WWYD- Pip situation

[Orangesandlemons77]

I've just had a review of PIP- been on the enhanced daily living rate since 2014, and they have awarded it again BUT reduced my 4 point scores to 2 and given it for 18 months (last award length was 6 yrs)

I have decided to go down the MR/appeal route in order to possible get the 4 point scores back and a longer award length based on my previous scores, but now am having some doubts.

They could try and reduce my points, maybe I should just leave it and appeal it in 18 months (well they have added on a year and if the backlogs are still as long it could be an extra year I suppose)

What would you do in this situation? I have long term health problems but they seem to think it might improve with CBT (which have had before and didn't really help)

They have given me exactly 12 points this time so any change would reduce my award, even by a point. Think I had 17 points previously, had 4 points in taking nutrition and preparing food, which have both been reduced.

I suppose I may not need to appeal after thus award ends but it would be like as the assessors tend to base their report on the previous one. Maybe I am overthinking it all but with the proposed cuts it is more of a worry.

It’s a tricky one and I think a little damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
I am not super knowledgeable about PIP. My fella gets it but on an indefinite/ 10 year award.

on the one hand I think success rate of appeals is relatively high. On the other hand I’m a scaredy cat and I would worry they would dock points on appeal. I also know what you mean about later assessments going off the most recent report.

we nearly had to stop my fella’s assessment (by phone) because he couldn’t give his name. In the end she turned a blind eye to me whispering it to him. I answered most of the questions for him. But she deemed him able to communicate fine with people! I felt like appealing because that’s so blatantly wrong. But in the end I didn’t want to rock the boat. I do worry he will never regain those points wrongly docked.

I don’t think I’m helping but hopefully bumped for you.

It's ok it's a tricky one. I'm thinking I will leave the MR for now and then in future appeal if needs be. the paperwork should include the previous times I was awarded the 4 points anyway.

I don't know much about PIP specifically but in your situation I would leave it and only appeal if it gets downgraded next time.

It's too high a risk that they might reduce it. I would agree to the CBT as who knows, it may help this time. And if it doesn't at least you have shown willing.

Do you have 4 points or more in any of the other categories? I’d just be wary of the impact of the proposed PIP changes which impact the less than 4 points scorers. Personally if you previously had 4 points and feel you can justify 4 I’d appeal. Most MR Reviews go in favour of the PIP claimant.

I was previously given 4 points in the socialising section, as well as the others mention, by a previous appeal but this was replaced by 2 points for prompting later by DWP.

This most recent review I have 6 lots of 2 point scores. I can't help but think it is something to do with the changes but maybe not. It seems timely for them to do this now.

The other problem is that I remember from the past, the Appeals focus on the 12 points and after that is reached do not consider other points, so I might get to the appeal stage and they say, well you have the enhanced rate.

I called them and cancelled the MR. They asked why and I explained the stress basically. Oh well- done now.

I changed my mind and put in an MR- will see what happens. I fully expect no changes there, but will take it to appeal to see what happens.

Last time, they apologised at that stage and found me a lot more points and a longer award.

Good luck!