Turned down for PIP, even though I was previously getting it for the last 7 years!

[MissyCat]

So I was getting PIP with a mobility score of 10 out of 12, but then had a telephonic review and had sent off all my evidence showing that my FM and osteoarthritis is getting worse. However, the result of this review came back with a score of ZERO!! Can anyone tell me what they're playing at at the DWP?! I'm so upset and angry about this and of course I'm appealing. I've contacted my doctor, my physio, FMA UK and my MP, does anyone know who else I can contact to back me up in my appeal?

[Sillysausage234]

That’s unbelievable ...did you get a copy of the report with reasons why?

[MissyCat in reply to Sillysausage234]

Yes, it was all laid out but none of what was written by this person who refused my claim was true. It was like I was reading about someone else!

[Hidden in reply to MissyCat]

Mine said that I could run up my steep stairs. 🙄

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Sorry to hear this ...I believe there was a court case where the judge stated that if an existing pip award was reduced or removed, the DWP has to explain how they came to conclusion the persons condition has improved. I'll try and find a link to it tomorrow

[MissyCat in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you 😊 As everyone who has made a claim knows, I'm on a strict timetable to get my response to them and I just hope I can get them altogether as soon as possible!

[Jam1861 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

I would like to see this as well I have just got my review form

[waylay in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

I think that was for people transferring from DLA, but not certain

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to waylay]

Possibly. I've not managed to find the link I wanted, but will keep looking

[rubycheshire]

This happened to me. It was only when I started asking questions that I found out that they did not contact any doctors or consultants or apply for any medical records. Absolutely appeal but make sure you send copies of ALL your reports and even if things change at the last minute, you have 7 days beforehand to add any changes in conditions etc. Hope this helps and lots of good luck be with you.

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to rubycheshire]

Hi ruby, I may be wrong I usually am 😂 Has far has im aware its down to the person making the claim to supply all the relevant information and reports. DWP do not contact doctors or specialists only under special circumstances. They then have to send in a written request. With out this my GP told me due to patient confidentiality she would never just discuss my health issues over the phone with DWP or anyone. Also I'm guessing the DWP would get billed for any paper work. So it is normal practise to my knowledge for the DWP not talk to a GP etc.

Also I'm guessing it would be impossible for them to do with so many people claiming benefits. I'm ready to stand corrected. Stay warm and safe xx

Momo

[mattjoachim in reply to Dizzytwo]

They contacted my GP and asked for a factual report. It is usually only in cases where you appeal or ask for an MR that they then would contact your GP who name you have put on the form when you applied for PIP In my case i very happy they contacted my GP as at MR they awarded me enhanced rate for care and mobility with an ongoing award. I had send on a letter from my GP detailing the problems I have with my care and mobility with my form in the first place but it looks like they never looked at it and when they wrote to my GP for a factual report it was only confirming what she had put on her original letter she had supplied me with when I sent my forms

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to mattjoachim]

Hi there, yes if you re check what I posted. I did say they made contact with GP etc under certain circumstances. But this is not the normal thing for everyone im afraid.

I think what Farmerboy posted below is more the normal thing.

[mattjoachim in reply to Dizzytwo]

Yes but I trying to point out I supplied them with letter from my GP hospital letters from hospital Rheumatologist with my forms in the first place and the letter from Rheumatologist stated I needed help with certain activities like e.g. dressing and undressing yet this was ignored and they wrote to my GP for a factual report and she was only confirming what she had put on letter she supplied me with when I sent my forms in

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to mattjoachim]

Yes I totaly understand what you say. But ruby questioned that the DWP did not contact their medical team for reports.

You then said they contacted your health team. All I tried to say is this is not normally what the DWP do.

I'm happy you was one they did go that extra mile for and got in touch with your doctor xx

[Hidden in reply to Dizzytwo]

I was told that they rarely contact the people you put on your form 🙄

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, thats what I was trying to explain to ruby. They do it when they have no choice. But from what ive heard and from my own personal experience this is not what they do im afraid.

[Hidden in reply to Dizzytwo]

They told me that they contact maybe one out of 100. It'd be easier if they did contact them.

[mattjoachim in reply to Hidden]

Did who ever told you that information mean 1 in a 100 PIP applications or 1 in 100 who start an MR process after not agreeing with an award or 1 in a 100 who after going through an MR process and are now going to Tribunal.

[Hidden in reply to mattjoachim]

You missunderstood me. They contact the professionals in about 1 in 100 cases. I was told that when I phoned and asked why didn't they contact the people listed on my form.

[mattjoachim in reply to Hidden]

T he likelihood of them contacting your Gp increase if you not satisfied with their award decision and the DWP were told they need to get more decisions right at MR stage so there less Tribunals and appeals so they are way more likely to contact your GP after you make an aMR or appeal against a decision lot of people get the right decision at the first time so no need to contact your GP . So who ever said 1 in a hundred did they mean at Pip application stage or at MR stage or at the stage before a Tribunal hearing as the Tribunal may ask for your medical records

[mattjoachim in reply to Hidden]

It only costs the DWP 35 pounds to get a factual report from your GP far cheaper at MR stage to do that than go to Tribunal and your GP has a duty to fill that factual report and does not have to let you know that they have done so either Hospital reports cost the DWP a little bit more but your GP might enclose any in their report if they wish to do so . Have you ever see a factual report i have seen mine as I requested it through subject access from the DWP So the likelihood of DWP contacting your GP is far higher than I in a hundred if you ask for an MR

[Farmerboy in reply to rubycheshire]

Hello, the DWP received your PIP application form and forw4it to the assessment to the assessment company. The assessors one of was given your application and conducted the assessment based on the application information and the evidence you submitted with the application form. It is up you me and the claiment to include upto date medical information. We all get letters after a hospital appointment detailing what was diagnosed, treated ect. It is up toy you, me and others to keep safe for copying and send to the DWP with our application form. The DWP or assessment company seldom if ever contact your listed health professionals.. The decision maker reads your assessment report from the assessment company and awards your mine PIP award going by the assessment report recomdations assumptions opinions given by the assessor who carried out the phone or face to face assessment.

[mattjoachim in reply to Farmerboy]

The most inportant thing thata hospital letter can have written on it is what you need help with more important than diagnosis or medication and my Rheumatologist had stated that in a letter to my GP a copy of that letter was sent with my PIP forms in the first place but seem to have been ignored that is the reason they changed my award at MR as writing to my GP was only a cover up for something they should have looked at in the first place

[Farmerboy in reply to mattjoachim]

Seldom or ever will a hospital write on a hospital diagnosis letter what help or assistance will or be required, needed when the patient is discharged or after receiving a diagnosis, routine treatment. How would they know. They the clinic staff may verbally ask have you got somebody to be with you are your returning home.

[mattjoachim in reply to Farmerboy]

You are wrong I see my Rheumatologistevery 3 months and on a visit 18 months ago I asked her for a letter she asked me what I wanted it for and I told her andsaid she be writing back to my GP anyway so she asked me what help I needed and had my GP assesses my care needs she said i can mention this in my letter and that exactly what she done . As she also explained on that letter restrictions on medication treatments because of Diabetes and Chronic kidney Disease. She also put on that letter i attended with my son and I needed help dressing and undressing and having trouble mobalisising. The reason I asked her for the letter is because I found her very approachable and easy to talk to more so that my own GP and other specialists I am under

[Farmerboy in reply to mattjoachim]

You asked your Rheumatologist for a letter letter stating what help you need or required. You only received a letter after requesting it and asked the reason for the request. This is not the normal practice of health professionals. So I stand by my previously posted comments.

[mattjoachim in reply to Farmerboy]

What you mean i explained the reason why I asked her for it and what she put on it I sure if she did not want to or was not allowed to she would have explained that to me. She even spoke to me about rughby as she is from South Africa and was talking to me about irish rugby she was very well up on that sport

[mattjoachim in reply to mattjoachim]

When the DWP asked for a factual report from my GP they sent the form to my Gp to fill out but the IAS put a letter in with that form also asking my GP 6 specific questions

[waylay in reply to rubycheshire]

They don't usually contact your doctors.

[angelm54]

It’s ridiculous, neither of those things ‘get better’ or improve and they know this, just get all your doctors reports etc, my sister in law has had a pacemaker and definitely for years and has had open heart surgery and yet they turned her down after years of being on it, they do tend to uphold appeals , she got hers back but it took 3 months , good luck x

[angelm54 in reply to angelm54]

That should have said pace maker and defib x

[Hidden]

Appeal, appeal, appeal!!!

[Country-gal]

Hi Missy sometimes if you're income is to high they will also refuse you for that reason! I'd look into finding out why they turned you down after already being on it that long! I'm glad you're fighting it!

[waylay in reply to Country-gal]

This is absolutely not true. PIP is non-means-tested.

[Hidden]

I’m so angry that they have done this to you..... I’m really scared atm as mine is up for renewal.... and will prob also have a telephone review....

Get as much evidence as humanly possible to back up your FUNCTIONAL RESTRICTIONS..... go through each ‘activity’

I went from 0 points last time I had a DWP review to .... wait for it... Enhanced both at tribunal.... took 2.5 years... horrible stressful upsetting time...

DO NOT GIVE UP...... (also scream very loudly)....

Take care xxxx

[Hidden]

BTW my condition had also deteriorated and my meds increased.... go figure!!

[MissyCat in reply to Hidden]

Same here! I was getting it just on my FM at the time. Since then I developed osteoarthritis on my right knee. Had an operation on it that didn't work so my mobility is even worse now! Yes, I screamed very loudly. Picked the whole thing apart and commented on every single thing! Put a pain journal with it. More evidence and details of my GP, my physio, my rheumatologist, my employer and of my Member of Parliament! Hopefully that will give some clout. I wrote to my MP before I did this. It's taken me all week and it's now in the post. So on a wing and a prayer....!

[Farmerboy in reply to MissyCat]

Hello it sounds great contacting your MP over not being awarded pip, what can he or she do to help your claim . The MP doesn’t know you personally or how your health issues affect you on a daily basis how would he or she unless they spend a week with you 24/7. We you and I have to submit evidence to support our claims in relation to the PIP descriptors/ activities showing our inabilities to preform each descriptor repeatedly,safely and in a timely manner.

[Hidden]

Best of luck xx

[MissyCat]

So good news! My appeal was successful and I've got my PIP award back! Thank you to everyone who was able to give me such good advice. Gentle hugs to everyone and stay safe. Xx

[Hidden]

Yay!!!! Phew!!!

Breathe xxxx