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Initial Assessment report
- terryanne
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7 months 6 days ago #290026 by terryanne
Initial Assessment report was created by terryanne
I'm just about to help a friend do an appeal against a PIP decision.
She has been turned down following MR but the letter makes no reference to having considered her supporting evidence from GP and other professionals nor has she seen the initial assessment report carried out by the health professional apart from a proforma with 0 points for everything
Is this usual? Is there a written report that she should see? Does she have to request a copy?
Thank you to anyone who can give me a clue!
She has been turned down following MR but the letter makes no reference to having considered her supporting evidence from GP and other professionals nor has she seen the initial assessment report carried out by the health professional apart from a proforma with 0 points for everything
Is this usual? Is there a written report that she should see? Does she have to request a copy?
Thank you to anyone who can give me a clue!
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- Gary
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7 months 6 days ago #290033 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Initial Assessment report
Hi terryanne
The first thing you need to do is get 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 appealing the decision 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.
Have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
Once you have produced your submission you can complete the online appeal; www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal.
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.
Gary
The first thing you need to do is get 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 appealing the decision 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.
Have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
Once you have produced your submission you can complete the online appeal; www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal.
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.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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