Reassessment of PIP

Scully38

I had my PIP assessmnet in July and received my decision letter in August. I was awarded the care componant (non enhanced rate). On the letter explaining the decision it said that it only used the information from the medical assessment which I attended in June.

When I rang up the DWP and said there's no mention of my doctors or hospital report included in the assessment. DWP explained they didn't have it there even though I spent £100 getting both reports.

On my initial assessment it said I don't qualify for mobility award as I can walk 20 - 50 meters. There was no mention about my osteoarthritis in my knees (grade 4), and not mention of my falling frequently and my knees giving way often and my falling down the stairs due to my knees and my bone spurs irritating my back.

The DWP said I would have to get another letter from the doctor, which I did at a cost of £50. My doctor confirmed in the letter that I had limited mobility and compromised activities of daily living, and that i'm unable to safety, repeatedly or to an acceptable standard walk more than 20 mtrs without my knees giving way and falling would benefit with ongoing supervision and assistance.

The DWP report stated that because I walked from the car park to the building (30 mtrs), that is the reason I don't qualify.

I sent of my doctors report and told them I want the decision reassessed, but not sure how long it takes, and will they take into consideration my doctors report? Or will they ignore it because I 'walked' to the building?

I am nervous because I receive the care component and worry that the assessor will change their mind again. I just feel like it's a gamble. I do need the enhanced mobility component so that I can get a mobility vehicle to put in my scooter for getting about as at the moment apart from going to work, I don't go anywhere because I can't lift my scooter, and have no ramp etc to put it in my car.....

Sorry to have gone on, i'm just really concerned. How long does the reassessment take, and does my doctors report add any weight at all to the decision, or do you think that they'll just ignore it because of the 'walking' to interview. Also is there's a chance they'll take my care component away? I'm just very nervous and need some assurance, and would be grateful for your advice and opinions.

Thanks and apologies for going on a bit.

rogerblack

When, before the decision was the first letter sent?
Post typically takes a couple of weeks to reach them.

Scully38

rogerblack wrote: »

When, before the decision was the first letter sent?
Post typically takes a couple of weeks to reach them.

I applied for PIP in November 2013, and sent my reports and the PIP form. Then had my assessment by ATOS in July and had my decision in August of which I got the lower care element. I rang the the DWP decision people and asked why they hadn't include the reports, they said they couldn't locate them. I told them I wanted a reassessment of my PIP on 22nd August, and received the doctors report on the 18th August. I rang the DWP to fax over the doctors report, but they wouldn't accept any faxes... who knows why.

So, I sent the letter and report by Freepost on the 18th August to the team that was making the decision (as she checked which team was responsible. It was the most bizarre address i've seen with lots of letters and hyphens. I know it's 4 weeks usually to get a decision after the assessment, but don't know the timescales for reassessing the claim, or even if they'll listen to the doctors report.

Diary

Scully38 wrote: »

I applied for PIP in November 2013, and sent my reports and the PIP form. Then had my assessment by ATOS in July and had my decision in August of which I got the lower care element. I rang the the DWP decision people and asked why they hadn't include the reports, they said they couldn't locate them. I told them I wanted a reassessment of my PIP on 22nd August, and received the doctors report on the 18th August. I rang the DWP to fax over the doctors report, but they wouldn't accept any faxes... who knows why.

So, I sent the letter and report by Freepost on the 18th August to the team that was making the decision (as she checked which team was responsible. It was the most bizarre address i've seen with lots of letters and hyphens. I know it's 4 weeks usually to get a decision after the assessment, but don't know the timescales for reassessing the claim, or even if they'll listen to the doctors report.

Just so you know my particular timeline.
29/11/13 applied for PIP
17/03/14 ATOS assessment
22/04/14 Decision enhanced mobility but only 6 points in care component
01/05/14 issued mandatory reconsideration
22/08/14 After involving my MP I got a written apology from DWP for the length of time the MR took and was awarded awarded the extra 2 points in care with mobility staying the same at enhanced rate.

I have to add here as in all my posts on this. I submitted NO medical evidence whatsoever at any stage - I felt it wasn't my remit to chase and pay for dr's reports as ATOS/DWP specifically state on the PIP form they will write to professionals involved with me if they need to. Had I submitted evidence with my mandatory reconsideration it may not have taken as long or even with the original claim I might have been awarded care without the need for mandatory reconsideration. This is the way I and I alone felt was right was me.