PIP turned down.

Hi,
I have been chronically ill since 1988 with CFS/ME. In 1998 I collapsed with a severe kidney infection which left me with a permanent kidney bleed. I been on a maintenance dose of antibiotic since then under a specialist care. I also have mitochondrial myopathy, Hypothyroidism, Depression, anxiety, Gluten intolerance, IBS, fybromyalgia.
I never claimed any disability benefit in 2003 when my first marriage broke down. From 2003 until 2007 I received full disability, when in 2007 I was lowered to lower rate care. I felt too ill to fit it.
After having a Capita assessment in my home in November 2014 I have lost my PIP claim. It was an unpleasant experience, I was not allowed to explain how my disabilities affect my daily life. It was a yes or no blanket answer situation. My mother was witness to this. I have prepared a letter asking for a mandatory reconsideration and also a letter in explaining the important things which were not allowed to be explained. I made notes as soon as the assessment was over. This assessor had no medical training and asked me what mitochondrial myopathy was?
I have also asked in my letter for Mandatory Reconsideration for my time to gather further evidence. I have a serious problem both my specialists have recently retired and I am now in the process of finding new ones for on going treatment and support. So I cannot ask them for recent evidence as I always have done. I have original letters which the DWP has seen in the past.
Will it help if my daughter explains how I have deteriorated over the years. She and my mother used to look after me before I married again in 2005.
Also a letter from my husband/carer?
Can I enlist the support of my local MP?
This is so stressful and making my illnesses so much worse.
Your advice is appreciated
Suzi

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

I am sorry to hear that your PIP Claim failed !!

Yes, you can submit letters of support from your daughter, husband/carer on how they have witnessed how your disabilities affect you on a day to day basis.

You can also try and gain support from your M.P. :

Contacting your MP

You could make a Subject Access Request for your G.P. medical records, these should include letters from any Consultants that you have seen, and reports made as a result of Tests, MRI's X- Rays etc, etc.

Requesting your medical records

Charging for medical records

For future reference, when you have your first appointment with a new Consultant, you can verbally request that you are copied in on any post-consultation letters that may be sent to your G.P.

There is no charge for this, and no forms to fill in.

In case you haven't already read the relevant guides, please see :

PIP MR/Appeals Guidance.

Mandatory Reconsiderations Explained

&

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsiderations.

Best of luck, and please keep us updated.

bro58

I have mitochondrial myopathy, ME/CFS (since 1988), Fybromyalgia, A kidney bleed and on permanent treatment for infections since 1998, Hypothyroidism, Depression, Anxiety, severe IBS, allergies, High blood pressure,and incontinence issues. I was assessed by capita in November and refused PIP after being on DLA since 2003, before that time I never claimed a penny even though I've been ill since 1998.

I recently produced more evidence about my conditions for a reconsideration and my husband wrote to them explaining all he does for me, letters from specialists, and even I involved our local MP all to no avail. They will not give me PIP for my disabilities. I feel ill and defeated.

I just can't face even the thought of going to court.

Is it possible to send you an attachment of the letter giving the details of the DWP's refusal for PIP? Either word or PDF. My personal details would be blanked.

Regards, Eliza.