The Dreaded MR

[ArtfulLyricist]

I think I posted a comment on someone else's thread months ago about having to go through MR, because in my review, they had taken me from enhanced on both elements of PIP down to standard rate on daily living only.

To be honest I was evidently irate in the information I sent back. Igot them to send me the full report first, which was full of lies, misrepresentations and the most ridiculous assumptions based on nothing. I created a table with columns for the points they made that I disputed, my explanation of the disputed point and in between them I had a column to identify whether their response was an inaccuracy (lie), misrepresentation of what I had said or needed clarification from me. Within me disputed of the disputed point, I put what descriptor I thought was more appropriate for my situation, explaining why.

In several places I was VERY forthright and in not so many words, accused the assessor of being simple minded and motivated to get the report out the way so she could earn more money. I ridiculed a system that could remove over £400/ calendar month from someone who had not got any better and in fact had become so much worse since the last assessor had awarded me enhanced in both elements. I honestly did not hold any punches. I didn't swear but I got a eloquently close to it as I could.

Every other time I've been pussyfooting around, trying not to be controversial, but I thought actually, what will happen if I let them have both barrels?

They sent me a text to say they'd received it and would review it on 28/10. A few days later they sent another text saying it would be reviewed on 28/10. By this time, I'd received £710 in my bank with no explanation, so I assumed it was then making up my benefit until they decided. When my PIP was due, I got the full £691 again but still no info on a decision. It was mid October and I was stressed as hell waiting for the end of the monthand when it came, I thought maybe they take time to send out the decision, but I was glad that they had put my money back up in the meantime. Come 4th November, I knocked some mail off where I had placed it for my ex lodger. It seems my new lodger had assumedthat was where mail should go if I'm out as he had put several letters for me on to of that pile. Several looked important so I got busy opening them all and one of them turned out to be the decision letter from DWP, dated 4th October and awarding me enhanced on both until Feb 2024.

I had been fully prepared to go to appealand as the second of the text messages arrived after the date of the letter, perhaps they sent the wrong message and it was supposed to be the one that said 'we've made a decision, you'll get a letter'. My relief was palpable and I could feel the stress leaving my body.

So, it is possible to get a reversal of decision via an MR. Don't give up and let them get away with giving you less than you deserve. God luck with all your applications, reviews, MRs and appeals. I honestly think showing them that you're angry helps get the right decision quickly.

Have a great day.

Toni

[rosewine]

So pleased you managed to get the decision reversed. Yes it is always worth going over something a fine toothcomb. I did the same when I asked for them to reverse their decision on a MR. Imdid more or less the same as you. I also noticed that they had partly based yheir decision on a letter from my GP. I happened to see him that day and queried it as I knee he had always supported my applications in the past and wondered what had changed. He said he hadn't received any correspondence from them so therefore hadn't sent a letter. I said I would be looking forward to the tribunal when they tried to produce a letter that didn't exist. Within 3 days they had reversed the decision.

[Clairelb75]

Good morning, really pleased for you at the outcome but why is the award until Feb 2024 I think that's an extremely short award of only 6 months especially on enhanced for both. I would challenge that aswell, take care

[ArtfulLyricist in reply to Clairelb75]

Oh silly me, that's a typo! It's actually till Feb 26 but I can't find a way to edit the post. We'll spotted though 😃

[Clairelb75 in reply to ArtfulLyricist]

I appealed the length of my award as on both enhanced stating no improvement and they added extra 3 years at MR stage so it does happen, alot of people fear losing their award if challenging length but you can insist that you are only want them to look at award time and not the points.

[ArtfulLyricist in reply to Clairelb75]

That's very useful to know, thank you.

[Noodlenan]

Hi

This is such useful information- I had a telephone assessment last week / it was in a very bad pain day with intense brain fog. I had asked for a cope of the recording. During the assessment I got flustered frequently but at the time thought no more of it - until I played back the recording. Oh my goodness the assessor was so condescending she would ask me a question not give me time to answer it properly invariably spoke over me and I just know the written report will be twisted narrative. So thanks to your post I think I’m going to do the same relating to this assessment in readiness to appeal.

Talk about making an already anxious person suffer.

Thank you so much xx

[ArtfulLyricist in reply to Noodlenan]

They are hateful aren't they? They are either condescending and folk of preconceptions that we must be lying, or they're sweet as pure and make you feel really heard (as mine was) and then their report bears no relation to what was said during the assessment. For instance, my assessor said although I showed audible signs of discomfort, I was able to sit in my chair for the whole appointment. I had told her that I was in bed as the stress of the appointment had brought on a flare and I explained that I couldn't even lie in one position due to the pain so I had to shift position several times, laboriously and noisily. I even apologise for the disruption when I had to move. Just one instance of the complete bo**ox in the report. That's why it's worth getting them to send you the assessor's full report.

Good luck with yours. I was even tempted to appeal on the grounds of the duration of the award (2026, not 2024 as I've put) because most of my conditions will not get any better and I've had them for years but I caved in the end, just happy to have got the money reinstated. Regret that decision a bit, but to late now.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I am very glad too read a positive happy ending , it’s good too share the information here too our other members as any helpful info is a good thing x