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pip appeal

My appeal is in July dating back from September when I was almost completely debilated. I have loads of mental issues and a debilitating hormone inbalance. I was also a chronic alcoholic which made things worse.

However since being detoxed from alcohol in the beginning of this month I've started feeling slightly better.

If I go to appeal will they they take into account how I was from September to April 1st or how I am now? And if the appeal was successful will they only backdate money for the past 8 month and not award me pip because of how i am now?
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Comments

  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It is the job of the tribunal to review the DWP decision. So, they will look closely at your condition at the date of that DWP decision.

    However, PIP has a 9 month forward rule - so you need to show that you meet PIP eligibility for 9 months after your application (and 3 months before).
    The panel can look at your variability over these 12 months.
    (Often alcoholism is an indicator of mental health issues, not the cause of poor health. The panel may take this view in your case).

    The panel will also decide on the length of the award and this may well be influenced by how you are now.

    Here are some guides / info which you may find useful:
    http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal
    http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-appeals
    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/your-hearing/

    Info on PIP points, and how they should be interpreted:
    http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547146/pip-assessment-guide.pdf Pages 86 on, and 97-134 are relevant.
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • sunnys8080
    sunnys8080 Posts: 40 Forumite
    What if i don't attend? Are paper appeals succesful?
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sunnys8080 wrote: »
    What if i don't attend? Are paper appeals succesful?

    Much better chance of success if you do attend.
    You can then explain your difficulties directly to the panel, and respond to any queries they have.

    You would need to have presented extremely persuasive relevant medical evidence to the TS for a successful paper hearing. Otherwise the panel are likely to accept the evidence of the PIP assessment in the DWP bundle.
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • densol_2
    densol_2 Posts: 1,189 Forumite
    I won my PIP appeal on paper as too ill to attend. I said nicely in a letter I would prefer to lose than have to attend. I had very decent recent medical evidence. I got enhanced care and standard mobility. This surprised me as I expected just standard care / no mobility.
    Stuck on the carousel in Disneyland's Fantasyland :D

    I live under a bridge in England
    Been a member for ten years.
    Retired in 2015 ( ill health ) Actuary for legal services.
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    densol wrote: »
    I won my PIP appeal on paper as too ill to attend..

    I'm happy you were successful at a paper hearing, it is more likely when the appellant is too ill to attend. I'm sure the tribunal panel took this circumstance into consideration, along with the medical evidence you had submitted.

    However, when an appellant chooses not to attend, the outcome is very often different.
    "The oral hearing is not like a court, it aims to be a process where you are encouraged to put your points across at your own pace to an independent (neutral) panel. If you are unable to do this, you can ask for your appeal to be decided ‘on the papers’ (where a decision is made based solely on the information you and the DWP has provided). The success rate of oral hearings has been estimated at around 50%, and that of paper hearings at 15 – 20%."
    From: https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/benefit-decisions-and-appeals#.WPORS_QrK00
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • sunnys8080
    sunnys8080 Posts: 40 Forumite
    I have sent 3 Endocrinologist reports and my medical history from my gp surgery.
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 16 April 2017 at 4:07PM
    sunnys8080 wrote: »
    I have sent 3 Endocrinologist reports and my medical history from my gp surgery.

    The advantage of attending is that you can explain clearly to the panel how the medical conditions confirmed in your reports caused you difficulties with completing PIP activities reliably.

    TBH often the medical notes / history from your surgery are not terribly helpful. (The best medical evidence is that relating your condition(s) to the PIP activities).
    How many pages was it?
    Did you go through it, write a summary referring to the pages and summarising evidence that relate to the PIP activities?

    Have you read the How to win a PIP appeal guide I linked to in post 2?

    Have you written a submission?
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • sunnys8080
    sunnys8080 Posts: 40 Forumite
    Each dr report was 2 pages. Yes I've written a submission. The tribunal asked the dwp why they think I don't deserve this benefit. The dwp asked them to oppose the appeal etc... with there reasons why I don't deserve it but the tribunal is going ahead. They haven't opposed the appeal.

    I recieved 287 pages of paperwork from the tribunal. I was on pip for a year before they stopped it. My cab adviser has the paperwork but will be giving it back to me after he rings me for an appointment with him.
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's good you are getting help from the CAB.

    I suggest you ask the adviser your question about "What if i don't attend? Are paper appeals succesful?"
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • densol_2
    densol_2 Posts: 1,189 Forumite
    Alice is right - much better chances if you attend. Maybe I was lucky that day - but I could never have attended or spent weeks worrying about attending beforehand. As soon as I submitted the appeal I knew Id never attend. I self harm and would of had no arms left by the end of it :(

    Good luck x
    Stuck on the carousel in Disneyland's Fantasyland :D

    I live under a bridge in England
    Been a member for ten years.
    Retired in 2015 ( ill health ) Actuary for legal services.
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