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Decision Letter , NO AWARD

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2 months 2 days ago #294590 by Tired MUM
Decision Letter , NO AWARD was created by Tired MUM
So after doing the check thing on here for both PIP and ESA both came back as would qualify. Enhanced PIP and support group ESA.
Didn't apply for ESA, just PIP.
Had phone consultation on 30th August , several times I broke down , apologising for crying, had to take time to try and breath and calm myself. It completely wiped me out. Crying again now just thinking about it,
Decision letter arrived No Award. Scored 2 points on washing and bathing, nothing on mobility.
The letter sounds like it's describing a fit healthy happy person, says I have no issues, says because inflammatory arthritis is suspected not yet confirmed I therefore don't have any problems. I thought it was how it affected you not if you had definitive diagnosis. The letter says the low does of co-codamol only, PX'd by GP shows the "claimed level of severe restriction is inconsistent with the level pain medication and clinical evidence" loads more stuff mentioned that is not right, it's so far from the actual truth it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic. So guess I'll have to ask for copy of report and go from there. Feel absolutely gutted.

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2 months 2 days ago #294593 by BIS
Replied by BIS on topic Decision Letter , NO AWARD
Hi Tried MUM

I'm sorry that you find yourself in this position.

In order to qualify for PIP you have to have had the condition for a minimum of 3 months before you apply and an understanding that it will continue for at least another 9 months afterwards. If a claimant has no firm diagnosis then it is hard to quantify the difficulties they have. Some claimants may have unconfirmed conditions, alongside confirmed ones and therefore they are awarded PIP. I don't know your situation and whether you spoke just about inflammatory arthritis or other conditions as well.

You sound as if you want to put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Gary one of our mods gives this advice:

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 needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

For the CRMR1 form to initiate your MR; www.gov.uk/government/publications/chall...ork-and-pensions-dwp

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.


Hope this helps

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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2 months 2 days ago #294599 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Decision Letter , NO AWARD
Don't., dear Tired MUM, let the [choose your word]s grind you down. This is how they try to 'cut the benefits bill'. Don't stand for it, we all have your back here. I have since , but before my appeal was given a date, had two diagnoses confirmed that were only 'suspected' when I had the assessment.
Can you do an MR, then if necessary appeal, and get the diagnosis confirmed in the lengthy wait meantime? That should help you win, if the diagnosis is consistent with the symptoms affecting your DL and MOB that you put on the form.
Best, Denby
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wendy Woo, Tired MUM

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2 months 2 days ago #294600 by Tired MUM
Replied by Tired MUM on topic Decision Letter , NO AWARD
Hi yes other conditions were listed , ADHD diagnosed 2019, Anxiety mod to severe and mod to severe Depression diagnosed 2019, type 2 diabetes diagnosed 2020 or 21, Hypothyroidism, since 1995. Have been having increasing difficulty with pain, mobility for years constantly told it was my age/weight/in my head, how you are manifesting your anxiety. Having same issues with shoulders elbows hands for years. Eventually threw my dummy out the pram and demanded bloods, tests etc. B12 deficient, not enough for them to treat properly but enough to cause symptoms and damage. Nerve conduction tests on arms, showed severe nerve constriction/damage to both arms/hands. Really strange how you lose sensation and strength have numbness but so much pain. They did carpal tunnel surgery both arms 2019/2020, helped a bit for a while but sensation never fully returned and pain didn't fully go. Two years ago knee went again, have ruptured ACL and PCL few times, had more injections, physio, still having issues. Achilles tendon is calcifying , causes severe pain. Eventually got referral to Rheumy, as pain was awful and apparently she's only interested in my hands, if I want my feet checking I need to be referred to another Rheumy, so I said yes please. She has put me on some hydroxychloroquine which may or may not be helping, All of this was in my evidence, how it affects me . Sorry I'll stop there as I am so upset angry I could go on for ever.

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2 months 2 days ago #294606 by Blueberry Owl
Replied by Blueberry Owl on topic Decision Letter , NO AWARD
Hi Tired Mum

Sorry to hear of your experience.

I’m no expert in this at all but definitely look at following the advice already given.

I would suggest you take a step back slightly as it’s the weekend and nothing can change till Monday.

On Monday apply for an MR and this will be the start of trying to change your outcome.

Then look at your claim and deal with it in bite size manageable pieces. Concentrate on where you have missed out or been marked down on and where you think it is wrong.

Don’t waste time on things you would not score for or would not score higher.

Take a break from it from time to time but being mindful of deadlines.

Difficult one next - take the emotion out of it. It will cloud your thinking. Pretend you are looking at someone else’s and not yours. Then pick it apart as needed.

It’s an awful system and if you get really stuck contact a local advice agency I.e Citizens Advice who may be able to help also.






Don’t waste energy on things you would not score on or score higher.
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2 months 1 day ago #294609 by Tired MUM
Replied by Tired MUM on topic Decision Letter , NO AWARD
Had a little glass of red, deep breath, and going to try to ignore it all till Monday. Just tired, very tired fighting eldests eviction, no 2 landlord is little hitler who is a bully. Fighting services for kids , just bloody worn out.

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