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Hi DarrenL

You do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name. But you might need a ‘deed poll’ to apply for or to change official documents like your passport or driving licence. www.gov.uk/change-name-deed-poll.

You should not be asked for a reassessment due to a name change.

Gary

Hi Violet

The first thing you need to do is get a copy of the assessors report called a PA4

When you have the assessors report, you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.

I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in.

Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said, remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.

Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation.

Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

For the CRMR1 form to initiate your MR; www.gov.uk/government/publications/chall...ork-and-pensions-dwp

We would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation; advicelocal.uk as you have stated in your post, if you apply for a MR you can loose what you have already been awarded.

Gary

Hi jon

From your post I do not know if you are talking about PIP or WCA, so I have added links to both.

If you have a look at our PIP/ESA guides at the link below you will see that there are a number of pages which include advice on telephone assessments. Yes, a lot of the questions are those that would have been asked if you had a face to face assessment.
benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

help-for-claimants/esa1

- Write yourself a bullet point list of any particular points you want to get over, so you have it by you during the assessment, tick them as you cover them during the assessment.
- have paper and pens to hand to make any notes such as the assessors name, date, time
- Record the assessment surreptitiously. (Never trust that there won't be a problem with their equipment!)
- make sure you are seated in a comfortable chair, you are going to be there a while and at table to make notes
- if you can't hear or understand what is being asked then ask them to repeat the question
- don’t let the assessor rush you and get you flustered.
- don't forget to have a glass of water if needed so you don't get a dry throat and lose your voice!

For PIP, don't forget to contact DWP 48 hours after the assessment and ask for a copy of the assessors report called PA4.
For WCA, contact DWP once you receive your decision letter and ask for a copy of the assessors report called a UC85.

Gary

Hi Tinkerbell,
If you continue with the existing claim then you will get backdated benefit from the date of claim if you succeed at MR or appeal. This could easily amount to a few hundred pounds so is worth having!
As BIS said, if you have been refused on the initial claim, it is highly likely that you will be refused for the second claim. And, almost certainly you will have to have another assessment.
If the new claim succeeds brnegit can only start from the date of claim.
I often advise people who ask for help when they have failed at their claim. A chat with them normally reveals that they have forgotten to mention things, or haven't been clear enough. When I write the MR letter I explain that the claimant has now sought specialist advice and hence the differing information.
Do you have the assessment report for ESA? If not it might be helpful. Compare the two reports. Now (as DWP will clearly tell you,) PIP and ESA aren't the same benefits so the reports will of course say different things. Hmmmm true, but there is a lot of crossover. If for example the ESA report confirms you have leg pain and can only walk 50m, that is clearly relevant to PIP mobility, more so if the PIP report says you have no walking problems. Similarly if ESA acknowledge you lack grip and can't use a pen etc, or maybe can't lift something, that shows you have limited arm movements which could link with problems with washing or dressing etc etc. Look for similar activities or discrepancies in movements, ability to speak or socialise etc.
If there are relevant comparisons/discrepancies, then given that you have had recent reports for both benefits, you have a strong argument to say that the PIP report is inadequate.
On a spare page write down 4 or 5 major criticisms of the PIP report. Formulate these into bullet points. Give examples. The discrepancies between reports could be a further bullet point.
Have another look at the Guides and decide what level of points you should get. Remember that you need to do activities safely, repeatedly, in a reasonable time and to an acceptable standard. All 4 conditions must be satisfied.
Repeatedly means across the whole day as many times as reasonably required.
Pain and breathlessness could comprise not being acceptable so bear this in mind too.
(The 4 criteria is set down in PIP Regs 2013 Reg4(2A) )

In addition remember that you need to consider what happens for the majority of days. A few better days won't preclude benefit. If 2 or more descriptors within the same set apply equally, then the higher value is the correct one. (Reg 7)
Now you can start your letter. Head it with your name and NI number (put this on all pages ) and the PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Letter.
I normally write a couple of paragraphs about general health background, diagnosis etc
Then you can write your bullet points and examples.
Then go through each descriptor agreeing/disagreeing with the points awarded. Say why. You can now make more specific criticism of the PIP report and contrast with the ESA if relevant. Contrast also with you own medical report. If the assessor says you take a basic medicine or low dose- check this. (Google the pills on NHS website and normal doses will be apparent.) If you can't take other meds say so.
Include the correct points taking into account Regs 4(2A) & 7.
You normally have a month, but if you need longer, as long as you can explain this as a reasonable excuse it is very unlikely that DWP will refuse.
Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.
LL26

I have recently changed my forename and surname to take those of my nans maiden name and my grandads middle name. My parents were really distant as a child and my nan bought me up. So changed name to honour her before I got to old.

I’ve sent letters to the DWP by recorded post to inform them of the change. I sent them by recorded.

But, since sending them I’ve been full of dread and anxiety that I get the dreaded reassessment letters.

I have a ten year ongoing award for PIP from last June at the enhanced rate for both. I have a Motability car. I am in the ESA CB support group.

But my mind is working overtime at a simple name change with the DWP.

Anybody else done a name change and it’s just gone through ok? I am fretting.

Would they ask me for reassessment do you think?

I am profoundly Deaf and dread communicating with DWP as it’s so long winded not being able to talk to them to explain.

Thanks everyone

Hi Arthritic Annie, for a paper assessment the report is called a PA3. But a few people have been told there was no report done after a paper assessment. I think those may be where the decision is taken by a Decision Maker without sending it out for assessment to IAS/Capita. Well worth trying to get it, if you hit a difficult call handler who says you can't have it, just try again.
best, Denby

Hi Tinkerbell

If you haven't already - you need to ask for a copy of the assessment report - it's called a PA4 (if you had a telephone assessment) It normally takes 7 - 10 days to arrive. If you had a paper-based assessment, it is called a PA5, but we are finding that a lot of people are being told a report hasn't been written. You get the report from the DWP.

If you do get hold of a report it should give more reasons why you didn't score any points. I'm assuming that the Mandatory Reconsideration didn't tell you very much. There is no point in appealing or making a new claim if you don't understand why they think you do not meet the criteria for a PIP award.

If you put in an Appeal which you need to do within four weeks of the date on the MR decision letter. An appeal can take up to a year to be heard.

If you decide to put in a new claim - they will be aware that you have been turned down for one - so you will have to consider what you need to tell them this time to increase your chances of success. I don't know whether you used our guide for your previous application.

BIS

Hi

I have recently applied for both PIP and ESA , after telephone assessments for both I scored 6 points for PIP and Zero points for ESA.

I appealed the ESA and was placed in the support group.

However I have just received the MR decision letter and this has not resulted in an award.

As there is no award for PIP would it be better to start a new claim or would you advise that I appeal the decision? if so how long does this process usually take

I don’t know how much fight I have left!

I am receipt of the Higher rate PIP on both catergories and thanks in part to this site got my award backdated to December 2022. I was on LCW from 2021 and without any prompting from an appointment at the Jobcentre I suggested why it was I was not automatically put on or invited to apply for LCWRA. I'm aware that they are slightly different but would suggest with a PIP Higher Award; 90% would qualify for LCWRA.
Now I filled the UC50 online for expediency back in March 2024 . They told me that it was received but was then deleted. I have asked them to reinstate my claim to at least then when they deleted my claim . No explanation.
My question is this .
As my PIP Higher Award was backdated to Dec 2022 and I was awarded LCW since 2021 can I not request LCWRA to also be backdated to either of these dates. Once my assessment is rejected along with the mandatory consideration and finally going to a tribunal again and winning my case.

Hi Solo,

You are not the only one who feels like this - there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions who are in the same boat, and will stick by you and help you with understanding and feelings of similar situations.

Chris

UPDATE.....

Just received a text this morning to say:

Your PIP review is complete. You should receive your decision letter in 2 weeks. Once you receive your letter, contact us if you have any questions. Do not call before you get the letter as we will not be able to tell you the decision. Please remember to contact us if your circumstances change.

I'm sick to the bottom of my stomach with worry.....🙈 I assuming this is a paper assessment as I havnt been assessed in any other format. ( quite a few sleepless nights ahead waiting on this....)

Anyway my main question is can I ring them for the assessors report now or would they have it yet?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Also hope the timeline update might be useful to someone.

Many thanks, Arthritic Annie....🩷

Hi stars

You can ask for a copy of the assessors report called a PA4, 48 hrs after your assessment.

To apply for a mandatory reconsideration in time you need to complete your MR within one month of the decision date. You do have up to 13 months to do a MR, but you do need a good cause as to why you are late.

Gary

Good Evening,

I had had the below text from PIP last Thursday.

Good Evening, I have had the below text last Thursday.

Hello from Independent Assessment Services. We conduct Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions DWP. This is for information purposes only, to let you know that we are managing your PIP assessment. We will look at the available evidence and will contact you with an appointment if we need to have a consultation with you. You can find information about the service we provide at www.mypipassessment.co.uk. You do not need to contact us.


I have not got an appointment date yet but I was wondering when I have had my appointment for my PIP Assessment how soon should I be asking for a copy of my Assessment Report, what is the name of the Assessment Report that I am asking for and how long have I got to challenge the report if I am not happy with what the Assessment Report says.

Thankyou


Stars

Lc

I am very sorry to hear you or another person has such a diagnosis.

Forgive me if this sounds cruel.

So, to be awarded LCWRA or the higher rate of PIP Daily living, the claimant must have a diagnosis where death is reasonably expected within one year, a doctor will need to confirm this.

For LCWRA there are two options; New Style ESA and UC. Both can be claimed but the NS ESA will be deducted from the UC £ for £, the advantage is that the ESA is paid every fortnight and UC is monthly.

New Style ESA is a Contribution Based benefit so the person will need to have worked throughout the two Tax Years 2021-22 and 2022-23. Contribution benefits are not affected by savings and income with the exception of pension income where there can be a deduction. Working is restricted to less than 16 hours a week and a claim cannot be made while Statutory Sick Pay is in payment.

UC is a means tested benefit so income, savings and assets can reduce the amount being paid but there are earning limits before these deductions take place. There is no restriction on work hours once an award has been made but the person should not be working for 16 or more hours before this happens.

Both benefits use a review process called the Work Capability Assessment, there should be no need for this with the SR1 but if issued then the form, an ESA50 or UC50 has a section that covers radio or chemo therapy which a doctor can complete and also awards LCWRA.

I mentioned PIP at the beginning, it is not a work related benefit but is rather intended to help with the extra costs that the claimant's conditions may cause. There is a Mobility component which is not awarded automatically but if the person's ability to walk or go out is affected then it could be awarded following an assessment.

There are guides to ESA/UC and PIP in the member's area, follow the Guides link at the top of the page.

If you have more questions then reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

I will look into this. I did phone pip and asked them for a copy of the report, which should arrive within 10 days. I am hopeful that this will give me a chance to explain to the DM before she makes her decision.
I find I get extremely stressed in these situations and then can’t sleep, which in turn affects my disability.

Sd

Are you talking about an appeal with the Tribunal Service?

Assuming you are then you can make a Late appeal as long as you provide your reasons for the delay and they are accepted by the TS and the DWP.

I'm afraid only you can make a decision on whether to appeal or not.

Have you requested a copy of the Assessment report? It's a PA4 if you had an interactive assessment or PA3 if everything was done on the papers.

What were the Decision Maker's reasons for not scoring you?

Gordon

Hi!

6 weeks ago today, I got the text from the DWP that they have all the information they need for their review and that I will hear from them, but it may take 6 weeks.

I haven't heard from them yet.

Assuming I don't hear from them by the end of the day, how should I proceed? I'm assuming call the normal PIP line, try and get through, and then ask for an update, and send a letter afterwards confirming whatever is discussed on the phone?

I'm mostly asking in case there's anything obvious I'm missing or any options other than waiting on the phone for an hour! Especially as my NI Number has some privacy things attached to it meaning that when I call they generally can't talk to me straight away, but instead have to file a specific form to gain access to my records and then call me back a few days later.

Also - I'm anticipating an increase in award based on the assessment report (hopefully I'm not part of the 3% where the DWP disagree with the report!). Will this be backdated to the beginning of these past 6 weeks, or to today/tomorrow, or not at all? I know generally for a review which isn't a change of circumstances there isn't backdating, but given it'll have exceeded the period they told me it would take, I'm curious as to whether there are any norms to when payments are dated from.

Thanks.

Hi BirtyB,

I suffer with social and travel anxiety on top of other things and have done 3 paper assessments in the past with a follow up telephone assessment, and whilst I had to take it to HMCTS everytime, I have won all 3 - so I think as long as what you say on the paper is similar to whats in our guides, then you should find that it shouldn't make any difference to the success of your appeal.

Chris.

Don't let them kid you that you can't appeal against any mistakes they make - they did a dreadful job with my review so I'm appealing, doctor and consultant have checked through my NHS notes and will back me. Guides and support here so you are not alone xx You may have done better than you think, fingers crossed.

I really do not want to be here but...

I am considering making a claim for PIP. I have fibromyalgia diagnosed just short of 20 years and am in the LCWRA group on UC. I am also now waiting assessment (in my 50th year) for ADHD as it turns out a lot of my "non medical" difficulties in life match up with the descriptors on that.

I am very concerned that I simply do not have a lot of evidence. In the past 5 months I have seen my GP and been referred to 2 other services and been in a car accident right in the middle of referrals just to confuse things further. The net outcome is

• ; Neurology with both CAT and MRI scans can find nothing significant, although there is damage from when I was a teenager, plus their report mentions me walking a mile and a half which prior to the car accident I managed once every 1 to 2 weeks and which took me between 80 and 120 minutes meaning a speed of 1 mph or 100 meters in 3.7 minutes. I can no longer manage that distance which was always in pain anyway but the distance itself suggests I am able to do it.
• Physiotherapy referral 1 with xrays for long term damage to my right knee finds osteoarthritis which has progressed since 2009 and offset between tiba and femur. I have pain and some weakness in my right knee and leg, been given exercises no referral to surgical.
• Physiotherapy referral 2 for whiplash, given exercises which reduced initial acute problems in back and shoulders and discharged. However have been left with residual issues and pains in shoulders did not have before almost certainly due to interaction of whiplash and fibro

I am a very private individual when it comes to my problems - even my family do not realise how much I struggle. Prior to seeking the referrals from the GP I had not seen a doctor since before Covid. I try to stay as active as I can and am likely to do things and push through even though I am in severe pain. I just have no way of evidencing or proving this. The GP can say what was covered in consultations but all the referrals and tests come back as "nothing to worry about" or "some abnormalities but can still function"

With such sparse evidence and my preference to grit my teeth and get through it somehow I worry I am just going to let myself in for a whole lot of stress and anxiety, being called a liar all for nothing. How are we supposed to provide evidence of something that does not show in tests?