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Hesitant about including evidence
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1 month 4 weeks ago #294732 by VIA
Hesitant about including evidence was created by VIA
Hello,
I am hesitant about entering evidence from my GP as despite the fact it gives “current” evidence (I do not have any other current evidence) which I really need as it also describes how it affect my daily living for PIP. I sent my PIP form but wanted to send more relevant evidence.
unfortunately the same document talks about an injury to my foot and that because of it that I “ NOW have difficulties walking” instead of saying that I cannot bear weight on that foot at all, but I still have been having ongoing difficulties walking going on for many years.
I know it is my decision at the end.
I was looking for some advice to see if you would submit that evidence or not.
I could always send that evidence and clarify that when it says I now have difficulties walking, this is not exactly true, as it should read that ‘now I cannot put weight on that foot’.
I can also prove from many sources even specialist I walk very slowly and with difficulty.
Any advice would be welcome.
Many thanks.
Best wishes.
I am hesitant about entering evidence from my GP as despite the fact it gives “current” evidence (I do not have any other current evidence) which I really need as it also describes how it affect my daily living for PIP. I sent my PIP form but wanted to send more relevant evidence.
unfortunately the same document talks about an injury to my foot and that because of it that I “ NOW have difficulties walking” instead of saying that I cannot bear weight on that foot at all, but I still have been having ongoing difficulties walking going on for many years.
I know it is my decision at the end.
I was looking for some advice to see if you would submit that evidence or not.
I could always send that evidence and clarify that when it says I now have difficulties walking, this is not exactly true, as it should read that ‘now I cannot put weight on that foot’.
I can also prove from many sources even specialist I walk very slowly and with difficulty.
Any advice would be welcome.
Many thanks.
Best wishes.
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1 month 4 weeks ago #294736 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Hesitant about including evidence
Hi VIA
This is a decision you will have to make yourself. I can only say that I would never include something that can be misconstrued.
An example I have often given on the forum is that someone I know had a letter from a mental health professional which said, "X is not fit to work at the moment." This was for someone who had severe mental health difficulties, who had been unable to work for more than twenty years and was unlikely to ever work again. The professional was their key worker and was able to provide the most up-to-date evidence for a review form.
We decided not to include the letter with the review form because of the phrase "at the moment". That phrase gave a completely wrong impression, and we knew there was a risk that an assessor or someone at the DWP might think that the claimant's problems were short-term instead of life-long.
Not including the letter as proof of recent contact with mental health services was also a risk, but we decided that was better than putting the letter in. The claimants continued to get the award they had hoped for. Now, was that the right decision? I don't know. We followed our gut instinct. I do know people who have bitterly regretted putting in letters from professionals that have subsequently damaged them.
Only you can decide about your letter and weigh up the pros and cons. I can't say you should send it in or not send it in, but I would say don't underestimate the power of your gut instinct—and if you don't know what to do, follow that.
BIS
This is a decision you will have to make yourself. I can only say that I would never include something that can be misconstrued.
An example I have often given on the forum is that someone I know had a letter from a mental health professional which said, "X is not fit to work at the moment." This was for someone who had severe mental health difficulties, who had been unable to work for more than twenty years and was unlikely to ever work again. The professional was their key worker and was able to provide the most up-to-date evidence for a review form.
We decided not to include the letter with the review form because of the phrase "at the moment". That phrase gave a completely wrong impression, and we knew there was a risk that an assessor or someone at the DWP might think that the claimant's problems were short-term instead of life-long.
Not including the letter as proof of recent contact with mental health services was also a risk, but we decided that was better than putting the letter in. The claimants continued to get the award they had hoped for. Now, was that the right decision? I don't know. We followed our gut instinct. I do know people who have bitterly regretted putting in letters from professionals that have subsequently damaged them.
Only you can decide about your letter and weigh up the pros and cons. I can't say you should send it in or not send it in, but I would say don't underestimate the power of your gut instinct—and if you don't know what to do, follow that.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: VIA, Wendy Woo
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1 month 3 weeks ago #294755 by VIA
Replied by VIA on topic Hesitant about including evidence
Thank you so much BIS,
You know my gut feeling and I did not include them in my previous submission.
And then I thought, seeing I could send extra evidence,, but was hesitant about it, maybe I should include it and explain with lots of letters I move very slow that the Doctor phrased it wrong.
I will not include that evidence, if I was so sure I would not have asked for advice in the first place.
Thank you also for the example you provided.
I will not take any risk.
I will keep you all updated with my pip claim.
Best wishes
VIA
You know my gut feeling and I did not include them in my previous submission.
And then I thought, seeing I could send extra evidence,, but was hesitant about it, maybe I should include it and explain with lots of letters I move very slow that the Doctor phrased it wrong.
I will not include that evidence, if I was so sure I would not have asked for advice in the first place.
Thank you also for the example you provided.
I will not take any risk.
I will keep you all updated with my pip claim.
Best wishes
VIA
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby, Wendy Woo
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