What now? Failed pip assessment.

Hi dinkmack

Unfortunately we hear your story quite often on the forum and I have seen many clients who have been given zero points at both assessments and MR only to be awarded enhanced at appeals so don't be disheartened. If you can get the decision overturned on a MR then it will be much quicker as appeals can take anywhere between 35 weeks to over 60 weeks before they are listed. There is a wide variation in appeal times across the regions.

With regards to claiming other benefits, you can check by putting your information into one of the online benefit calculators.

www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Remember that if you apply for Universal Credit then you will not be able to go back onto legacy benefits even if you win your appeal/MR.

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;

"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"

than their opinions

"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.

When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help, check out our guides for MR/Appeal.

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

Gary

Hi dinkmack

With no medical back up, no medication and no letter of support from a GP - then yes you will struggle. You say that you have avoided contact with your GP, but your best chance is to access your medical records and see what evidence there is which can back up your claim. Then you need to explain why you have had little contact with your GP and why you don't take any medication to help manage your condition. (Medication is not compulsory - but they will be looking to understand why you don't take it and you would need to explain.) The DWP is often only interested in evidence is three years old, but if you have had long-standing problems and can show it - that will help.

I know you don't want to hear this now - but make sure that you always keep a copy of any dealings with the DWP. As you are finding it's hard to recall things that are now four years old.

BIS

dinkmack

Yes, you can.

Make sure that you tell the DWP that you will be doing this in your request, they should give you an additional 28 days to provide the information although this includes postage time, you should confirm that the time has been allotted by contacting the DWP after the MR has been requested.

Gordon