PIP

HD

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Let's deal with the MR first and then your specific problems

You don not need to go into detail as to why you are requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration on the initial request, just make it clear that you will be sending in further information in support of your claim and the DWP should allow you at least four week to do this.

Our PIP MR & Appeal guide explains the process in more detail and has template letters that you can use to make the request. See

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

In addition to submitting the MR request you should also ask for a copy of the assessment report, you can do this by phone to the DWP office that dealt with the claim, we recommend that you follow the request up in writing.

The Decision Notice should have a high level view of why the Decision Maker came to their conclusions, typically where a claimant fails to score points for a Descriptor it is because the assessor, the DM or both have disagreed with their capabilities, so a starting point is to think about the ways that a layman might think you can deal with your toilet needs and look to answer those concerns, you may have already done so on your original form, but you need to repeat the exercise.

I notice that you have only referenced one Descriptor, sometimes claimants are limited to just the one, but it would be unusual if that was the case, an immediate observation is that you potentially score points for Managing Treatments and depending on your capabilities washing and bathing. So I would suggest you have a look at our PIP Claim guide (also on above link), it may help you to present your problems in a different way and also covers how the assessor and the DWP look at things.

Once you have had a look at the guides, if you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Helen

I've been through the guidance issued by the DWP to assessors and can see no reference to the issue you raise, it is possible that I have missed it or that it is in another document, if you can provide a reference that would help.

Even if this phrase appears this does not stop you arguing that it is not applicable, from your original post the activities involved seem to me to fall into distinct categories of operation and application and to my admittedly uniformed view, these would seem to be covered by the two Descriptors rather than just the one.

I am not entirely sure it matters whether the device is classed as a collection device or not, it being one does not limit you to only scoring 2 points, again it is down to you to argue that you need assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. One comment I would make is regard to your original post is that it is clear that you have bowel incontinence but you don't mention that you also have urinary incontinence as well, this may be just an omission but Descriptor (f) requires both to be a problem.

That said, as there do seem to be clear differences between a normal collection device and the one that you use, not least that the former is passive and the latter appears to be active, you might want to include more information on this for the Decision Maker, I would recommend a reasonably short overview, with perhaps a couple of links to more detailed information. The DM is not medically trained so it may also be appropriate to emphasise the practical implications of these differences as well.

Gordon

Brenda wrote: Hi
Have you sent off your Mandatory Reconsidetstion? I'm wondering if you've heard back.
I have permanent nerve damage to my bladder and bowel. I have to be catheterised 4 or more times a day and also have Peristeen. I have been refused PIP again like you with 2 points.
My husband is sending in more evidence for MR but any help would be great

I'm afraid that Helen has not visited the forum since early May.

Gordon