PIP success

I asked for a review of my PIP entitlement as my conditions had worsened and I had to retire from work after 40 years early due to ill health. I applied in January 2020 and after what appeared to be a pleasant, short telephone assessment I received notification that my PIP award was to remain the same. I asked for a copy of the assessors report and found that she had only looked at two of the 15 medical reports I had sent in with my application. One was dated 2011 and the other was regarding a foot operation I had In February 2020! Her general observations regarding all my current conditions was supportive in the observations section at the start of the report but in the second section where comments were invited from the assessor to indicate what points I would be entitled to completely contradicted the first part of her assessment. It became apparent to me that the assessor decides what award you should get based on this assessment and not the staff at DWP! The assessor was a paramedic and with no disrespect intended, she is not a specialist with the skills and knowledge on various long standing illnesses. I have fibromyalgia, nerve damage after major spine surgery and the aftermath of chemotherapy after breast cancer. A paramedic would not have an insight into any of these problems and deals with immediate threaten to life issues. I asked for a reconsideration and pointed out that the assessor failed to read all of the evidence I had supplied, I pointed out essential information contained in a letter from my GP and pointed out all the contradictions in her report. I have just received the reply and I have been awarded the high mobility rate and the high care rate which they have backdated to January 2020. I would encourage you all to ask for the assessors reports and read them carefully in conjunction with the evidence you supplied. It does appear that not all the evidence you send in is considered and even one sentence in a medical report can make a difference which you can appeal on. As a side note, I did try to get the mobility section on my foggy brain after chemo and forgetfulness and cognitive problems associated with Fibromyalgia regarding following a journey. However, none of this was considered and I got the higher rate due to the distance I can walk without being in considerable pain and having to stop.

Well done Lindsey. Enjoyed reading about your win. Gives many people hope. Good on you for challenging it and perservering.

Very well done Lindsey! You are absolutely correct about how vital it is to get a copy of your report and I'd certainly recommend anyone to get a copy at the earliest possible opportunity so there is time to consider it and challenge it if needed.
I also agree it is very important to check the evidence looked at and both the Daily Living Activities & Mobility Activities sections.
In my case I was able to show that despite all the evidence I had presented (including from my CPN and GP) the ONLY evidence which always justified his 'recommendations' was that which he had written. He didn’t mention anywhere much of the evidence and dismissed any that he did mention. He even dismissed many of the findings of the transfer assessment in 2016. I also discovered that he justified his choice in one descriptor by claiming the functional history he had written said one thing when in fact it said the opposite!
I was fortunate in being able to get my report and complain about it before the decision maker had reached a decision!

Same here, challenge to daughter's assessment before decision successfully overturned assessor's recommendations she based on her own untruths. Roll on the proposed Scottish system, this would get rid of all the weaknesses or worse of people, with no knowledge of the relevant medical and functional issues, pretending to present an assessment superior to the claimant's own Lived Experience.
Denby