Fixed term PIP ending. Told to reapply

Hi BingoBill

Have you asked for a copy of the assessors report called a PA4?

When you have the assessors report, you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.

I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in.

Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said, remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.

Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.

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.

Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this you have already which has resulted in the same result. The next stage is to appeal the decision. You have one month from the date of the MR decision in which to do an in time appeal, the absolute time limit is 13 months with good cause in which to appeal, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

Contact the benefits office that gave you the decision. The contact details will be on your decision letter.

Don't use grey words such as 'likely to worsen over time', or sometimes, when completing a form it should be in black and white.

Has there been a change in your condition from when previous assessed? If it has changed for the worse then say so and explain what has changed, does any one support you, if they do then ask them for a support letter outlying what support they give and why, the why part is the important part.

Gary