What to focus on in Appeal

Hi, sorry this is long but it seems that's how the PIP process is! I just got an MR rejection today and intend to appeal but not sure what to write in the online appeal form.


Timeline of Application

- Pip application started in December 2025
- Telephone Assessment March 2025 (I recorded the call myself)
- I Requested copy of the report.
- Decision made early April – Zero points on all descriptors
- Mid April, complained to Maximus (provided transcript and copy of recording)
- Late April, Maximus did clinical review and concluded ‘likely unreliable descriptors, omissions in all areas including variability, distress not recorded, one health condition not recorded properly, etc.'
- Requested MR April 30th.

- Early May I sent MR evidence with detailed objections for every descriptor and pointing to the recording timestamps which contradicted every bit of the PA4 reasoning and omissions.

- Late July, Nearly 15 weeks went by and I’ve not been contacted once by anyone about my case, I phoned them every 3 weeks or so. At a few points I felt like I was being lied to, as every time I called an action was taken just today or ‘yesterday’ or something was found – such as a GP report which they requested. I went back to my GP to ask them if they’d sent it and they had 3 weeks ago. So I phoned PIP again, and in that one day they’ve miraculously found the GP report and attached it to my account. I feel like through the process, things were only done because I phoned.

On Monday 3rd August I get a DWP call out of the blue at 3pm. A case manager says things like ‘I know you’ve been waiting a long time, we wanted to get it right’. She sounded extremely warm and friendly (what an idiot I was to believe that!). She said this after asking me some security questions and who my bank account was with. She said she was ‘making a decision over the next few days’ . She literally said 'over a few days' . She said I would get a letter in 7-10 days. I felt anxious about this but felt a bit blindsided by the call didn’t know what to say, I was polite and it ended. I didn’t see the point of it and it was hugely anxiety inducing.

I phoned the Pip line on Friday the 7th, an operative said a decision was made on the Monday and letter sent. I thought, how can that be if she was taking a few days? I felt so anxious and sick over the weekend. It’s all I could think about.

So fast forward to today, Monday the 10th and I got my letter; zero points for everything AGAIN! The letter is very generic it just says ‘we decided you can do everything unaided’.

What seems hugely unfair is it says; ‘We considered all the evidence, including the phone call of 03/08/2026’. How can they call you, go through some security questions and decide that’s evidence for all descriptors on two physical conditions and a learning difficulty? How are they allowed not to say it’s part of the assessment?

After 15 weeks of no contact it feels like she’s called right at the end to try and end the case for her own benefit. I literally have my details with me ( bank card etc in my phone case) so I can read them. It makes me think she was testing my memory (as the flawed PA4 said I had ‘good general memory’, but I have low working memory (9th percentile), difficulties with planning and sequencing and numeric information, not long-term memory issues. I had evidence I thought was quite robust including detailed occupational psychologist report, hip specialist referral (waiting to see a surgeon), senior physio notes, private physio notes, pain medication prescription, functional 2 week diary, debt charity notes, photos of aids, fit notes showing my work has reduced to just 5 hours a week, partner letter and photos of aids I've used to carry on working ( for a pathetic 5 hours a week but other wise I would have no income at all). In the original decision they accepted my partner handles bills due to 'memory and concentration issues' but of course, zero points each time. In the MR I went over every descriptor and said how the pain from my hip condition is constant and makes my low working memory worse, I literally have 4 or 5 days where I’m in pain and can’t leave the house, I get so fatigued from ‘normal’ activity ( such as cleaning the house or working) if I do it, I can’t speak, can't cooks or do anything else and sleep all afternoon.

If I had a clinical review from Maximus back in April that said ‘unreliable descriptors’ how has she gone back to Maximus and decided I still don’t score a single point on anything? I am very sceptical that my evidence was actually looked at or she took much time at all to write the decision as it's all completely generic.

I am going to Appeal but don’t know what to focus on, any help would be appreciated.