do they just ring you out of the blue ? X

Not for a planned assessment…but yes they can and do ring out of the blue so to speak…,for clarification of certain things

Babyroobs · 10/12/2023 10:43

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 09:33

Ive applied , ive never done anything like this. Have struggled for 3.5 years, and ive had had enough. Ive hd to take 6 weeks off work. And still feeling ill. Cant cope with with struggling and cant work anymore my body wont let me.
its been 3 weeks , how long does it normally take? Will the ring my gp and work before booking the the assessment? Im so new to this sorry for the questions.

Pip is a long term disability benefit rather than a benefit because you can't work. If it's an earnings replacement benefit you are looking for then you need to claim ESA or UC depending on the circumstances.
They will just send you an appointment for a PIP assessment. They won't consult your GP or work on this.

Claire77777 · 10/12/2023 12:03

Hi,
they said they were calling for feedback after the assessment and they also called to arrange my telephone consultation. I explain I couldn’t hear her and that ringing wasn’t helpful as I’m deaf. They cut the call short and arranged a video assessment for me to be fair.

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 12:31

@Kitkat1523 thankyou for your reply :) i see. I thought it was for the assessment. X

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 12:33

@Babyroobs thankyiu for replying :)
ok i see, i cant work more due to my chronic illnesses. I can just manage 18 hrs a week.
oo i thought for some reason they will need to soeak to your gp and work for some reason. I sent all my letters from consultants. I hope they get back to me soon. X

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 12:34

@Claire77777 thankyou for your reply, ok i see. Im glad you got it in the end :)
hoping i hear from them soon x

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 12:35

@Babyroobs i also thought people who work can get PIP ? Didnt realise you arent aboe to work at all yo get it . This is all new to me, thankyou for letting me know x

Babyroobs · 10/12/2023 13:04

Starrrz · 10/12/2023 12:35

@Babyroobs i also thought people who work can get PIP ? Didnt realise you arent aboe to work at all yo get it . This is all new to me, thankyou for letting me know x

Yes that's correct people can work and get PIP.

Claire77777 · 11/12/2023 10:31

Well I have to say, I have read my PIP outcome letter and the report and it absolutely does not represent what I said or my condition. I’m not actually upset, I’m angry. It’s so disrespectful to not listen to people. The irony is that I’m deaf and probably take more attention to people that was afforded to me. So many obvious sections missed out-scoring zero. I will be challenging this. And I’ll challenge it every week if I have too out of principle.

Starrrz · 11/12/2023 12:10

@Claire77777 im so sorry to hear this :( day to day must be very hard for you. Please fight it until u get it. How do they think its ok to chnage everything x

AnotherEmma · 11/12/2023 13:14

Claire77777 · 11/12/2023 10:31

Well I have to say, I have read my PIP outcome letter and the report and it absolutely does not represent what I said or my condition. I’m not actually upset, I’m angry. It’s so disrespectful to not listen to people. The irony is that I’m deaf and probably take more attention to people that was afforded to me. So many obvious sections missed out-scoring zero. I will be challenging this. And I’ll challenge it every week if I have too out of principle.

Sorry to hear that. So what did they award; was it standard rate mobility and no daily living component??

Best of luck with your MR request. Do contact your local citizens advice if you would like help/advice on it.

Claire77777 · 11/12/2023 13:34

That’s correct yes. It states things like I don’t need any help managing the condition. I totally need help to attend appointments, socialise as I just can’t hear or cope with certain acoustics . Work set on a PA in my last role and had to make adjustments . They said ‘I’d’ said that I was ok. Erm
no. So frustrating

NotInTheMoodForIt · 11/12/2023 17:39

PIP can contact your gp. They contacted mine but I only found out they had by chance. I've since found out they have contacted the GP of a few people.

I've tried to claim twice, once in 2022 ans then summer this year and both times the forms overwhelmed me and I never returned then. In 2022 my claim just went no further, but in 2023 I had a text letting me know they hadn't got my forms, but a few weeks later was sent anither saying a healthcare professional was looking at my evidence and not long after that I given a date with a video assessment.

I tried to get copies of medical reports from my gp because I was totally expecting it all to be a mistake as I hadn't returned my forms but when I rang the gp I was told PIP had already been in touch with them and they'd been sent everything. I'm really pleased they did because it took a lot of pressure off me.

I was awarded enhanced for daily and mobility.

Starrrz · 11/12/2023 19:30

@NotInTheMoodForIt thats amazing! Im so happy for you:) do you work also?

i havent had any date yet saying about a video or phone call appt.
its been 3 weeks, they said they are handling my forms etc.
i hope my dr gives them all the info, i mean i sent lots.
did you find the assessment ok? X

Original poster
swallowedAfly · 17/12/2023 12:20

I don’t think that many people do have bowel incontinence and 2/3 of their bowel missing actually.

Yes many people use pads for urine leakage.

my food issues are not being able to prepare a simple meal for over half the time and needing reminding and prompting etc. These are things covered by pip descriptions and points. You even get a point if you can only use a microwave. Not sure why some people are so discouraging unless misinformed

OP posts:
Original poster
swallowedAfly · 17/12/2023 12:21

Feels like talking to capita sometimes

OP posts: